Research

Adherence

Individuals previously engaged in resistance training can maintain participation during lockdown-induced facility closures by adapting to home-based modalities (bodyweight, minimal equipment) and full-body routines, though this adaptation is associated with reduced perceived effort, enjoyment, and motivation.

If your gym is closed, don't stop training. You can maintain your resistance training habits at home by switching to bodyweight exercises or using whatever equipment you have. Expect that it might feel easier and less enjoyable than before, and that your motivation might dip. This is normal. Focus on consistency rather than trying to replicate the exact intensity or equipment of your gym sessions. Most people can keep training even with these constraints.

ModerateQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
A majority of individuals (82.8%) maintained participation in some form of RT during- lockdown... individuals were slightly less likely to plan or record training during- lockdown and many changed their training goals as a result of lockdown. Additionally, perceived effectiveness, enjoyment, and likelihood of continuing current training were all lower during- lockdown.
James Steele et al. · 2020

Why this rating

Large sample size (n=5389) and rigorous statistical modeling (GEE), but relies on self-reported cross-sectional data during a specific crisis period.

Source

The impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) related public-health measures on training behaviours of individuals previously participating in resistance training: A cross-sectional survey study

James Steele et al. · 2020

DOI 10.31236/osf.io/b8s7e

cross_sectional · n=5389Cited 11×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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