USA TODAY International Edition
Gyms and yoga studios sue NY to open indoors
Charlie Link has run Phoenix Fitness from a large former warehouse in Tuckahoe, New York, for more than 18 years.
With about 1,000 customers, Phoenix has been a profitable passion.
But with his speech therapist wife out of work due to the coronavirus and the state continuing to ban the operation of indoor fitness businesses, Link’s 19th year in business is in doubt and, moreover, so is his future in the area.
“I can probably hang on another couple of months, at most,” Link, of
Eastchester, said of his business.
Despite some members donating funds to him, he added, “If this continues, I’ll probably sell my house and move.”
The “this” is both the coronavirus and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s response to it.
“I was on board initially with the goal to flatten the curve ( by temporarily closing businesses),” Link said. “But four months later, it’s just insane.” Many in the fitness industry agree. Link’s is one of more than 2,000 fitness- related businesses in New York to join a class- action lawsuit that
seeks both an injunction preventing the state from continuing to ban general fitness gyms, CrossFit gyms and yoga and pilates studios from indoor operation. The suit also seeks financial compensation for the time these facilities have been forced to shutter.
The lawsuit is the largest of three related challenges filed in different courts last week by Long Island- based attorney James Mermigis.
The primary suit is in court in Jefferson County, where, Mermigis said, the main complainant’s 21- year- old business will go under if not allowed to reopen within a week or two.
He filed another class- action suit in Genesee County specific to CrossFit gyms and another in Saratoga County for yoga and pilates studios, including Dutchess’ Beacon Pilates. CrossFit and yoga and pilates are also covered in the Jefferson County class action.
Mermigis points to the potential loss of 60,000 to 90,000 jobs if New York’s gyms and exercise studios permanently close.
He maintains that they can be operated safely and faults Cuomo for misleading gym owners into believing they’d be part of final Phase 4 reopenings this month. The state has not announced a date for their reopening.
“If the governor wants to still shut them down, he’s going to have to pay them,” Mermigis said.
The Governor’s Office did not address questions relating to a timetable for the reopening nor the criticism that the ban isn’t based on evidence gyms could promote the virus’ spread more than businesses that are already open.
But Jason Conwall, a Cuomo spokesman, said of the lawsuits Tuesday, “We fully intend to defend the actions taken in these matters.”
“The actions taken by the Governor with respect to gyms and fitness centers are wholly consistent with the powers granted to the executive by the Legislature,” he said in an e- mail message.
“The measures the Governor has taken were intended to – and did – curb the rise of infection across the state. They also allowed us to avoid subsequent spikes of infection.”
He added, “Reports show that infections are spiking in 39 states, and that officials in those states have been forced to re- close businesses and other parts of the economy that were opened too early. Every public opinion survey has shown an overwhelming majority of New Yorkers support our re- opening approach. We understand that some people aren’t happy – but better unhappy than sick or worse.”
One person who’s very unhappy is Charlie Cassara, who has helped promote the lawsuits and who runs SC Fitness, a pair of gyms on Long Island. With his business off 40 percent, Cassara chastises the state for providing “no help, no guidance.”
Citing Cuomo’s alliance with Connecticut and New Jersey throughout the pandemic fight, Cassara pointed out both are allowing indoor gyms to operate — New Jersey by appointment only.
But it’s New York’s red- light, greenlight handling of various businesses that chafes Cassara and others the most.
An industrywide complaint centers on the state’s decision to permit multiple sports, including gymnastics, basketball and baseball training, to be conducted indoors.
Cassara points to gymnastics and cites “heavy breathing” and “sweating on mats” in questioning why the state judges it safer than regular gym exercise and low- impact activities like yoga.
Link, echoing medical experts’ conclusion obese people are more susceptible to the coronavirus, contends “gyms and fitness centers help people’s immunity.”
“There’s no scientific evidence people get more sick in gyms,” Link said. “A study in Europe said you’re less susceptible if active in a gym.”
He noted that he has had clients report gaining 20 to 30 pounds during the gym shutdown, and some are now diagnosed as pre- diabetic.
“This is affecting people’s lives, physically and mentally,” Link argued.
“( The state’s) shoving us off to the side. Give me a plan. Give me a ( reopening) date.”
“The fact our industry is being singled out while ( COVID- 19) numbers are going down ( in New York) is unfair, insulting and just wrong,” Cassara said. “Why can’t we open? How are we supposed to survive? Are you helping us survive? ... It’s not like this is Phase 1. We’re stuck.”
Tobi Kundid has owned and run Tovami Yoga in Mamaroneck for five years. Pre- pandemic, she held about 40 indoor classes per week, averaging 15- 20 people per class.
These days, she offers online, virtual yoga, which she began just before the state ordered non- essential businesses to close in mid- March. Thanks to the Village of Mamaroneck offering space at its harbor, weather- permitting, she also conducts five outdoor classes each week with 10 students per class.
Still, Kundid makes only about 30 percent of her normal income. She has gotten by in part via a GoFundMe and because of her “amazing landlord.”
But Kundid’s unsure about the future.
“In two days, I’ll be closed for four months,” she said Monday. “I don’t know if I’m going to be able to recover. ... The really big question is, is there any survivability to this?”