Rising Prices Make Home Training the 'Trend'..."Escape Summer Weight Gain Before the Season"

11st, Treadmill Sales Up 37%
Exercising at Home Due to Cost Burden
Demand for Diet Foods Soars

Office worker Choi Jin-hyeok (35) purchased chicken breast and diet shakes from an online mall ahead of summer. With mask mandates and other quarantine measures lifted, he has begun focusing on body shaping in earnest. Choi said, "Salaries aren't increasing, but prices keep rising endlessly," adding, "This year, I plan to lose weight through home training (home training) and dietary therapy."

Dumbbells and foam rollers sold on Gmarket.
Photo by Gmarket.

Recently, more people have been purchasing diet products and managing their weight at home. This is because the high inflation continues and consumption is shrinking, leading to a preference for home training over gyms.

According to 11st on the 29th, from the 1st to the 23rd of this month, treadmill sales increased by 37% compared to the previous month, barbells by 34%, gym balls by 28%, dumbbells by 18%, and hula hoops by 18%. In particular, men in their 40s accounted for the highest proportion of health product sales at 23%. This was followed by men in their 50s (16%), women in their 40s (14%), men in their 30s (13%), and women in their 50s (10%). On Gmarket, sales growth rates were high for stretching rods at 502%, yoga and Pilates wear at 99%, weight equipment at 48%, and yoga and Pilates supplies at 20%. On SSG.com, sales of horseback riding and vibration exercise machines increased by 95%, treadmills by 62%, barbells and dumbbells by 40%, and hula hoops and jump ropes by 15%. On Kurly, massage balls (52%), TwistX (25%), and yoga mats (13%) sold well.

Demand for diet foods has also increased significantly. On 11st, sales of enzyme diet foods rose 28% compared to the previous month, and weight control shakes increased by 11%. Diet food purchases were highest among women in their 40s (24%), women in their 50s (16%), women in their 30s (14%), men in their 40s (12%), and men in their 50s (10%). On Gmarket, diet food sales increased by 24%, and protein shakes by 10%. On SSG.com, diet and beauty sales grew by 26%. On Kurly, protein health functional foods (32%), diet health functional products (16%), and nuts (11%) sold well, and among salads, products containing roasted sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and chicken breast ranked high.

Each company has launched campaigns targeting diet demand. SSG.com is holding a popular health equipment product event until the 4th of next month. Representative products include the Igojin indoor bicycle with up to 18% discount and Spotler's repackaged or refurbished products with up to 31% discount. Lotte On continuously holds a fitness special exhibition, showcasing exercise equipment such as indoor cycles and treadmills all in one place.

An official from the distribution industry said, "As the early heat arrives, diet demand is rapidly increasing, and home training is emerging as the trend amid high inflation," adding, "More people are purchasing exercise equipment, diet foods, and protein shakes."