Gyms flex muscles at government
As they itch to get back to action, fitness facilities prioritise safety, writes Somaya Stockenstroom
Gym employees are some of the hardest hit financially by the COVID-19 pandemic since they had to close shop under the Disaster Management Act when the lockdown started in March.
But since level three regulations have been altered to include spas and salons, gym houses are questioning why they can only operate under level one of the national lockdown.
United Gyms and fitness facilities are the latest to fight the government in court to have this decision reversed.
An urgent interim court application was filed by the chairperson United Gyms, Rudolph van der Westhuizen, to have the Western Cape High Court instruct the government to include gyms in the amended regulations under levels three, two and one.
Van der Westhuizen argues that 1 036 South African gyms have suppliers that depend on them, noting that the industry injects about R21.8-million into the local economy.
He also states that 29 000 employees have been affected and that 15 000 lost their income in the first few weeks of the national lockdown. Van der Westhuizen shares that if these employees get retrenched, a further R250-million to R300 million in claims could be added to the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s monthly bill.
But how will the gyms shape up to keep their members safe?
Bodytec has always been obsessed with cleanliness. Clients must shower first before putting on their suits and using the gym equipment. But the franchise has taken even more precautions to prepare for full operations.
Boris Leyck, owner of Bodytec, says they have been lucky to have select Bodytec studios operating by offering “EMS therapy” as an alternative to their usual strength training.
“Studios are open for limited hours/ days at the moment and also have longer breaks between sessions, so there is ample time for disinfecting and cleaning of equipment and surfaces,” says Leyck.
Bodytec intends to be fully operational from next month (assuming government regulations allow) by adhering to strict hygiene measures and offering a safe environment for personalised strength training.
“We are lucky compared to traditional gyms in that we don’t need to change our processes, training and studio set-up too much since we’ve always followed strict hygiene processes. We don’t use any shared equipment such as weights or mats, and our training sessions have always been very personal, with maximum two members to one trainer.”
Leyck explains that they have also been fortunate in keeping up financially during the lockdown.
He says: “We tried to keep costs to an absolute minimum, thanks to great support from most of our landlords, and due to the fact that most studios received TERS payments to support their staff.”
He adds that it’s difficult to predict the future when it comes to getting back to “normality”.
“We think the fitness industry might change slightly. First of all, people are creatures of habit and we might be surprised by how quickly they will default back to their previous habits.
“The advantage of Bodytec is that there is a maximum of three people at the studio at the same time and we can adhere to social distancing during training sessions. Bodytec also doesn’t use any additional cardio or strength equipment, making cleaning and disinfecting the studio in between sessions very quick and easy,” says Leyck.
He says while the general trend of online and home workout is great, it causes fatigue. Bodytec studios require only 20 minutes once a week.
Planet Fitness will have a pre-access station where members will have temperatures taken by a compliance officer or nurse and that equipment will be cleaned with a sanitizer containing 70% or more alcohol.
Numbers will be limited and gym members will be asked to follow a 10-metre distance between them. Their saunas will remain closed.
Virgin Active is ready to roll. It has been consulting sports scientists and epidemiologists to make the experience safer.
It has also devised an app for its members to book an appointment to use the gym.