Pune: around 1,000 gyms in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad are on the shutdown threshold, a month after reopening, when they struggle to attract new customers even after offering large discounts.
With old customers who move away because timings are limited, and many do not renew their membership, those in the fitness industry are in trouble.
Many consider selling their gym with despair.
Nilesh Kale, President, Pune Fitness Club Association, told TOI that the situation had become very difficult for those involved in the fitness business.
“I was desperately trying to sell my gym.
There are around 3,500 gyms in the corporate area and around 1,000 of them are permanently closed after locking since last year.
Close to 1,000 others is on the verge of being closed,” Kale said.
After the second wave, permission was given to a fitness center and fitness club to reopen from June 10, with warnings such as appointments before coming, vaccination and closing at 4 pm.
“Limited time has become a curse for us, and we can hardly get new customers.
Most of the gyms have announced profitable discounts and offers half or even less than the cost specified, but in vain.
Most people work from home and they want Flexible timings.
Morning time is not suitable for most customers and fitness centers closed at night.
Most of the gym functions of the rented room and with little or no income, paying rent and staff salaries have become an impossible task for many of us, ” Add Kale.
“We have six branches in Pune and now while five of them are closed, the latter is temporarily closed for two months.
We barely have visitors since one and a half years,” said Madhukar Talwalkar from Talwarres.
The owner of the Gym based in Kohwa said, “Customers who came most of the old members who had paid their membership fees at the beginning of 2020 before the pandemic but could not use the facility because the fitness center was closed.
Especially about 60% of our old customers did not appear.
Have bought some basic equipment such as treadmills, crossing the coach and weights and using it at home, “he said.
“Sales of small equipment are booming.
People buy weight, iron rods, curls, dumbbells for muscles,” said Arun Sports representative in Shivajinagar.
In fact, with a gym close, many have cycled.
“Every month, we sell around 30 to 40 cycles.
Sales increase right after the first locking and remains the same almost,” said a bicycle and bicycle official, Pimple Gurav, said.
“Upcale bicycle requests also increased,” Besshish Singh Talwar, Owner, Surender Cycle Store, Karve Road Suraj Joshi, a working professional and fitness fan, said he did not find a suitable gym time.
“I have to attend the morning meeting from 9am to 10:30 after that I have to pursue work.
Before the pandemic, I used to return from work at 5:00 p.m.
and then go to the gym for one hour.
Now, it is impossible for limited timings .
So, I bought a sports bike and a few weights at home and brought youtube help to follow instructions and diets, “Joshi said.
Kale said that they would approach deputy head minister Ajit Pawar for assistance.
“The state government must help us,” he said.