"This Year, Escaping Pandemic Weight Gain"... Home Workout Equipment and Diet Foods in High Demand

Home Workout Equipment Sales Surge on 11st
Treadmills Up 178%, Exercise Bikes Up 69%
Diet Foods Also in Demand... Gmarket Sales Rise 14%

[Asia Economy, Reporter Lim Chunhan] Park (31), an office worker, recently purchased a stepper (a stair-climbing exercise machine) with the goal of escaping the so-called "pandemic weight gain." Considering that the price was less than 100,000 won, he calculated that it was a more reasonable option than registering for a gym. Park said, "Since last year, I've been stuck at home due to COVID-19, and naturally, I've gained weight. If I keep going like this, I think I'll hit 100kg. So I make sure to work out whenever I have time every day."

According to major online shopping malls as of February 6, sales of home workout equipment have been steadily increasing. According to 11st, from January 1 to February 2, sales of treadmills surged by 178% year-on-year, exercise bikes by 69%, and weight training equipment such as dumbbells by 68%. At Gmarket, treadmill sales increased by 73%, exercise bikes by 105%, and weight training equipment by 35% over the same period.

With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, home workouts have become essential among younger people. The spread of remote work and staying at home have raised concerns about weight management. As the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines brings the prospect of returning to daily life, many are turning their attention to "body management."

The difficulty of going to the gym right now has also played a role. For office workers, the biggest obstacle is the restriction on the operation of multi-use facilities after 9 p.m. Even if this restriction is lifted, anxiety about COVID-19 remains. Choi (33), who lives in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, said, "After work, I can't make it to the gym before 9 p.m., and it's also hard to exercise while wearing a mask. So I bought a stationary bike for home workouts. By laying down a noise-reducing mat, I don't have to worry about noise between floors."

There has also been a marked increase in demand for diet foods such as chicken breast and salads. According to 11st, from January 1 to February 2, sales of chicken breast increased by 14% year-on-year, diet supplements by 16%, and salads by 43%. At Gmarket, sales of diet foods such as canned chicken breast, diet bars, and dietary fiber increased by 14% during the same period.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.