WASHINGTON, D.C. — November 23, 2020 — The Community Gyms Coalition (CGC), a group representing more than 15,000 community gyms in the U.S., released the following statement today on the new closure of Washington, D.C. gyms by Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Health. Bowser and D.C. Health announced earlier in the day all indoor fitness classes will be suspended as of Wednesday, November 25th. According to the new adjustments, gyms are the only businesses in the city required to completely halt all indoor operations.
“Closing gyms will hurt public health and exacerbate other growing public health challenges like obesity, diabetes, depression, and other chronic illness,” said Craig Howard, spokesperson for the Community Gyms Coalition. “Gyms have been among the hardest hit industries since the beginning of the pandemic, as D.C. and other states and municipalities have forced them to suspend operations, while other indoor establishments are permitted to stay open. It’s vital that Congress act quickly to provide the fitness industry with direct financial relief that allows gym owners to survive and recover from these types of mandatory COVID-related closures.”
Members of the Community Gyms Coalition include: CrossFit, Mindbody, Orangetheory Fitness, Planet Fitness, Self Esteem Brands, Xponential Fitness, and Zumba Fitness. Learn more here: https://gymscoalition.org/
###