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

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Comments

  • #202
    Alf Veedersane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,654 ✭✭✭✭Alf Veedersane


    ILoveYourVibes wrote: »
    You can use body weight etc. Its enough for most people.

    You can still get to the threshold needed to improve things like bone density etc :)

    For a lot of people who just want to be healthy that is all they want.

    Im not suggesting people here should stop going.

    But for people with busy lives etc. Its easier to work out at home.

    If your goal is to lift a certain amount in a deadlift ...then obv you need a gym.

    It's an oversimplification. You're not accounting for psychology. There are people who go to the gym who need to, mentally, to do a workout. The act of committing to going there is a motivation to do something.

    It's also difficult to motivate yourself at home. I find it more difficult than I do when I go to the gym...its a mindset thing.

    Also, some people wouldn't know where to start when it comes to working out at home...doing exercises that workout the whole body. The gym, to a large extent, makes that a lot easier with machines etc.

    In theory, its easier to workout at home. But you still need to know how to get a full body workout with just bodyweight or some dumbbells. And you still need to motivate yourself to workout in your living room or bedroom or outside your front door, depending on your living arrangements


  • #203
    DM_7
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 18,409 Mod ✭✭✭✭DM_7


    Alf Veedersane wrote: »
    It's an oversimplification. You're not accounting for psychology. There are people who go to the gym who need to, mentally, to do a workout. The act of committing to going there is a motivation to do something.

    It's also difficult to motivate yourself at home. I find it more difficult than I do when I go to the gym...its a mindset thing.

    Also, some people wouldn't know where to start when it comes to working out at home...doing exercises that workout the whole body. The gym, to a large extent, makes that a lot easier with machines etc.

    In theory, its easier to workout at home. But you still need to know how to get a full body workout with just bodyweight or some dumbbells. And you still need to motivate yourself to workout in your living room or bedroom or outside your front door, depending on your living arrangements

    It is vast area - many people who go on a regular basis will have different reasons for going.

    Some people will have found ways to happily workout at home, while having to stay at home and when weather is overall good. Many more will not due to a lack of suitable space at home or as you say motivation.

    It is unknown to what degree life will return to normal and what impact that has on people's lifestyle will impact the leisure industry overall from gyms to pools to pubs and cinema's.

    If I was in the the gym industry I would be looking at how to get people who want to be there back in the doors first and work from there. Who are the people who were visiting most and doing what I can to accommodate their wishes and needs. I think there is an ability to take a more personal approach and reaching out to people directly, resell yourself, compared to other areas like the cinema or a restaurant.


  • #204
    Alf Veedersane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,654 ✭✭✭✭Alf Veedersane


    DM_7 wrote: »
    It is vast area - many people who go on a regular basis will have different reasons for going.

    Some people will have found ways to happily workout at home, while having to stay at home and when weather is overall good. Many more will not due to a lack of suitable space at home or as you say motivation.

    It is unknown to what degree life will return to normal and what impact that has on people's lifestyle will impact the leisure industry overall from gyms to pools to pubs and cinema's.

    Exactly- many people have different reasons for going.

    I don't think the ability to do a workout at home in the short term means that most people won't go back. And there may be other factors that people don't go back and who end up dropping away from exercise.

    I was just making the point that just because people can do a workout from home, it doesn't mean they will no longer want to go to the gym, for a variety of reasons.

    Having space and equipment is really only a small part of it for a lot of people.


  • #205
    Alf Veedersane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,654 ✭✭✭✭Alf Veedersane


    DM_7 wrote: »
    If I was in the the gym industry I would be looking at how to get people who want to be there back in the doors first and work from there. Who are the people who were visiting most and doing what I can to accommodate their wishes and needs. I think there is an ability to take a more personal approach and reaching out to people directly, resell yourself, compared to other areas like the cinema or a restaurant.

    That's an interesting thought alright. The like of Flyefit would have a log of all people who visited their gyms so being a bit more proactive with their regular members is certainly something they should consider. Especially since it's so easy to opt out of the rolling membership.

    I think most people just want (a) to feel the gym is providing for their safety and (b) that they are providing what feels like a safe environment.

    But even an email to members saying they are working hard on plans and protocols for the safe return of their members would help. This is something they should have been working on and I'm surprised they haven't followed up with members since it became clear that August 10th was the target date.


  • #206
    billybonkers
    Registered Users Posts: 2,293 ✭✭✭billybonkers


    I just need a rack and bench :( is that too much to ask!! Don't need touch anything other than the bar and plates.

    Thinking about it actually, cleaning the pates before and after use would be a pain!


  • #207
    Alf Veedersane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,654 ✭✭✭✭Alf Veedersane


    billybonkers wrote: »
    I just need a rack and bench :( is that too much to ask!! Don't need touch anything other than the bar and plates.

    Thinking about it actually, cleaning the pates before and after use would be a pain!

    Clean it before. Then the next person cleans before.

    Is it a pain? Yep. But better than not having a bar and plates to clean :)


  • #208
    el Fenomeno
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,325 ✭✭✭el Fenomeno


    Alf Veedersane wrote: »
    It's also difficult to motivate yourself at home. I find it more difficult than I do when I go to the gym...its a mindset thing.

    This is big for me, too.

    The amount of times I've found myself leaving out the last set, or taking too much of a breather between sets, since working out at home is shocking.

    Don't know why, just so much more complacent at home.


  • #209
    Alf Veedersane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,654 ✭✭✭✭Alf Veedersane


    el Fenomeno wrote: »
    This is big for me, too.

    The amount of times I've found myself leaving out the last set, or taking too much of a breather between sets, since working out at home is shocking.

    Don't know why, just so much more complacent at home.

    Yep. I hear ya. I don't even have any distractions cos I'm either out the front or the back....but it takes me longer to do the work than it would in the gym and they're not even as taxing as something normal training so I don't need the same rest.


  • #210
    rubadub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,382 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    ILoveYourVibes wrote: »
    I prob can't use them now. I would say after he 18th i can though. :)

    signs were still up in my park just now, there was nothing in those rules to suggest they would be taken down anyway, but I also wondered if they might be. The gates to the park were open to the carpark.

    There were way more groups of people, young lads hop the locked gate to a 5 a side pitch. Most were distancing to some degree. There was a group of about 10 teenage girls who were all huddled up though.

    Spotted some new parallel bars, they are sheffield stands for bikes. I noticed 2 of them were unusually close together. There was another set a little wider which were feasible for them too, thank god for lazy builders who do not measure evenly.

    this type, nice thick bars and solid as a rock, way better than the actual dip bars that are signposted not to use!
    sheffield-Stand-root-fix.jpg


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  • #211
    caviardreams
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,613 ✭✭✭caviardreams


    billybonkers wrote: »
    I just need a rack and bench :( is that too much to ask!! Don't need touch anything other than the bar and plates.

    Thinking about it actually, cleaning the pates before and after use would be a pain!

    A plus side of not lifting heavy for ages - I can probably just make do with just the bar and no plates soon :P:o:o:o


  • #212
    ongarite
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,279 ✭✭✭ongarite


    My local gym is putting out idea of group of 4 outdoor workouts.
    I'd be up for it at this stage.


  • #213
    Cill94
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,414 ✭✭✭Cill94


    rubadub wrote: »

    Spotted some new parallel bars, they are sheffield stands for bikes. I noticed 2 of them were unusually close together. There was another set a little wider which were feasible for them too, thank god for lazy builders who do not measure evenly.

    this type, nice thick bars and solid as a rock, way better than the actual dip bars that are signposted not to use!

    I've been using these as a row variation ever since lockdown began. Ones in my park aren't close enough for dips unfortunately, but if you put your feet on them you can also do incline push-ups.


  • #214
    geotrig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,835 ✭✭✭geotrig


    Alf Veedersane wrote: »
    Motivation to do so is no replacement for free weights and machines

    You can get a decent workout at home. You won't improve your strength by much without the means to do so and for that you need a range of weights. Only so much you can do with bands and the small amount of dumbbells or kettlebells some people may have

    +100 on this , bands are handy to have and body weight exersices are ok for when you cant get to a decent level of equipment but are no supplement at all for a good range of free weight's and some machines.

    My strenght levels have decreased easily the last 6-8 weeks to a point I barely remember what a squat is :pac: and I'm struggling to replace or replicate that

    For most ,structure, setup space and uninterrupted time at home is hard to come by normally if you are there and available and then there is trying to get into the right mindset its not impossible but hard to get to if its new.
    .

    Our weather and being restricted to home have helped people adapt so in some ways some wont go back but this thinking could be a lot different come a murky dark wet late nov/dec. I'm not sure id like working out in my dark back then.
    I've probably got more disciplined or used to stretching/ mobility work and ab work outs at home (not really but will get there )overall that i will continue do them at home from now on and rethink my gym time somewhat when I/ they return


  • #215
    DM_7
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 18,409 Mod ✭✭✭✭DM_7


    Sorted?

    https://twitter.com/QuickTake/status/1262308124440100864?s=19


  • #216
    brianblaze
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,101 ✭✭✭brianblaze


    Loads of German gyms are opening again now, but that's all decided by regional councils, which are run by intelligent qualified people, unlike our own county based system.... Hahaha


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  • #217
    CBear1993
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,397 ✭✭✭CBear1993


    brianblaze wrote: »
    Loads of German gyms are opening again now, but that's all decided by regional councils, which are run by intelligent qualified people, unlike our own county based system.... Hahaha

    Know a few gyms, one in particular in Dublin 15 that’s Crossfit. That has still been charging members it’s €120 per month the whole way through this lockdown. The cheek of this lad. His argument is that he is still providing online zoom classes and uploading weekly programs to the app. Fair enough but your gym isn’t open, people aren’t there, no insurance etc.

    Meanwhile you have other great fitness people posting online classes for FREE and very high standard ones at that.


  • #218
    billybonkers
    Registered Users Posts: 2,293 ✭✭✭billybonkers


    Anywhere to get gymnastics rings at the moment? Want to lash some up for rows and dips


  • #219
    Alf Veedersane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,654 ✭✭✭✭Alf Veedersane


    billybonkers wrote: »
    Anywhere to get gymnastics rings at the moment? Want to lash some up for rows and dips

    d8Fitness our of stock and haven't seen anything on the other sites I use. Amazon?


  • #220
    DM_7
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 18,409 Mod ✭✭✭✭DM_7


    brianblaze wrote: »
    Loads of German gyms are opening again now, but that's all decided by regional councils, which are run by intelligent qualified people, unlike our own county based system.... Hahaha

    Ireland is small but I would be surprised if a regional approach does not feature more in the future. An outbreak like the one in the meat factory in Edenderry could see local parks, gyms etc closing for a couple of weeks.


  • #221
    rubadub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,382 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    Alf Veedersane wrote: »
    d8Fitness our of stock and haven't seen anything on the other sites I use. Amazon?

    and be careful with amazon.

    I see these cheap.
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/HNOOSTER-Gymnastic-Adjustable-Training-Strength/dp/B086L6VC95/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&m=A14LT199UH6VJ&marketplaceID=A1F83G8C2ARO7P&qid=1589895487&s=merchant-items&sr=1-1

    but the seller has 100% negative reviews. The name is one long sting of letters that looks Chinese and the delivery date is in mid june, so probably drop shipping from China, so could take months, if you get it at all.

    A lot of people think they are buying from amazon.


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  • #222
    B.A._Baracus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,206 ✭✭✭✭B.A._Baracus


    I can't wait to go back to the gym myself. But is it a smart idea?

    Let's just say they reopen half way through August. Won't there still be Corona cases going around? People will be naturally sweating over machines and dumbbells. Shortly before lockdown FlyeFit had a lady going around cleaning the machines however that can only do so much.

    Would be messed up that you made it all the way corona-free during these times and only to pick it up in a gym.


  • #223
    Alf Veedersane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,654 ✭✭✭✭Alf Veedersane


    rubadub wrote: »
    and be careful with amazon.

    I see these cheap.
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/HNOOSTER-Gymnastic-Adjustable-Training-Strength/dp/B086L6VC95/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&m=A14LT199UH6VJ&marketplaceID=A1F83G8C2ARO7P&qid=1589895487&s=merchant-items&sr=1-1

    but the seller has 100% negative reviews. The name is one long sting of letters that looks Chinese and the delivery date is in mid june, so probably drop shipping from China, so could take months, if you get it at all.

    A lot of people think they are buying from amazon.


    Yeah should have added that. I automatically look at reviews, product and seller. Especially conscious of where they're coming from now.

    Found these...more expensive than the other sites in Ireland or UK but they are in stock.

    I've bought stuff from them before and decent service.


  • #224
    Cill94
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,414 ✭✭✭Cill94


    CBear1993 wrote: »
    Know a few gyms, one in particular in Dublin 15 that’s Crossfit. That has still been charging members it’s €120 per month the whole way through this lockdown. The cheek of this lad. His argument is that he is still providing online zoom classes and uploading weekly programs to the app. Fair enough but your gym isn’t open, people aren’t there, no insurance etc.

    Meanwhile you have other great fitness people posting online classes for FREE and very high standard ones at that.

    You realise most of the people doing everything for free aren't actually professional in-person coaches? They make their money either through product endorsements or they specialise in online coaching.

    The guy you're talking about is probably barely staying afloat if he's charging people that. Rent fees alone cut into the majority of your profits as a gym owner.

    Can understand if people wouldn't want to pay that much, but that may be this guy's minimum just to keep his business open.


  • #225
    deathbomber
    Closed Accounts Posts: 332 ✭✭deathbomber


    get some bands, can do some great workouts with them, should tide you over.


  • #226
    Black Sheep
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 3,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Black Sheep


    Cill94 wrote: »
    You realise most of the people doing everything for free aren't actually professional in-person coaches? They make their money either through product endorsements or they specialise in online coaching.

    The guy you're talking about is probably barely staying afloat if he's charging people that. Rent fees alone cut into the majority of your profits as a gym owner.

    Can understand if people wouldn't want to pay that much, but that may be this guy's minimum just to keep his business open.

    Just to add to this... It's also not just about the value of what you're paying for now, it might be about keeping that business going so you can avail of its services later.

    I still pay monthly fees for a club I'm involved in at the moment, not because I could be arsed to do zoom workouts (I don't bother), but because I want to keep the business alive so that it can reopen properly for participation in person later in the year. If they go bust, and the premises shuts, and coaches all decide to find new jobs then I have to find a new club / team.

    ---

    Going back a few posts people were discussing whether some people might continue to train at home versus going back to gyms.

    There's obviously been an explosion of purchases of fitness equipment. You only have to look at the fact that Strength Shop, Blk Box, Rogue Fitness and others are all completely sold out. We have people manufacturing wooden benches in Ireland now because metal benches are so hard to find!

    I think it's reasonable to think that a number of people who fitted out home gyms will not be returning to commercial gyms not for budget reasons or health concerns, but just because they prefer their home training set up. What percentage? I'm sure it's very small - 1%, 2%? I don't even know.

    I'm one of them - early on I got a rack, bar, plates, put down rubber flooring, bought a dumbbell rack, the whole thing.

    It was expensive but basically my training was interrupted for about 2 weeks max.

    It's made it much easier to find times to train that suit, so we're actually able to train more frequently than we did before all of this. Even if I have a full work day if it's a training day too then I just set my alarm for 5am and get it done before work.

    Because I have the proper flooring, rack, barbell and enough other bits and pieces to do a variety of assistance work it feels like I am not sacrificing any training effect compared to what is available in a commercial gym. It helps that I've been training focused on barbell based approaches for many years.

    There is a legitimate argument that you can't replicate what you can achieve in a gym using a few dumbbells and a set of bands. But if you have a bench, rack, plates and the dumbbells and bands then you're pretty much sacrificing nothing, provided you know what you are doing.

    I can see how some people might miss the vibe of a commercial gym, or need a coach, or temperamentally just miss a group training environment, but honestly as I am a little older and have been training for longer it suits me down to the ground to have my own space and equipment that I can tinker with and set up just how I want it.

    In the U.S there is a big 'garage gym' movement, lots of people who tend to be in their late 30s upwards who have the financial resources to set up their own training spaces. I think in Ireland we are a little more pressed for space in the urban areas, but I suspect recent events may kickstart more of an Irish garage gym movement than existed previously. Nothing like on the scale of the U.S, but I think that there will be a cohort who have moved over to it and will not move back when the gyms re-open.

    It's probably a hobby for people with space and some expendable income, but honestly there are lower price point options (Squat stands versus rack, cast iron plates versus bumpers, cheap bar versus quality bar etc).

    The supply chains need to return to normal though so people can actually buy this stuff...


  • #227
    brianblaze
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,101 ✭✭✭brianblaze


    Currently sourcing the materials to build this


  • #228
    Black Sheep
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 3,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Black Sheep


    I'm on a Facebook group of people training together, and one thing that is happening in the UK and Netherlands is that local metal fabricators are turning out plates for people... Not seen that here yet! These are steel plates, matte finish, and probably not totally accurate but I would say more calibrated than the iron plates you'd get imported from China (I've seen Strength Shop cast iron plates that are hilariously inaccurate, off by as much as 2kg).


  • #229
    brianblaze
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,101 ✭✭✭brianblaze


    I was just talking about that!


  • #230
    VonLuck
    Registered Users Posts: 2,292 ✭✭✭VonLuck


    brianblaze wrote: »
    I was just talking about that!

    Pricey!


  • #231
    brianblaze
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,101 ✭✭✭brianblaze


    VonLuck wrote: »
    Pricey!

    Selling like hot cakes it seems. Very surprised someone here isn't doing it too! People are paying sorts for rubbish at the moment. At least these look okay and hard wearing


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  • #232
    DM_7
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 18,409 Mod ✭✭✭✭DM_7


    One thing I have found useful are workout videos on youtube that have no need for equipment.

    When gyms are back I might stick with the videos and even follow them for part of the workout when in the gym as they focus my mind and keep me going therough exercises. I have a tendency to stop or rest too long when in the gym.

    I am lucky enough to have some weights collected over the years (olympic bar, some plates, standard dumbell set, kettlebell) and boyght a power tower before lockdown but no indoor space to use them so have to use them outside.

    I know I will go back to the gym once they open and the weather is worse, daylight is less. I think the hong kong idea I posted yesterday with the plastic screens between cardio equipment could help reassure people alot and get them back in.

    They might have no positive benefit but the appearance of gyms trying will go a long way to giving people confidence.


  • #233
    Stone Deaf 4evr
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,000 ✭✭✭Stone Deaf 4evr


    brianblaze wrote: »
    Currently sourcing the materials to build this

    Buff dudes youtube channel is very good too - although I assume thats how you arrived at that website!


  • #234
    brianblaze
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,101 ✭✭✭brianblaze


    Stone Deaf 4evr wrote: »
    Buff dudes youtube channel is very good too - although I assume thats how you arrived at that website!

    I've been planning on building it for a year, just never had a need to until now! Their DIY Bench looks decent too!


  • #235
    VonLuck
    Registered Users Posts: 2,292 ✭✭✭VonLuck


    I've a squat rack lying in storage for years now, just don't have the room to put it anywhere in my house, without it being a complete eyesore anyway. I don't think it'd go down too well if I was doing squats while someone was trying to watch the latest episode of Normal People in the living room.


  • #236
    Stone Deaf 4evr
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,000 ✭✭✭Stone Deaf 4evr


    VonLuck wrote: »
    I've a squat rack lying in storage for years now, just don't have the room to put it anywhere in my house, without it being a complete eyesore anyway. I don't think it'd go down too well if I was doing squats while someone was trying to watch the latest episode of Normal People in the living room.

    with all the grunting and groaning in that, it'd be like having a fancy surround sound setup.


  • #237
    Black Sheep
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 3,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Black Sheep


    VonLuck wrote: »
    I've a squat rack lying in storage for years now, just don't have the room to put it anywhere in my house, without it being a complete eyesore anyway. I don't think it'd go down too well if I was doing squats while someone was trying to watch the latest episode of Normal People in the living room.

    They'd be surrounded by bums going up and down if you were at it and Normal People was on the telly... :pac:

    If you're not going to use that rack then now is certainly the time to sell it, judging by some of the crazy prices out there.


  • #238
    brianblaze
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,101 ✭✭✭brianblaze


    VonLuck wrote: »
    I've a squat rack lying in storage for years now, just don't have the room to put it anywhere in my house, without it being a complete eyesore anyway. I don't think it'd go down too well if I was doing squats while someone was trying to watch the latest episode of Normal People in the living room.

    Sell it! The market is mental for workout gear at the moment! A rack would sell very fast


  • #239
    VonLuck
    Registered Users Posts: 2,292 ✭✭✭VonLuck


    Black Sheep wrote: »
    They'd be surrounded by bums going up and down if you were at it and Normal People was on the telly... :pac:

    If you're not going to use that rack then now is certainly the time to sell it, judging by some of the crazy prices out there.
    brianblaze wrote: »
    Sell it! The market is mental for workout gear at the moment! A rack would sell very fast

    I would, only that it has gathered some rust over the years. Wouldn't like to inflict that on anyone else!


  • #240
    brianblaze
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,101 ✭✭✭brianblaze


    VonLuck wrote: »
    I would, only that it has gathered some rust over the years. Wouldn't like to inflict that on anyone else!

    I'll take it! I've nothing but time and sandpaper on my hands! Haha


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  • #241
    antimatterx
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,001 ✭✭✭antimatterx


    Flyefit are shower of ****s.

    They have paused memberships which is fantastic. But they won't let you cancel, so the gyms are allowed to open again they're going to bill you.


  • #242
    DM_7
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 18,409 Mod ✭✭✭✭DM_7


    antimatterx wrote: »
    Flyefit are shower of ****s.

    They have paused memberships which is fantastic. But they won't let you cancel, so the gyms are allowed to open again they're going to bill you.

    Would they have let you cancel before Covid19?


    Edit: not to take away from your annoyance, just wondering if it is a policy change.


  • #243
    antimatterx
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,001 ✭✭✭antimatterx


    DM_7 wrote: »
    Would they have let you cancel before Covid19?


    Edit: not to take away from your annoyance, just wondering if it is a policy change.

    Yep you could always alter your membership only. You could even 'pause' if by laying €5 a month so you wouldn't have to pay the joining fee.


  • #244
    Alf Veedersane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,654 ✭✭✭✭Alf Veedersane


    antimatterx wrote: »
    Flyefit are shower of ****s.

    They have paused memberships which is fantastic. But they won't let you cancel, so the gyms are allowed to open again they're going to bill you.

    Cancel when they reopen. Not sure how they're a shower of ****s when you haven't been charged for not using the gym.


  • #245
    leanin2019
    Registered Users Posts: 168 ✭✭leanin2019


    RTE - 20th May 2020 - Ben Dunne says gyms will only re-open when safe
    Mr Dunne shut down his 10 gyms within hours of the Taoiseach announcing the first wave of restrictions on March 12th and he admitted today he doesn’t know when his gyms will be re-opening saying that it could even be two years away.

    Mr Dunne’s gyms employ 90 and have 53,000 members and he stated: "We closed down on March 12th and I have no idea when we are going to re-open."

    He added: "We will only open up when it is safe to do so and I really don’t know when that is going to be."

    Mr Dunne said that last year, the business recorded revenues of almost €14 million and enjoyed operating profits of €4.3 million.

    He said: "The business was going fairly well and I was happy with the performance and it was flattened out, for want of a better word, by the virus."

    The Government’s lifting of restrictions states that gyms can re-open from August 10th in a safe manner.

    Mr Dunne said however that he doesn’t believe a two metre rule is safe for anyone near someone running on a treadmill.

    He commented: "I must get over the first hurdle and that is how to make them safe and a piece of Perspex glass is not the answer."

    He stated: "It took me 20 years to build the business up to 10 gyms. I don't think in my lifetime - I’m 71 now- I will have 10 gyms re-opened."

    He stated: "I think I will be doing well if half the gyms re-open because of the stance I am taking on safety because I do think that people’s lives do matter."

    He added: "I’m not going to have a business or a club where it is not safe for people to be working out in."

    Asked would new social distant rules make it uneconomical to re-open, Mr Dunne replied: "I am not even thinking of the economics of social distancing - when people’s lives are in danger money shouldn’t come into play.    "


  • #246
    Mitch Connor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46,278 ✭✭✭✭Mitch Connor


    I find this bit odd:
    Asked would new social distant rules make it uneconomical to re-open, Mr Dunne replied: "I am not even thinking of the economics of social distancing - when people’s lives are in danger money shouldn’t come into play.

    Its answering the wrong question.

    Keeping a gym open while not safe would be what he is answering too. But the question is whether it will be uneconomical to open - which is exactly where people's lives would come in to it. unless he is saying Gyms are vital to life, and he would run them at a loss with social distancing in place because money shouldn't come in to it.


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  • #247
    leanin2019
    Registered Users Posts: 168 ✭✭leanin2019


    Mitch Connor wrote: »
    I find this bit odd:



    Its answering the wrong question.

    Keeping a gym open while not safe would be what he is answering too. But the question is whether it will be uneconomical to open - which is exactly where people's lives would come in to it. unless he is saying Gyms are vital to life, and he would run them at a loss with social distancing in place because money shouldn't come in to it.

    Maybe they are still figuring it out so he said that to emphasise that the safety will come first. Perhaps they can afford to run at a loss for a year or two if needs be.

    Will be interesting to see how gyms will comply with social distancing, and how/if it will be enforced.

    Will there be a second wave and spike in cases closer to winter after restrictions have been lifted for a while, and another lockdown, since no vaccine yet found?

    Mad times, we shall see.


  • #248
    Alf Veedersane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,654 ✭✭✭✭Alf Veedersane


    The cynic in me thinks it's posturing so that their members will be convinced it's safe when they reopen around mid-August


  • #249
    Black Sheep
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 3,150 Mod ✭✭✭✭Black Sheep


    The bit about him not even thinking about the economic bottom line, but just about people's wellbeing, is probably a bit of PR guff...

    ...But I think Dunne is a realist when he talks about their business environment having been fundamentally changed. It's not just about the feasibility of implementing government guidelines, or the added economic costs associated with whatever it will take to operate going forward, it's also going to be about what the public wants from the industry, that 'bottom up' effect and whether existing businesses can re-tool to meet it. And it actually might not be apparent for a little while, it might not be immediately after re-opening.

    There are a whole range of businesses which have a model that was predicated on a pre-covid situation that is never going to return. Even if the impact of covid is that they lose 10% of what they were doing before that might be enough to see a lot of businesses wind down because it doesn't pay them to continue. We are all inclined to imagine continuity of the businesses and industries that we've grown up with, and are used to, but actually there's no guarantees... If it doesn't pay the likes of Ben Dunne he'll be out of there and on to something else.

    But maybe what I think of as conventional large commercial gyms will be able to pivot in the same that we apparently see the pubs preparing to do (To not just hold restaurant licences but attempt to operate on that basis and avoid missteps that gets them shut down). Can FlyeFit and Ben Dunne re-open running at (for the sake of argument) half capacity and with other measures, and retain enough members at low prices and be viable? Would members pay more to go to a gym like that to if their costs had risen? Maybe someone who has a handle on what their profit margins were like before would have a better idea.

    I definitely take the point, incidentally, that the type of gyms which could survive this and do well are ones providing personal training or small group classes ... Perhaps even moreso the ones which have proven themselves agile enough to deliver good online content to clients at a good price point. I'm sceptical of some Zoom and streaming content, but it does have a place, and I know for a fact that friends who have gym businesses of this sort, and one yoga practice in particular, are making more money from the online stuff than they anticipated.


  • #250
    DM_7
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 18,409 Mod ✭✭✭✭DM_7


    I think it is easy to overestimate how many people will actually stay away from any amenity or leisure facility once they are allowed to open.

    Some people will see major changes as they have serious health concerns.

    Many won't be concerned. Look at the UK beaches yesterday. The rush back to head to woodies. Wait and see how many flood back to Penney's when it opens.

    The change to gyms when they reopen may be good for members. Things like the limiting of numbers at anyone time or increasing hours would be good for members.


  • #251
    caviardreams
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,613 ✭✭✭caviardreams


    Alf Veedersane wrote: »
    Cancel when they reopen. Not sure how they're a shower of ****s when you haven't been charged for not using the gym.

    Agree, it might even be a system limit e.g. you can't cancel while you are paused only whilst your membership is active (let's face it these are usual circumstances that probably weren't envisaged when designing the system)

    Did you email them and ask if you could cancel? They might be able to facilitate it manually.


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