Gym 2020 Redux

Gym — Downtown

The gym has provided limited information about new procedures as related to “super-duper corona.” These include:

• Club hours will be from 5am to 9pm daily to allow for overnight cleaning
• Some equipment may be powered off or moved to provide ample space to work out safely
• Courts will be repurposed as extra workout space; no ball sports will be allowed
• Classes will meet at modified times and locations to support social distancing.

Workouts are limited to one hour per day and must be established through a proprietary “app” installed on “smartphones.” Appointments can be made one day in advance. The “app” will also be required for check-in. Between the one-slots, there will be a 30-minute allotment for cleaning and disinfection. There was no information about whether locker rooms and showers will be available. Face masks are assumed to be mandatory.

There is little doubt that the new policies are going to be unworkable for many people. The time slots are so limited that very few members can be accommodated. Obtaining even one workout appointment within a week seems unlikely. On-line live streaming classes are being offered, but why pay $60 per month for that? At-home workouts are readily available for free on the Net.

Although the new policies have been deemed as temporary, there is no indication that any revisions will be possible for several months. Can the gym survive?

Already back in April, the executive management at corporate headquarters of the gym were considering bankruptcy. According to CNBC:

Credit ratings agency Moody’s recently downgraded the chain over worries around its “negative membership trends, very high-interest burden and negative free cash flow prior to the coronavirus outbreak, as well as approaching maturities to provide limited flexibility to manage through the crisis.” 

It has an $837 million term loan with a so-called springing maturity in March 2022 and $500 million in unsecured notes maturing in June 2022, if more than a fifth of those notes remain outstanding.

The situation at other gyms is not likely any better. Planet Fitness® (with only one location in Ala Moana Center) is a relatively small gym with limited equipment. It relies on essentially overselling its inexpensive memberships. With “social distancing” and routine disinfection breaks, the likelihood of permanent closure is a reality.

Addendum: A couple of heavy duty exercise bands were acquired temporarily from Randy, the contractor. Thus, a few resistance toning exercises can be accomplished to defer further muscle and fitness atrophy.

Notes on Face Masks use at Gyms: The required use of face masks during workouts is already a huge negative. The discomfort is a problem. However, the unintentional hypoxic effect (similar to “altitude” face masks) may pose a health risk especially during cardio activities.

Face Mask Workouts

There is the possibility of surreptitiously using a self-modified “altitude” face mask at the gym. The restrictive filter would be removed. The normal black color would also allow for additional holes to be punched in order restore free breathing.