Gym-Goers Forced Home Are Missing More Than Workouts, Survey Reveals

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Most former gym-goers believe they’ve missed important news events due to closures, meanwhile 92% of people using social media as their main news source report an increase in stress.

GREENWICH, Conn., October 27, 2020 – March 2020 not only marked a halting point to ‘normalcy,’ but also to the daily routine that many thrive on. For those who exercise, particularly at gyms, this routine was (and for many, still is) at a standstill. MYXfitness, the smarter, simpler home-fitness solution, commissioned an October 2020 survey of 2,000 U.S. adults who exercise regularly to explore how Americans’ news consumption is impacting their mental health, while exercise is helping decrease stress and anxiety.  

Gym Closures Have Widely Affected News Consumption
Among former gym-goers, nearly 8 in 10 report having typically consumed news while at the gym, with more than half (53%) saying they believe they’ve missed out on important news during COVID-19 shutdowns. Meanwhile, 64% of people consuming news daily are turning to social media as their primary source of news, with Facebook (88%), Instagram (44%) and Twitter (38%) representing the most turned-to platforms.

Turning to Social Media for News Has Proven Stressful During Election Season

In this disruptive political climate, 92% of people consuming news primarily through social media find it stressful. They attribute this increased stress primarily to bias (61%), accuracy concerns (54%), an excess of opinions (40%) and increased negativity (40%). The increase in political content further fuels existing concerns about the validity of news from social sources. This year, more than half (53%) unfollowed someone on social media due to a political disagreement, and nearly half (45%) have withdrawn support from a public figure due to offensive and/or objectionable political opinions.

Exercise Is the Preferred Outlet For Stress and Anxiety During COVID-19 and Election Season
Since COVID-19 hit, roughly half (48%) of people report an increase in exercise, with 96% agreeing that it’s attributing to a decrease in stress and anxiety. Among those working from home, 67% say they’re exercising during working hours and in the absence of a commute, half of remote workers use exercise to close out their day. 

Coinciding with survey results, MYXfitness announced a partnership with the national news network, Newsy, Newsy provides MYX members straightforward, opinion-free, 24/7 news streaming from MYX’s 21.5” HD swivel screen, while simultaneously displaying real-time heart-rate data for a smarter workout every time.

“For gym-goers, COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on how they consume news during this pivotal election year,” said Heberto Calves, President of MYXfitness. “Balancing staying informed, while having an outlet for daily stress and anxiety is what going to the gym was about for a lot of people. The work and work-out from home lifestyle creates new real-life challenges, and this is one we’ve moved fast to address as members modify their daily routines. We partnered with Newsy to give access to bias-free news while members hit their workout at home, providing a way to stay informed, while minimizing the increased stress associated with consuming news solely within a social feed.” 

To learn more, visit MYXfitness.com.

For Newsy’s full programming lineup, visit newsy.com/tv-schedule/.

MYX Media features (Newsy, Mat Chats, Coach Diaries and Scenic Rides) go live October 27, 2020. For interviews, access to content or demos please contact [email protected]. 

Methodology
MYX surveyed 2,000 Americans who exercise regularly in partnership with panel provider Rep Data. The survey was fielded from October 7 - 8, 2020.