On average, more than 180,000 people a month type “home workout” into the Google search bar. Of course, working out at home has grown exponentially in lockdown as gyms and leisure facilities remain closed.
Interested in the fitness habits of Brits in lockdown, GolfSupport.com sought to find out what fitness equipment has been bought most in the last 90 days and how often we are really using it! Plus, the golf experts spoke with Robert Leat, online trainer at Robert Leat Fitness, for exclusive tips on how to stay motivated working out at home.
GolfSupport.com surveyed 3,446 British people and found:
- 61% of Brits have bought fitness equipment in lockdown
- Yoga Mats, Dumbbells and Resistance Bands are the three most purchased items
- Brits name keeping fit (80%), closed gyms (50%) and TikTok (23%) as their biggest workout inspirations
- Almost 40% of Brits admit they RARELY use the fitness equipment they have bought
- Brits blame skipping workouts on laziness (52%), not knowing technique (23%) and distractions (19%)
The most popular fitness equipment bought in lockdown is:
| Equipment | % Brits that have bought it in lockdown |
| Yoga Mat | 46% |
| Dumbbells | 42% |
| Resistance Bands | 42% |
| Kettlebell | 17% |
| Yoga Strap | 13% |
| Barbell | 8% |
| Balance Ball | 8% |
| TRX Bands | 8% |
| Yoga Block | 4% |
| Weighted Jump Rope | 4% |
Not only do 204,190 Brits Google it on average each month, but GolfSupport.com can reveal the humble Yoga Mat is the fitness equipment bought most in lockdown! In fact,46% of Brits surveyed admitted they had bought a Yoga Mat in the last 90 days. While other blossoming yogis went one step further to purchase a Yoga Strap (8%) and Yoga Block (4%.)
Dumbbells and Resistance Bands tie in second place for the most popular fitness equipment bought in lockdown (42%), while Brits keen to perfect their swing place Kettlebell (17%) in third.
HOWEVER, GolfSupport.com can reveal, while the 10 items listed above have been bought most, some items have been used more than others…
| Most Frequently Used Equipment (at least 3 times a week on average) | Least Frequently Used Equipment (at least once a week on average or not at all) |
| Dumbbells | Yoga Block |
| Barbell | Balance Ball |
| Kettlebell | Yoga Strap |
| Resistance Bands | TRX Bands |
| Yoga Mat | Weighted Jump Rope |
Bearing this in mind, GolfSupport.com asked Robert Leat, online trainer at Robert Leat Fitness, to share 9 top tips on how to stay motivated working out at home.
“It can be difficult to stay motivated at home, it’s not the gym you are used to and there are lots of distractions, so why not give these 9 tips a go!”
1. Have a structured routine
Make sure to have a workout plan that you follow when you exercise that outlines what exercises to do, how many reps and sets etc. Try to do workouts at the same time and same day as this will help it to become a routine habit.
2. Make a dedicated space
Have a space in your home that is your “home gym” where you work out. For me, it’s the living room or garden (depending on the weather.) I’ve put my resistance bands and kettlebells downstairs so every time I walk In I am reminded about working out.
3. Stick it in your calendar
Treat doing a workout as an appointment with yourself. Write your workouts in the calendar like you do doctors’ appointments and work commitments.
4. Video call with friends
I am more likely to do a workout if I am doing it with someone else, so get creative with video calls. Use something like Zoom, Google Hangouts or Houseparty and do a lockdown workout with your friends.
5. Crank up the music
Being at home means you can listen to whatever music you want as loud as you want, music is linked heavily to improved performance with exercise.
6. Just do a few minutes
Try doing just 5 minutes of exercise, or concentrating on just one exercise, and see how you feel. If you aren’t feeling it, end the workout there and try again later. Once you find your rhythm, extend by another 5 minutes as your fitness improves and build from there!
7. Find out what you enjoy doing
Figure out what type of exercise you enjoy and do more of that. It might be running, HIIT, bodyweight training or yoga. If you enjoy something you are more likely to want to do it.
8. Have a clear goal
Why are you exercising? How does it make you feel? What do you want to achieve and when by? Answer these questions and that will help you to stay motivated.
9. Hire a coach
If you are struggling, why not hire an online coach to work with you. An online coach will hold you accountable for your goals and help you to implement a workout programme that works for you. useful.