Can gyms, fitness centres survive with only 50% capacity?

KUALA LUMPUR – Gyms and fitness centres have been allowed to resume operations since September 18.

Since the announcement was made a month ago by Youth and Sports minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, many facilities still struggle to keep their business afloat while others have been forced to shut down.

For a small fitness establishment, such as Myraz Gym and Studio, business had to be diversified to maintain a stable income as revenue generated from membership fees alone was not sufficient.

“Even though we’ve been closed for nearly half a year, with barely any income coming in, we are still required to pay the rent,” said Myraz co-founder and fitness instructor, Nurul Amira Mahadi (pictured above with her students pre-pandemic).

“We did apply for (the RM3,000) monetary assistance from the government for gym owners to help retain the business but we haven’t received it.

“So, in the meantime, the only way to keep our business going is by conducting virtual classes,” says Nurul Amira, who runs Myraz with her husband, Elvis Chong, in a residential-area shop lot in Putra Perdana, Puchong.

Since the business premises is only allowed to accommodate 50% of its full capacity following SOP guidelines by the National Security Council and Health ministry, conducting online classes seems like the only way for the couple, who are both fitness instructors, to generate additional income to cover operational costs.

“Prior to the pandemic, as our gym is located within a shop lot, we were able to accommodate 30 members at one time. Now, we can only allow 15,” said Nurul Amira, who is fondly known as May.

“We have started accepting members again, but we still have to continue with virtual classes to keep revenue coming in. Plus, we also started selling fitness clothes under the Myraz Fitwear label.

“All this additional money is needed to pay for maintenance of our gym equipment, which can be quite costly,” said May, adding that many of their existing members have yet to complete their vaccination.

Following SOP guidelines for gym and fitness centres, workout machines must be kept apart at a distance of 1.5m to ensure adequate social distancing.

Each member is required to wipe down the equipment after use with a towel and sanitiser provided by the establishment.

May added that they would switch on all the fans and open all the windows to ensure the studio receives sufficient ventilation.

However, according to another fitness instructor, conducting online classes seems to be far more profitable than physical training sessions.

Zumba instructor, Afifah Mahyudin (pictured above), fondly known as Fifie within the Zumba community, said: “I gain more income from conducting online classes because there’s no limit to the number of participants, compared to a physical class, which has a limited capacity due to social distancing regulations”

Fifie added that conducting online classes has its downsides as well, especially with troublesome Internet connection.

“Conducting my online classes can be challenging because sometimes there’s a lag in connection that causes a delay in my dance steps, which can be quite confusing for students.

“At the beginning of the pandemic, I invited my friends and students to free online Zumba classes to help them gain confidence, and also gauge what is required when hosting an online class.

“Some say they couldn’t feel the vibes and didn’t sweat as much, but I persevered to find ways to make my class as fun as possible.

“I’m thankful that I’m getting better at conducting virtual classes, and my students have stayed with me all the way”

One of Fifie’s students, Hana Roslani (pictured above), said participating in online classes and working out from home does have its challenges, but she feels better exercising in a private and comfortable space, as the mother of two is understandably concerned about contracting the coronavirus from undue exposure to others in public areas.

“Although we are allowed to go out now, I am still concerned about where I go, so that I don’t contract the virus from someone else and spread it to my children.

“When I first started Zumba at home, it was hard to adapt because I’m so used to being in a physical class where I could interact with the fitness instructor and other students.

“Being a mother, sometimes it can be quite amusing that I have to tell my kids in advance: ‘Don’t disturb Mommy because I’m doing my Zumba right now’, so they won’t interrupt the session,” laughed Hana.

“In the beginning, they couldn’t understand what I was up to, but they got used to it. Sometimes, they too would join me.”

When working out at home, Hana said it is utterly important to have sufficient space to move around, and to remove all household items from your exercise area, including kids' toys, so you don’t injure yourself or your children. – The Vibes, October 19, 2021