A new report by Garmin sheds some light into how Europeans are exercising during the Covid-19 pandemic. Unsurprisingly, data shows a steep increase in the numbers of people exercising indoors and engaging in social distancing-friendly sports such as running and cycling.
The global pandemic and active lifestyles
The report, which is made of up data collected from people wearing Garmin smartwatches, focused on the five European countries worse affected by Covid-19: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
Running
People have been using treadmills in countries with the tightest restrictions, such as Italy and Spain. ‘Italians, Spaniards are uploading indoor running activities in record numbers, with respective country increases of 130 per cent and 84 per cent,’ the report says.
Garmin report offers insight into how the UK is working out during lockdown, Keely Hodgkinson: Sports Personality of the Year, the report shows runners have been staying closer to home and avoiding long distances. In the UK, treadmill running is down 50 per cent since the start of lockdown.
On April 14, there were approximately 50 per cent more outdoor runs recorded in the UK than there were on March 9. And in Germany – there were approximately 90 per cent more outdoor runs reported on April 14 than on February 1.
Cycling
Indoor cycling is also increasingly popular. In Spain and Italy, Garmin reports a respective increase of 273 and 309 per cent in indoor cycling.
‘A large portion of indoor cyclists are virtually riding with smart trainers such as those made by Tacx.’ They might not be able to meet in the real world, but cyclists are riding together virtually by using third-party platforms such as Zwift.
Garmin report offers insight into how the UK is working out during lockdown, where restrictions aren’t as severe, there has been a huge increase in outdoor cycling. In Germany, Garmin reports a 153 per cent increase.
Home workouts
Another notable increase can be seen in the numbers of home workouts being logged into Garmin devises, such as elliptical workouts, indoor rowing, stair- machine sessions and strength training.
Garmin reports that, ‘Italy has seen a 105 per cent increase in fitness-equipment activities, 93 per cent for Spain and 80 per cent for France.’
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Other activities, such as floor climbing, have also seen surges, with home staircases becoming the new daily gym classes for many. In Spain, climbing stairs as a physical activity has increased by 900 per cent, making it one of the most popular activities to do during lockdown.
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