Gyms to embark on national protest
The fitness industry has been severely affected by the lockdown, with no sight of opening its doors soon.
POLOKWANE – Tomorrow, 5 August, gym owners, employees and members will embark on a national protest against what Fit SA call an ‘irrational closure’ of gyms that does ‘not make sense at all’.
Some sectors of the economy have gradually been opened, but as we head into 131 days of the nationwide lockdown, gyms remain closed.
The industry follows suit of national protests by the restaurant and tourism industries. A statement released by Fit SA Public Relations Officer, Magdaleen Botes, said the industry employs around 29 000 people.
“Jobs of employees across the industry are under enormous threat and taking a lot of strain. The fitness industry is completely left behind, with no support from government,” the statement reads.
Botes said everyone is invited to show solidarity with gym employees. “Jobs are at stake and livelihoods are destroyed. Many independent gyms and facilities have already been forced to close their doors. Please support your nearest facility with a poster,” she explained.
Botes added that people should adhere to Covid-19 regulations by adhering to social distancing and wearing a face mask.
“Please support the cause on social media with black and white pictures and post them accompanied by the hash tag; #GymSavesLivesSA, #OpenOurGyms and #JobsSaveLives.”
The protest is set to start at 12:00 tomorrow and people are encouraged to wear their gym clothes to work, Botes added. “At 13:00 we call on people to sound the hooters in their cars in aid of our plight,” Botes said.
One of the facilities part of the protest is Body Life Polokwane. Body Life Club Manager, Conrad Labuschagne previously told Review that lockdown has had an enormous effect on the fitness industry as a whole.
“Our gym has been closed since the beginning of lockdown and has led to a tremendous loss of income. We are a privately-owned business and our only source of income is our monthly membership fees,” he said.
Healthzone Gym and Body Beutique Gym/Physical Centre are the listed facilities open for the protest in Mokopane.
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