New York’s fitness industry is shaping its next move

Some gains

Some local studios have been able to capitalize on the current context. After Leigh Burton was put on leave from her job at Monster Cycle, she started NuSweat, a yoga and bodybuilding studio, with her business partner, Ky Digregoriohas. NuSweat offers virtual and in-person classes at a pop-up in East Williamsburg.

“If we hadn’t been forced into this situation, I don’t know if I personally would have felt the need to quit what I was doing,” said Burton.

BYKLYN, a Brooklyn cycling studio, was able to transform their business into an outdoor cycling site. In doing so, noted founder Amy Glosser, the company’s revenues have returned to pre-pandemic levels.

“I’m unusual,” she said. “I found a way to stay open and start a business given the madness of the pandemic.”

But successes like these are the exception, not the rule.

“Let’s be clear: this is a small percentage of the market,” Barnes pointed out, “probably no more than 15-20%”.

To make matters worse, many gyms and studios still have to pay rent back to landlords, and New York’s eviction moratorium expires on January 15.

“Most gyms won’t do [it through] the winter months, ”Cassara said. “Winter is our slowest [season]. “

The US Fitness Coalition, along with more than 300 companies, including Barry’s and CrossFit, are pushing the US Senate to provide $ 30 billion to affected gyms and studios in the upcoming budget reconciliation bill.

“There could be funds coming,” Casara said, “but it probably won’t be until summer 2022 if we’re lucky.”