Home workouts boosts fitness equipment sales amid epidemic

Home fitness equipment has seen a boost in sales across China since the outbreak of COVID-19, as more people started to work out at home.

Statistics from China's e-commerce giant JD.com show that the sales of jump ropes and dumbbells increased by more than 50 percent year-on-year during the Chinese Lunar New Year, while rowing machines and yoga mats experienced a more than 100 percent surge in sales.

According to a recent report released by Pinduoduo, another leading e-commerce platform, sales of fitness equipment including push-up bars, power twisters and stretch ropes rose sharply in the past two months.

As positive signs started emerging in the battle against the epidemic, several sporting goods stores in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were back on track and benefited from the rising demand for home gym equipment.

"Although our business hours are shorter than usual, sales of indoor fitness goods increased rapidly," said Wang Peng, staff of Hohhot Datong Sporting Goods Store. "Some products have to be replenished almost every other day," he added.

Analysts said that fitness fans and home sports participants contributed to the surge in sales of gym equipment.

"Many gym enthusiasts choose to exercise at home as most gyms are still closed now. Moreover, a rising number of people begin to build up their bodies indoors as a lifestyle choice to strengthen immunity," said Yu Guangjun, director of the Institute of Economics of Inner Mongolia Academy of Social Sciences.

He predicts the sports equipment market may expand further in the near future.