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.”
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