Two months ago,before the world became a carousel of ever-tightening restrictions,shutdowns and lockdowns,Brock Ashby,one of Australia’s most successful personal trainers,was regularly flown overseas by wealthy clients.
The 26-year-old was an exemplar of Australia’s booming fitness industry,which boasted nearly 3500 gyms nationwide and at least 26,000 registered personal trainers.
Hardly anyone saw COVID-19 coming,so gyms,like most businesses,have had to be nimble to survive. Many have offered virtual spin and circuit classes via the group video app,and one-on-one training in the home via Skype and Facebook Live,allowing some of their clients to take bikes and hand weights home.
Ashby’s core business had already shifted to virtual training,so he was better placed than many when gyms shut their doors and exercise equipment in parks was cordoned off. “Because training online is more affordable,you can build a larger client base,” says Ashby,who has undertaken plenty of preparatory grunt work.
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