An exercise in improved health and economy

GYM OWNER REASSURING RETURNEES OF THEIR SAFETY MEASURES

WITH leisure centre across Leicestershire opening their doors to people from different households this week, a gym owner says he believes people will be feeling excited and anxious about the return.

This latest lockdown easing promises to be a timely boost to the mental health and wellbeing of residents and the local economy, according to fitness expert Nick Wardle, who will see sessions at his Loughborough gym increase by over 50 per cent.

Gyms reopened in England on April 12, but gym-goers from different households have been unable to mix there. It has meant no classes and a vastly reduced number of people being able to work out in their fitness centre each week.

But the further easing of restrictions that comes into force today will see people allowed to mix indoors again, and a surge of county residents back on the treadmill, bike and weight machines.

Body Transformation Centre, in Charnwood Trade Park, Clarence Street, has developed supervised semiprivate personal training sessions to help people get back into the swing of gym exercise.

Owner Nick said: “With Mental Health Awareness Week last week, I think it reminds us how important exercise and fitness are to our state of mind. So I’m looking forward to being able to get more people back in the gym and getting fit.

“Don’t get me wrong, a lot of people are uncertain and nervous about returning, but at the same time they’re desperate to get back to face-to-face sessions and training with their friends.

“Our message to people is that it’s natural to worry, but we’ll have all the right controls in place to make sure the return to the gym is a safe and enjoyable one.

“We’ve developed pods for semi-private personal training in groups, with social distancing so they can train under supervision but without any risk of transmission.”

There are about 6,700 health and fitness clubs in the United Kingdom, with about 9.7 million members.

Nick said the easing of restrictions will be critical to the recovery of the industry.

“It’s been tough and we’ve had to pivot to running online sessions,” he said. “Being able to get people back into the gyms isn’t just about improving people’s health and fitness, it’s also going to save gyms from the scrapheap.”

A poll from Sport England and Savanta ComRes showed gym workouts were the number one method of physical activity that people are looking forward to once the lockdown eases. The poll, which questioned more than 2,000 people, showed that the public misses gym work more than any other activity.