Closure of Gyms Causes Controversy

Concern has been raised by gym owners over whether the closure of gyms in England was in the public's best interest.

The government made the decision for their closure for the second time of 2020 due to lockdown.

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There has been increasing worry relating to publics physical and mental health without access to gyms.

​ Katie O'Brien, a spokesperson from the PureGym, spoke to Fitness Class Honours on the closure of gyms.

"At a time where physical health is so important in fighting this virus – even our PM said that the reason he was so badly affected by Covid-19 was because he was overweight – it seems absurd to restrict public access to a place where they can safely workout and stay healthy.”

There is an immense amount of research finding that staying physically active has numerous health benefits.

Exercise can increase life expectancy and reduce risk of major illnesses.

Exercise is also stated in national guidance as being a key factor in maintaining positive mental health.

Nuffield Health, which operates 111 fitness & wellbeing gyms, conducted surveys at the height of lockdown, finding over half of the 18 to 24-year age group felt their mental has worsened since the start of lockdown.

Of this age group, half aren’t meeting the 150 minutes of exercise per week recommended by the NHS.

"We need to do everything we can..."

Photo by Александр Вальков from Pixabay

Lauren Symons, Senior External Communications Manager at Nuffield Health: “We need to do everything we can to increase exercise rates within this demographic to mitigate a potentially terrible epidemic of increased depression and anxiety."

This is especially true in areas facing even tighter restrictions and local lockdowns, where people will be facing loneliness and continued social isolation.”

The trade body ukactive has called for the fitness and leisure sector to be granted an 'essential service’ status.

PureGym told Fitness Class Honours that the pandemic has cost the business £100m and severely disrupted their businesses in the UK and Europe.

The closure of gyms appears to have left both the sector and those who use it vulnerable.