GYM SAFETY

Pankaj Arora, Managing Director (South Asia), GeoSpa and Technogym, describes the makeovers that gyms are undertaking to make the space safe and sanitised for patrons to use once the lockdown eases up

- Pankaj Arora

The unprecedented worldwide pandemic, followed by multiple lockdowns, has severely hit various industries across the globe. The fitness industry is one of the few, perhaps, to face an absolute shut down for months, adversely hitting the revenue and growth of the sector. After over four months of gyms and fitness studios being shuttered, India is all set to revive the industry while it fights back the deadly virus. Fitness and exercise not only ensure a healthier lifestyle but also help build immunity, cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and provide mental wellbeing, which is severely compromised due to increased inactivity during the lockdown. To encourage people to remain fit at home, gyms and fitness studios, big or small, have been conducting workout sessions through online platforms to keep fitness on track. The sudden drift has stimulated creativity and flexibility beyond boundaries to an industry once hugely reliant on equipment, site, and staff. Whilst the country fights against the deadly virus, minimizing the outbreak and spread, fitness studios and gyms are regulating to the new norm of the post-Covid-19 era, gearing up and working on every possible approach to ensure the safety of their customers.

Covid-19 has led to a certain phobia sweeping the minds of people, of physical contact, and public places. People now tend to maintain distance and avoid shared spaces, let alone equipment. To ease the anxiety caused by the deadly virus, fitness studios and gyms are going through major modifications. Gym and fitness studio owners are hoping for the industry to re-open soon, with government regulations. The industry is primarily focussing on the phase-wise opening of gyms and studios in order to help people adapt to the changes.