WASHINGTON, D.C. — January 6, 2021 — The Community Gyms Coalition (CGC), a group representing more than 15,000 local gyms in the U.S. announced today that Jazzercise, Retro Fitness, and [solidcore], have joined the campaign urging Congress to provide direct support to the fitness industry.
“We’re thrilled to join a coalition of more than 15,000 local gyms in the continued fight for relief from Congress,” said Bryan Myers, COO and President of [solidcore]. “Gyms and fitness facilities have been unfairly targeted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with thousands closed to this day despite no strong evidence that they have been a major driver of the spread of COVID-19. Every day that goes by without help from our leaders in Washington only brings more local gyms closer to bankruptcy and permanent closures. Community gyms desperately need federal relief to make it through the pandemic and recover financially.”
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the fitness industry as a whole has been hit the hardest. According to data released by Yelp, gyms have a closure rate nearly five times of restaurants, based on industry size.
A recent survey found that more than a third of independent, local gyms do not believe they will survive 2021 without federal relief from Congress. The survey also found that a direct grant program to recoup 2019 losses would help more than one in four gyms stay in business.
Founding members of the Community Gyms Coalition include: CrossFit, Mindbody, Orangetheory Fitness, Self Esteem Brands, Xponential Fitness, and Zumba Fitness.
Learn more here: https://gymscoalition.org/
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