Protest against ‘nonsensical’ gym lockdowns

Motion Fitness in George has had to temporarily retrench 20 staff members last week at month end.

"We have managed to pay full salaries up until now, but members' fee payments have understandably dwindled and we had to retrench people to save the business," said general manager André de Jager during a silent indoor protest yesterday, Wednesday 5 August, at their premises at York Street Boulevard.

"We hope to reappoint our staff as soon as we can open our doors. They are now applying for UIF."

De Jager said they are hoping for a positive outcome of their High Court application against the government. It was launched in July by United Gyms and Fitness Facilities in a desperate attempt to have gyms and fitness centres reopened during lockdown. Motion Fitness was one of hundreds of gyms countrywide that participated in a national protest organised by Fit SA against the lockdown regulations that don't permit fitness centres to operate. The protest would have taken place outside in front of participating operators, but took on another format after a warning from the police that protesters who dared to demonstrate outside, would be arrested.

At Motion Fitness, staff and supportive gym members were allowed to enter the premises two by two to pose for photos with placards inside the gym. The photos were posted on the Fit SA Facebook page together with those from all other participating gyms.

De Jager said they have done their preparations for reopening. Some pieces of equipment of which there were more than one have been removed so as to create at least two-metre spaces between machines. "We have spent a lot of money, to install the necessary filters in the air conditioning system so that every nine seconds the air inside is replaced. We have placed dispensers with sanitiser throughout the gym and we can also disinfect apparatus after every use." He said even if they can let in only a few members at a time, they will open up. In this way, limited staff will be working in shifts to ensure social distancing.

A gym member, Amelia le Roux, said she has gained some weight during the lockdown and is eager to start exercising again, as is her husband, Helgaard. "We have managed to borrow some equipment and have set up a makeshift gym in our braai area. We will definitely be here when Motion opens again."

Oxygym in Oudtshoorn and Mossel Bay also participated in the protest action, according to De Jager.

There was no activity at Virgin Active in George and Bodytech and Crossfit gyms didn't answer their phones.