Covid-19 deals a body blow to gym centres

Hyderabad: Like all other sectors, fitness centres in the city, too, have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. As relaxations are being used for various establishments after a two-month hiatus, owners of fitness centres are making moves to restart their activities. A majority have run into debt as the business came to a grinding halt.

Rent and salaries to staff have to be paid and the members who have opted for whole year subscription would demand extension for the period they missed going to centres. According to rough estimates, there are more than 2,000 gyms in Greater Hyderabad limits and more than 15,000 trainers depend on fitness centres for livelihood.

Naresh Surya who has bagged awards like Mr Telangana and has claimed fifth rank in Mr India competitions has been vocal on social media trying to draw the attention of society to the plight of this sector. A member of Telangana Gym Owners Association, Surya said, "There is no association for gym owners and trainers in the state. There are around 2,000 gyms and more than 15,000 trainers. During this lockdown, many of them have faced a huge financial crisis. The business was good till the month of February, but later incurred huge losses.

Trainers' livelihood has been cut off abruptly due to the lockdown." "Many gyms are set up by borrowing loans. The owners are forced to pay rent, salaries and other bills. We urge the government to allow gyms to start functioning. The rent per month of the gyms based on the services goes up to around Rs 40,000 to Rs 1 Lakh," adds Naresh.

Prabhjot Singh Gill, owner of Fitlifez Gym and Spa, Diamond Point, Secunderabad, said that they have never been in such a situation before. They have been in this business for the past 25 years. He further said, "We have seven branches of our gym, where there are 20 employees including the trainers and helpers. I have to pay their salaries."

The monthly and the yearly membership varies from gym to gym which also depends on the services they provide. The monthly membership cost is between Rs 600 and Rs 2000, the annual membership begins at Rs 12,000 goes up to Rs 25,000.

Martin Arogya, the owner of Star Fitness Studio in Karkhana, said, "There are around 250 members in the gym and 6 employees including the trainer and cleaning staff. Closing the gym for the past two months has been a huge loss for us. Only 20 per cent of the members have taken the yearly membership. Now, I am forced to take up loans by private lenders to pay the salaries of the employees, rents and other bills."