New research from Better has revealed how Swansea and the rest of the UK have been combatting loneliness and anxiety since the pandemic, with around 1 in 2 people saying they still feel lonely since restrictions lifted.
94% say they’ve experienced benefits from exercise, saying that either going to a gym, swimming pool, taking an exercise class, or taking part in a group sport has helped with at least one the following:
- Improved their mental health (59%)
- Made them feel energised and boosted (48%)
- Made me feel calmer and more relaxed (38%)
- Made me feel part of my community (20%)
- Made me feel less lonely (20%)
Better revealed its top 10 most popular fitness classes, and showed that when compared to pre-pandemic numbers there is now no significant difference, as people are striving to get back to normality and the same classes they found beneficial before.
Based on search trends in Swansea, pilates and yoga came out on top, with pilates seeing a 133% rise over the past year:
| Fitness Class | Swansea Monthly Search Volume | TikTok Views |
|---|---|---|
| Pilates | 210 | 968.9 million |
| Yoga | 170 | 11.9 billion |
| Zumba | 90 | 6.1 million |
| HIIT | 30 | 884.5 million |
| Circuit Training | 30 | 21.6 million |
| Aqua Aerobics | 20 | 2.2 million |
| Dance Fitness | 10 | 161.4 million |
Better also spoke to Welsh personal trainer, Wayne Harvey, who told of his experience of gymgoers over the past few months and years, how exercise trends have shifted and how members have been impact by mental health worries.
He said: “There seems to be a significant rise in gymgoers coming in with mental health issues. We need to be aware of underlying issues and have empathy for the difficulties to ensure we have an abundance of energy to inspire them and convince them of the benefits of their fitness!
“Online classes had been popular throughout lockdown but as soon as gyms opened back up there has been a need to go back to a more social environment and workout with others which helps people’s motivation.”
