1851

In the spring, COVID-19 forced the mass shutdown of gyms and exercise facilities across the country, sparking a severe plunge in fitness industry profits in the first half of 2020. Now, as the coronavirus continues to threaten the future of brick-and-mortar establishments in all segments, fitness businesses are turning to outdoor classes to revive revenue streams.On Saturday, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/25/coronavirus-fitness-studios-gyms-move-classes-outdoors.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fitness-studios-turn-to-outdoor-classes-to-stay-afloat-2713583" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CNBC offered a look</a> at how fitness brands are taking advantage of warm weather to maintain their customer bases while indoor classes remain prohibited in many states.&nbsp;Drawing on data from International Health, Racquet &amp; Sportsclub Association and Ibis World, CNBC notes that there were approximately 62.4 million members of Health Clubs in the U.S. in 2019, with the industry recently valued at $34 billion. Classpass reported that 95% of its revenue receded in April and that they were forced to lay off or furlough 53% of its staff as a result. Fitness studios Flywheel and Solidcore also laid off nearly 100% of their staff, and Gold’s Gyms and 24 Hour Fitness were two major franchises that filed for bankruptcy.Jacob Gise, who in November opened a location of Australian-based franchise Body Fit Training in California, told CNBC, “I climbed this huge mountain, traveling to different countries and doing all this stuff to get it here,” Gise said. “Right as it started to be profitable and a lot of franchisees were interested, everything is shut down.”While many struggling gyms originally pivoted to less-profitable online classes, others are now taking advantage of the summer weather and providing outdoor classes. Many exercise-enthusiasts have responded positively to the pivot, and new business partnerships have formed specifically to provide such a service.For example, one Zumba instructor, Lauren Owen in the Metro-Detroit area, partnered with a local nutrition store, Shores Nutrition, to bring protein shake deals to customers who joined her outdoor class. Owen hosts her classes in the Shores Nutrition parking lot and has seen the benefit the partnership has brought to her students.“There’s not as much camaraderie over Zoom as there is in person,” Owen told CNBC. “When I saw ... I could teach a class outside, I jumped on it, because I was so excited to teach in person again, because I know it’s just so much better.”Dana Auriemma, owner of Firehouse Fitness Studio in Philadelphia, told CNBC that her customers have responded well to hosting classes on their rooftop: “For clients in a studio, missing that studio get-together is a huge loss of a social aspect of their life and all of the emotional and mental benefits for exercise. The fact that outdoor gives us an outlet to bring that back to people is fantastic for their health.”Gise was one of many fitness center owners who also pivoted to bring his classes outside, and said the ability to serve his clients and provide an atmosphere for them to still reach their personal goals has been a game changer — not just financially but also from a morale perspective.&nbsp;“I’ve barely slept over the past four months, to be honest, just because I’m worried about paying my staff, I’m worried about trying to get this rent money and also just trying to take care of everybody,” Gise told CNBC. “There’s a lot of challenges, but at the end of the day, it’s totally worth it because we’re helping people, and their energy is the only thing getting me through.”<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/25/coronavirus-fitness-studios-gyms-move-classes-outdoors.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fitness-studios-turn-to-outdoor-classes-to-stay-afloat-2713583" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Read the full story at CNBC.com</a>.

Fitness Studios Turn to Outdoor Classes to Stay Afloat

1851 Franchise

CNBC reports that while brick-and-mortar gyms are hit hard by the pandemic, many studios are offering classes outdoors to make up for revenue lost.

fitness-studios-turn-to-outdoor-classes-to-stay-afloat

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Home Service Ally Celebrates Major Milestone With Opening of Its 100th Franchise Location

trublue-home-service-ally-celebrates-major-milestone-with-opening-of-its-100th-franchise-location

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Named Among the Top Franchises in Entrepreneur Franchise 500® Ranking

Children’s Lighthouse Named Among the Top Franchises in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500® Ranking

childrens-lighthouse-named-among-the-top-franchises-in-entrepreneur-magazines-franchise-500-ranking

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Four Layne's team members stand in front of a wall decorated with artwork from the community

The Easiest $10,000 Made in a Day: How Layne’s Built Operations for Volume

the-easiest-10000-made-in-a-day-how-laynes-built-operations-for-volume

Pet Wants

Why Pet Wants Is Perfect for First-Time Franchise Owners

why-pet-wants-is-perfect-for-first-time-franchise-owners

Griswold

7 Winter Safety Tips for Seniors: Staying Safe During National Winter Safety Month

7-winter-safety-tips-for-seniors-staying-safe-during-national-winter-safety-month

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

Login

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Yum Brands - KFC - Pizza Hut - Terminates Franchise Agreements in Turkey - 1851 Franchise

Yum! Brands Terminates Franchise Agreements in Turkey Due to Non-Compliance

yum-brands-terminates-franchise-agreements-in-turkey-due-to-non-compliance

Recent Franchise News - Why Franchisors Churn Through Marketing Suppliers - 1851 Franchise

Forbes: Four Reasons Why Franchisors Churn Through Marketing Suppliers

forbes-four-reasons-why-franchisors-churn-through-marketing-suppliers

QSR Magazine: Big Chicken Targets Global Expansion

qsr-magazine-big-chicken-aims-for-global-growth

Starbucks Strike Brews Opportunity for the Next Coffee Franchisee

starbucks-strike-brews-opportunity-for-coffee-franchise-hopefuls

I Heart Mac and Cheese - Franchisees Sue I Heart Mac and Cheese - Franchise News - 1851 Franchise

Restaurant Business Online: Franchisees Sue I Heart Mac and Cheese

restaurant-business-online-franchisees-sue-i-heart-mac-and-cheese

Two Attorneys, Restaurant Professionals To Serve Germantown Community With New Paris Baguette Café

two-attorneys-restaurant-professionals-to-serve-germantown-community-with-new-paris-baguette-cafe

Top 10 Franchises for New Year’s Resolutions

Top 10 Franchise Opportunities for New Year’s Resolutions

top-10-franchises-for-new-years-resolutions

Leveraging Technology in Franchise Management

How to Leverage Technology in Franchise Management

leveraging-technology-in-franchise-management

The Best Franchises To Own With Low Initial Investments

best-franchises-with-low-initial-investments

Newk's Eatery - Magee, MS - Skip Russell Franchisee Profile - CI

Former Popeyes Franchisee Builds on Decades of Success with Newk's Expansion Plans

former-popeyes-franchisee-builds-on-decades-of-success-with-newks-expansion-plans

Fitness Studios Turn to Outdoor Classes to Stay Afloat

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS