Bengaluru gyms demand to keep them open or give them relief

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Bengaluru: The State Government’s decision, amid the rise of Covid in Bangalore, of shutting down gyms has not been received well by the fitness studio operators.

Most of them already shut down and suffering from job losses are facing the challenge of managing angry new customers, who have recently enrolled, and are now demanding a refund.

On Saturday, the Association along with the Karnataka State Gymnasium have demanded that the government, rather than shutting down the gyms, should provide a financial relief package to gym operators or allow Gyms to function at 50 per cent capacity.

The Karnataka State Gymnasium and Fitness Owners Association stated, “The government’s decision is appreciable, but there is no point in shutting down businesses citing Covid, that too at a time when gym operators are in a recovery phase”.

The association president AV Ravi emphasized, “People use gyms for improving physical fitness and immunity. So, it is ironic that the Government wants such spaces to be shut down”.

He further pointed out that the lockdown has already lead to the closure of over 2,000 gyms across Karnataka.

He said “About 7,500 Gyms are staring at a permanent shut down”. It is observed that 1.5 lakh people, including trainers and other staffs, are employed in the fitness industry.

“Many lost their job in initial lockdown. The latest move would push several others to the verge of losing jobs”, Ravi added.

Ever since the government ordered the shutdown, the owners who are having a hard time bringing their fitness business back on track, have to now face the wrath of the newly enrolled customers.

“Many of them who enrolled a week or two weeks ago are now demanding their money back,” said Ravi.

He clarified that the Association was not against the government’s decision to curb the spread of the virus.

The president asks, “When restaurants and movie theaters can run at 50 percent attendance, why cannot gyms operate the same way,”

The fitness industry is a contributor of about 20 crore revenue of the State.

According to Bharath Balasubramanya, secretary of the fitness owners’ association, gymnasiums were strictly following the Covid protocols made compulsory by the government.