SINGAPORE - Home exercise equipment flew off the shelves this year when gyms and fitness studios were either closed or saw group sizes reduced during heightened curbs.

Fitness buffs splashed out thousands of dollars to build home gyms, so they could keep up their workout routines from the comfort of their homes and limit their exposure to Covid-19.

Sports retailer Decathlon Singapore recorded a 190 per cent spike in sales of cross-training bands and toning bands from January to July, and a 57 per cent increase in sales of dumbbells, kettlebells and weight sets in the same period.

There was also a 290 per cent jump in the sales of cross-training and bodybuilding sport equipment from May 8 to 30, during the phase 3 heightened alert period when gyms and fitness studios were closed.

Mr Mave Goh, commercial leader at Decathlon Singapore, said people were more willing to invest in home equipment that they could use during Covid-19 restrictions.

The retailer's most popular items were smaller ones such as resistance bands and dumbbells as they are cheaper and easier to fit in homes.

Sporting goods store Gymsportz noted an average growth of 20 to 30 per cent in sales of home gym equipment since May last year. Its customers were mostly working adults aged 25 to 40.

Some bought a compact set-up consisting of a bench, mat and a pair of dumbbells, while others who wanted a more comprehensive set-up of both strength and cardiovascular workout equipment opted for a treadmill, spin bike, bench, mat and pair of dumbbells.

At fitness goods shop HomeGym, the sales of workout equipment was 21 per cent higher in the first half of this year compared with the second half of last year. Popular items include spin bikes, treadmills, power racks, multi-functional trainers, dumbbells and weights, said co-founder Keith Chiang.