Facing quarantine, Canadians are searching for new ways to exercise without going out

Over the last week, you might have noticed that your regular training route is a but busier than usual. It seems like more and more people are getting out for runs, and while this might be thanks to the start of spring, it’s likely due to COVID-19 self-isolation and social distancing.  

The Globe and Mail reports that since the coronavirus pandemic began, Canadians have been in search of fitness gear.

The Globe spoke with John Stanton, founder of the Running Room, whose stores have reduced their hours across the country amid the coronavirus outbreak. The Running Room website, though, has been bustling with activity. Stanton took a guess (a conservative one, he said) and said since last Thursday, online sales have jumped at least 25 per cent.

From coast to coast, Canadians have been sent home, either to work remotely or wait out the virus. Gyms, pools and all other facilities closed in the last week, leaving people to work out on their own, and the New York Times says “a running boom is taking off.” The Running Room is not the only company to see a boost in sales following this boom.

The Great Life Fitness Store in B.C. told The Globe it has seen at least double its normal sales numbers, specifically for strength-training equipment, and the store is running out of product because of the sudden constant demand. Toronto’s fitness equipment store Physical Assets has also received nonstop calls and requests for gear.

Even Canada’s elite are jumping on the at-home fitness craze, like Rio Olympian Jess O’Connell. O’Connell bought an elliptical machine off Kijiji for some indoor workouts in the coming weeks.

No matter what you choose, whether it’s a run, an at-home core routine or to lift some weights, fitting a workout into your daily schedule is never a bad call.

posted Friday March 20th
by Ben Snider-McGrath