WHAT WILL GYMS LOOK LIKE AFTER COVID-19
Whether we want to ADMIT it or not, COVID-19 has changed the fitness industry - PERMANENTLY.
Most gyms will be forced to implement procedures that will create tremendous change in the look, feel, and procedures we see at most fitness FACILITIES, gyms, and health clubs.
Here’s the good news (depending on how you feel about COVID-19), those gyms are releasing their plans to reopen. But, here’s the really weird thing… this is going to look, unlike anything you have ever seen before - not just in gyms, but literally ANYWHERE.
Using the popular gym chain 24 Hour Fitness as an example ( and this is just in the states they are allowed to open, but you can expect to see this everywhere), you can expect to see:
New Policies
5 AM - 9 PM hours of operation :(24 hours my a**, big gym chains have likely been considering a pr-friendly to cut their lower traffic, less lucrative hours for a long time. Covid-19 has given them a LEGITIMATE excuse to finally do just that.
One hour of open gym access followed by a 30-minute cleaning closur: That means for 16 hours of operation, they are only truly open for around 10-11 hours you will actually be able to use the facility to workout.
Reservation requirements: You can expect to have to reserve times in advance that are extremely limited. I am unsure how competitive this will be because I do expect a high volume of cancellations. From what i know at the time of writing this article, reservations will be made using a VIRTUAL queue on an smartphone app or the companies website. I have a hunch this process will not be as smooth as people might like, at least right out of the gate.
Massively shortened workout windows: Most lifters spend 10-15 minutes just warming up and may even spend upwards of an entire hour on just 1-2 full exercise. That is likely to be all that you get now. This will most likely change your routine if you go to a commercial gym that is.
Trainers are f****d: If you are a trainer at a big box gym, take your clients and run now. Listen to me. I promise you won’t regret it. But having an hour of training followed by a half an hour of cleaning will massively disrupt your schedule and efficiency. There is no way you will be able to have the same fulfillment and financial return you did before with the implementation of these new protocols. And, believe you me, if these gyms cared about you enough to justify you sticking it out in a post covid-19 landscape, they wouldn’t take half your pay on each session.
Senior Only Hours: While this is great for seniors, it may suck for you. Toss in another set of hours the gym will be off-limits. 24 Hour Fitness is PROPOSING that 2-3 PM be reserved exclusively for seniors. This means you, and all the other members who don’t cancel will really be fighting over 5:00 am to 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM. The average big box gym probably has between 1000 to 10,000 members depending on how long it been established. Even if 50% cancel that means you and between 500 to 5,000 people will be duking it out over even less time. While this certainly creates a safer space for those who are at greater risk for COVID-19 related complications, it’s another change that must be considered as we move deeper and deeper into this new reality.
POols, spas, saunas, and locker rooms: While i have yet to see a big box gym company make a statement on what will be done with these facilities, in all likelihood we will see changes here too. The proximity required to use these spaces (particularly pools, spas, and saunas) will likely not mix well with established social distancing protocols. Expect these ammenities to be drained, literally.
Here are some potential “positives”:
Price wars are coming: You can expect a massive exodus from the commercial gym space as people have compiled home equipment and get really frustrated with gym times. With all gyms having to conform to similar policies around cleanliness and hours of operation, you can expect them to have to now compete for your money. We may see lower rates very quickly. It is also possible that gyms will spike prices or tier prices based on accessibility, reservation, and how much access you want… we won’t know until we know. What is likely now is that all gyms will be competing on a much more even playing field.
You can supplement these workouts: Listen, you don’t need the gym. Even if you can get in there 5-6 days/week for an hour - I would still recommend snagging some home workout equipment. Having things at home to supplement your training on days you can’t make it to the big box, or you simply don’t want to will be huge. I wrote a huge blog on exactly what to invest in HERE. READ IT.
Small gyms and trainers can pivot faster: You can expect smaller gyms, studios, and PT’s to be more agile during this time. This is where you should be looking if you want to get the most bang for your buck and get treated like a human being. Nothing is going to make you feel weirder than returning to a big box gym, being forced to wear a mask and hearing a bell go off signaling it’s time for you to exit. If you want human connection and to feel like less of a number, I strongly recommend looking for a mom+pop gym in your area. Supporting small businesses is a better move at this time anyway.
Tips + Tricks
Have Home Equipment (look at the list above). This will cover you in case you are unable to get to the gym or reserve a spot that fits your existing schedule.
Call/Email your local mom+pop gyms: and see if you can get a membership NOW to help support them and even ahead of time to see what their policies around use will be. It is likely they won’t restrict access to hour blocks.
Hire a coach or trainer to make the most of this wild situation: Having someone whose job it is to help you navigate and maximize this crazy time will be money well spent.
Identify the times that make sense to go to the gym: that perhaps were NOT your normal times. It is very unlikely you will be able to get the same time each day with these new systems.
Start a high-efficiency program: The days of consistently lifting 5-6 days/week may be a bit far away still. Find a program that requires less daily time and fewer sessions/week. My 4oundation’s program is only 4x/week and all the work can be done in under an hour. I have dropped the price 50% for anyone on the mailing list today. Just use the code “EMAIL” at checkout. Grab it HERE!
Dial-in your nutrition: Many of you have likely been succeeding in spite of your nutrition. Now is the time to start fine-tuning that area.
SLEEP: If you have heard me say it once, you have heard it a thousand times. Sleep is good for your gains and performance, start getting in a rhythm with it now.
Warm-Up at Home: While this might not be a perfect scenario for most people, if you live within a 10-minute drive of the gym I would warm up before arriving if possible. A 10-minute drive won’t waste your warmup, but a 10-minute warmup might infringe heavily on a workout that might only last an hour max.
Minimize Chatter: The gym has long been a social hour for many of us. If you are on a time crunch it would be wise to minimize said activities.
Do your big work at the big box, finish up at home: Cardio, arms, delts, calves, and abs to finish may have to wait for the dumbells in your apartment. I would spend that hour loading up some big compound movements that may not be as well suited for home progressions like squats, deadlifts, rows, and presses.
Here is what the insiders are saying:
I reached out to some friends in various positions within various companies across the industry to get some more details on exactly what it is you can expect to see post-covid-19. Here is what they had to say:
One Anytime Fitness owner Said:
“We are kicking around a ton of ideas, hard to say without knowing what the requirements will be but some things are: limiting capacity to 25% of building maximum, health questionnaire/liability waiver before entering, social distancing required, mask required (gonna suck but I think we have to); no group classes for now; our app is being programmed to include a feature to reserve your time slot for when you can show up (settings on this can be varied and it is an optional tool but we are considering it)”
One UFC Gym Manager Said The Company Will Look to Include:
Sneeze guards
6-10ft distancing
more janitorial team added
temperature checks at the front door
every two pieces of equipment used.
One 24 Hour Fitness Executive Said To Expect:
Lower capacity.
Equipment either blocked off or removed to provide social distance.
Reserved workout times (1hr in length)
Close club for cleaning in between each workout session
Fingerless check-in
Whatever happens, this Article will likely have left you more prepared.
do the work now to set yourself up for success.
We all know the volatility of the landscape now, you will only have yourself to blame for not being prepared.