Anyone hazard a guess for when the gyms will re-open

A 1hr slot is not enough, if they are gonna impose a time restriction it will have to be 2hrs. Let’s just say average gym goer wants to do treadmill, bike and weights. I need more than 1hr to fit that in, especially if thee is 10mins less to handle each stop/start of each slot.

What are staffing levels like at most gyms?
Staffing levels at mine are really low. I have been on the gym floor for entire workouts and not seen one staff member. There could be one on in the morning and that person is doing a class.

My gym would need to actually employ more staff in order to keep things ticking over.

Booking slots will see people cancel memberships. Anyone who used to go before work now wont be able too if they have no shower at work, they would need to go to the gym, then go home again before they can go to work. If people coming home cant stop on the way are they really going to go home, ear dinner and then go back out again? The peak hours are there because they suit peoples lives.

Ive always been able to go off peak but that being said I also want to be able to work out around kids/work. Ill just order more equipment and stay home if trying to get a gym slot becomes a hassle.

Man Vs ManUre wrote: »

A 1hr slot is not enough, if they are gonna impose a time restriction it will have to be 2hrs. Let’s just say average gym goer wants to do treadmill, bike and weights. I need more than 1hr to fit that in, especially if thee is 10mins less to handle each stop/start of each slot.

One hour isn't enough for me to do a full session either but a two-hour slot as standard has a big knock on impact on the number of members that miss out.

Better to try and accommodate as many members as possible within reason than accommodate those who need more than one hour.

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

One hour isn't enough for me to do a full session either but a two-hour slot as standard has a big knock on impact on the number of members that miss out.

Better to try and accommodate as many members as possible within reason than accommodate those who need more than one hour.

Agree - half a loaf is better than no bread and it's about making compromises to make it workable. I think your idea of a "no show" charge e.g. you are charged a day pass rate of €10 if you don't show up is a great idea too, as it will stop people booking lots of slots and no showing up if the weather is bad or they are tired or just don't care.

An hour isn't ideal but I guess you try and go there warmed up and cut rest times or sets where you have to and work around it

Even for non 24hr gym so let’s say they are open 6am to 10pm, how can they impose as little as a 1hr limit?? Even if limit is 50 customers at any 1 time, at gym membership fees and if they are limiting to 1hr based on their member numbers, that would be an obscene number of members and therefore turnover.
In fairness to these gyms they have not actually said there is a 1hr limit, and I understand they have high fees. On flip side they are making big profits and gyms are increasing in popularity in this modern me me me world.
But to be fair if there is a time limit it should be 2hrs or minimum 90mins. And would need some kind of booking system. And people will just cancel membership if situation cannot work with them and there doesn’t seem to be any end to it.

Man Vs ManUre wrote: »

Even for non 24hr gym so let’s say they are open 6am to 10pm, how can they impose as little as a 1hr limit?? Even if limit is 50 customers at any 1 time, at gym membership fees and if they are limiting to 1hr based on their member numbers, that would be an obscene number of members and therefore turnover.
In fairness to these gyms they have not actually said there is a 1hr limit, and I understand they have high fees. On flip side they are making big profits and gyms are increasing in popularity in this modern me me me world.
But to be fair if there is a time limit it should be 2hrs or minimum 90mins. And would need some kind of booking system. And people will just cancel membership if situation cannot work with them and there doesn’t seem to be any end to it.

Doubt most make big profits also 50 is a maximum but with social distancing most won't fit anything like 50. When the government stops paying most wages if there's still social distancing I'd say plenty will shut shop.

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

To be fair to you is what you mean. It's not especially fair to the members that lose out because there are fewer slots with 90/120 min.

That’s true but I am the customer. I won’t pay for a gym that tells me I have to arrive fully kitted out, then spend 1hr or less (to factor in the slot switch) and then leave without being able to shower and relax. Even if it’s only for 3-6 months I probably still won’t pay for this.

Man Vs ManUre wrote: »

That’s true but I am the customer. I won’t pay for a gym that tells me I have to arrive fully kitted out, then spend 1hr or less (to factor in the slot switch) and then leave without being able to shower and relax. Even if it’s only for 3-6 months I probably still won’t pay for this.

Don't pay then. If you dont like it, as a customer, that's your prerogative.

But its unlikely you'll get to train elsewhere at the times you want for as long as you want at Flyefit prices.

I typically go 6 times per week but never less than 5. Im always in and out in the hour, I come home to shower so never use the locker rooms.

I have no issue with the one hour limit, I think 60 mins is more than enough time to do an efficient workout. If I can still be accommodated to workout then ill happily continue to pay my membership. But if im being limited to the number of times I can attend a week I would want my membership fees to reflect that

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

If they limit to 1-hour slots across the 18-hour days that are in place in most FF gyms, that's a max of 900 members they can accommodate per day.

They have ~ 40k members across 16 gyms.

That's not too bad actually. Average of 2500 per gym. Out of that 2500, how many actually use their membership, or how many would go more than once or twice a week?

I wonder how many were in each gym at peak hours pre-covid. Could it be 100-150?

It's likely that from July 20th they can increase capacity to 100 at any one time which will help a lot.

But the reality is that use of the gym won't be normal from the end of the month insofar as the limitations will likely mean you won't be able to train when you want and for as long as you want for a while.

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

If they limit to 1-hour slots across the 18-hour days that are in place in most FF gyms, that's a max of 900 members they can accommodate per day.

They have ~ 40k members across 16 gyms.

The problem with this calculation is that the 50 people includes any gym staff and cleaners who are also onsite. So you are probably looking at 40-45 max at any time. They are also expected to maintain a level of social distancing, so depending on the size of the gym, the number allowed in the space could be further reduced.

For some gyms it may not make financial sense to open before the limit is increased to 100 in July.

We'll know in the coming days, not a hope places like FF are open as they we're before.

It's going to be hassle for a lot of people who will end up not keeping their memberships, for the bigger chains that's bad news.

The smaller gyms will be able to handle it better I think, less people to cater too. I'd be ok with an increase by 20e a month or so to keep my place open. It's small but it's next door and perfect for what I need.

Wait a few days all will be clear

Reckon BDunne will sell up soon enough. He's not bothered at all

Flickerfusion wrote: »

I wonder could gyms create outdoor space for machines?

Like if you took your carpark or a tennis court or something and put up a temporary roof and put all the machines outside.

Other options might be removing / replacing walls with sliding windows or or installing very large fans to remove and replace air.

I don't think anyone would object to gyms being outdoor freshly cool. If anything it would make working out less unpleasant.

With air movement increasing any spread I'd wonder will ac systems be turned off or down low, would mean outdoorsfor wherever can making even more sense.