Gym’s going through “heavy weightlifting” times amidst Covid-19 pandemic

@RishikeshChava9

Mumbai: Due to the four month long lockdown brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic various Gyms of the state are going through tough times. With zero incomes due to closed Gym’s, Electricity bill and cost of maintaining Gym equipment and future tensions about sanitization, social distancing is making Gym livelihood a lot harder.

To come out of this financial crisis Gym managers and trainers are demanding permission to open up the Gym’s. When Unlock 1 took place to make way for the financial cycle Gyms were excluded from it. Subsequently Trainer’s, Owners and working staff of Gym’s went through financial burden. 

Gym equipment’s cost about Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 while income is zero therefore fitness school trainers are facing trauma. Aditya Pardeshi, a certified gym instructor of Kirti College gym said “I have been in this business since the last six years due to Covid-19 crisis. Our problems are now coming out in the open. Nobody is giving me money right now. I am surviving now completely on my savings.” 

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He further expressed saying “I used to go to Gym everyday but now due to the Covid crisis I am delivering newspapers and milk which has become my morning routine daily”. “Even our seniors are not caring about us. They yet haven’t given me any financial help.” He further remarked “Post lockdown now touching equipment, sanitizing the place and oximeters will least cost Rs 15,000 for the owners”. 

Rahul Shinde, manager of Parle’s well known gym said “It’s becoming very difficult to manage financial losses these days. Our industry has suffered a lot due to this lockdown. Places like Gyms, theatres and halls are closed well before lockdown”.

Speaking on the salary issue he said “Managing a salary of the permanent staff is quite difficult now when there is no income. Also small scale outsourced employees like housekeeping and cleaning staff have no work and income.”

On the condition of trainer’s he said “Our trainers are finding it difficult to manage as their main income source is through personal clients and due to lockdown, their main income source itself is suffering a lot.”

On the health measures he said “Additionally after opening the lockdown we have to invest in hygiene like sanitization etc.which is yet another added expenditure.”

Utkarsh Apte a Doctor said “Exercises are essential for their health improvement and as the gyms and health centres are closed, their health is also suffering due to lack of proper exercise”.

Nitin Tambe a Professional Bodybuilder said “I can’t afford such a big gap in my training. My hard work and financial investments are at stake.” –Rishikesh Chavan