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KUALA LUMPUR - Over the course of the past few weeks, the Malaysia Fitness Coalition has made its plight very clear - with the raging pandemic its doors have been shut, with costs spiking while income has plummeted.
There is a real battle looming for the gym owners when they are allowed to operate again. The big question is whether they will be able to sustain themselves.
While gym owners are desperate for the government to allow gyms to reopen, they have their qualms about members returning.
Here are what some frequent gym goers have to say.
Victoria Lavinia Arul, who used to frequent the gym three times a week for HIIT, boxing and spin classes, did return when gyms reopened for a spell while others avoided doing likewise.
Despite her fears, she is determined to hit the gym again.
She says that “to be honest, I’ve been itching for gyms to re-open, because I really want the space and I miss the classes. There’s only so much you get out of working out at home.”
Victoria is eagerly waiting for gyms to be open again.
Ervin Samuel, who used to visit the gym three to four times a week, shared that he is “actually looking forward to it (gyms reopening).”
Ervin tried his best to avoid gyms during the first and second lockdowns, but found himself going ahead regardless.
“The good thing is, people would normally disinfect the equipment before and after use.”
Another individual, who requested anonymity, told The Vibes that even after gyms are allowed to reopen, he would not be returning.
Since the pandemic, he has bought his own equipment and concludes "it’s cheaper in the long run anyway.”
As someone who used to workout at the gym four to six times a week, he has not returned even when gyms reopened as he considers the equipment in his home as good as that at the gym centres.
The following individuals stated how comfortable they would be to return once fitness centres are allowed to resume operations.
Victoria says she would be cautious about returning to the gym, especially after having had a few scares being in the same space with positive-tested cases. She does recognise that things would not be any different from 2020.
“If they reopen, I’d give it a couple of weeks just to gauge the situation and environment.”
Ervin shared how he does worry as well, but has bigger issues.
“I mean, if and when someone gets in close contact (with a positive-tested individual), most wouldn’t know until it’s too late,
“However, getting fat is much scarier in my opinion.”
And although our anonymous source shared how comfortable he was at the home gym, he would consider returning to the gym if all family members are vaccinated.
“If my whole family is vaccinated, I have no qualms about going back to gym, but it would only be to join my friends; social gymming rather than hardcore ones.”
Although this is too small a group to reflect the thoughts of the mass majority of Malaysians, it looks like people are eager to return to the gym, despite real fears of Covid-19.
Still, it does not divert us from the fact that gym owners will continue to face more uncertainties be it with worried members or those who may have already found an alternative. It may continue to be a bumpy road for gym owners even as they try to become self sustaining again upon reopening. - The Vibes. July 18, 2021.
