As of: January 8th, 2022 3:18 pm
Actually, the good resolutions drive numerous new customers to the fitness studios in January. But the industry continues to lose members. 2G-Plus makes exercisers and trainers weary.
“The new measures are extremely labor-intensive,” says Fabian Becker. He heads the Aggertal sports studio in Lohmar. Becker stands at the entrance area and checks the current test, vaccination certificate and ID card for every guest. “That keeps us from our actual task: the training support of our guests”, says Becker.
The sports studio in Lohmar is in its 39th year – with back courses, yoga and functional workouts. The months in lockdown and the many restrictions on the admission of members have left clear traces, says Becker. A third of the members have already resigned – members who Becker and his team have won and retained over the years. “This is a long-term slump in sales that the state is trying to moderate with ridiculous aid programs,” criticized Becker.
Good resolutions – without new members
Thanks to the new resolutions for the year, January is a good time for many new guests to start health sports or fitness training. “This is of course one of the months with the highest turnover for the industry. This is now being curbed for the second time by measures that are incomprehensible to the frequently boosted guests,” says Becker.
“2G-Plus regulations have a significant impact on new registrations,” says Ralph Scholz, chairman of the German Industry Association for Fitness and Health. For many people it is too time-consuming to present a current test in addition to a proof of vaccination or recovery. Self-tests in the studio are not permitted, even under the supervision of trained personnel.
“Where the rule was introduced, new business has almost completely collapsed,” criticized Scholz. In the first quarter, gyms would typically generate a third of the new enrollments in a year.
“Ripped off by politics”
Time and again, Becker experiences in his studio in Lohmar how guests and trainers get angry about the stricter regulations. “The mood is slowly changing under the current measures,” says the sports and fitness salesman. “The guests feel ripped off by politics, and trust and acceptance of the measures is dwindling.”
At that time the gyms were closed in lockdown, now the costs continue to run in full. According to the association, many operators have livelihood problems again. “For example, we invested a mid-five-digit amount from private funds in a fresh air system with a live presentation on the website,” says Becker. This system is unique in the industry. “Our training is like training in the fresh air, with the addition that even pollen is filtered out beforehand.”
In the industry, a lot is invested in hygiene, ventilation and protection concepts, which unfortunately receive little attention in politics. Becker would like politics to show more appreciation and more responsibility, like the on-site self-tests.
A patchwork of rules
“Many of our guests also complain that the same language is not spoken in the federal government and that, for example, in North Rhine-Westphalia, measures are tougher than in other federal states,” says Becker.
A patchwork of rules currently applies to fitness studios – in some federal states only the 2G rule applies, in others a rapid test is also required, in some this is not applicable for people with booster vaccinations. “Politicians lack a long-term strategy,” criticizes the industry association for fitness and health. The industry is worried about the very important start of the year.
Studio manager Becker and his team hope that as many people as possible will continue to train and go to the studio despite the controls. “The Aggertal sports studio and the entire industry make a major contribution to keeping people healthy in general,” he says. “We are an important and indispensable part of the health system – especially in the pandemic.”