18 Mar 2020
Coronavirus: US fitness chains close clubs
BY Tom Walker
Leading fitness chains in the US are closing their clubs and studios, as a measure to tackle the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
LA Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, Life Time, Blink Fitness, SoulCycle, YMCA and Equinox have all announced closures.
Franchise-based Gold's Gym and Orangetheory have also said they will shut all corporate-owned locations.
The move comes after authorities in a number of US states ordered the closure of gyms, restaurants, bars and cinemas.
While not all US states have issued closure notices, the operators have decided on a blanket shutdown, rather than undertake piecemeal closures in individual states.
"This is not a business decision but a humanity decision," said Gold's Gym CEO and President Adam Zeitsiff.
"We want to protect our community and people of all ages by doing what we can to flatten the disease's curve. To fight this virus, we have to stand firm with everyone who is working to contain the spread. We are truly stronger together."
Dave Long, Orangetheory Fitness co-founder and CEO, added: "We feel a moral imperative to take these steps in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19 as quickly as possible.
"While fitness is crucial to keep one's immunity strong, we want to do our part in bringing this global crisis to a quicker resolution and hope to help reduce transmission of the virus."
In order to keep members engaged, the companies are undertaking a number of at-home and virtual initiatives.
Gold's Gym has made the decision to offer free premium access for members and non-members to its GOLD'S AMP, the company's digital personal training app, through May 31, 2020.
The app has over 600 indoor and outdoor workouts with audio and video guidance. Additionally, the company is launching on-demand streaming video workouts. Both digital fitness options are available to the public on the company website.
Meanwhile, Orangetheory Fitness will also be offering at-home workouts to keep members active. Orangetheory Fitness will also continue to pay all employees at its corporate studios throughout the closure.
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