The Future Of Gyms Is Uncertain

You don't need me to tell you about the effect this pandemic has had on the world. Whether you think its actually real or not is another story, and for me, a post for another blog. Bottom line is, this situation has had a dramatic effect on how we go about our daily lives. And Gyms, as well as the retail sector (and everything else other than what is owned by the 1% - which have profited massively), has been hit very hard.

When the pandemic started in the UK, to try and "stop the spread" we were told that there would be 2 -3 week lockdown to "flattern the curve". Many months and 3 lockdowns later we still don't see no end in sight. And now, there is a new invisible enemy in town. A "new strain", or mutation of the virus that is said to be more contagious than the previous strain.

"Gym Closed Temporarily" 

I'm sure you've seen the same message yourself recently

So it really does seem like this "new normal" isn't going anywhere, and any hopes of getting our lives back to anything like they were before this pandemic are fast being eradicated. Personally, I don't think things are ever going back to normal. Not the normal we once knew anyway. That's why phrases like "new normal" have been coined. It's telling us all that this is our new normal, and we better get used to it.

With months of experience under our belts, and with people now just accepting a new lockdown without much resistance, we are now more mentally conditioned to this new way of life than ever, and anytime the powers that be snap their fingers, it's back into your home for you, get back in your hole. Big brother says your grounded, just like when you were a kid being grounded by your parents.

Anyway, the meaning of this post was to highlight the reality of the title: The Future Of Gyms Is Uncertain. [Update while writing this post: Apparently, according to some news reports in the UK, it's just being reported that the closure of gyms may now be permanent.] In fact, the future of everything is uncertain. So, for those who rely on the gym to stay in shape, and feel completely lost without it,  you better change your mindset right now.

Through no fault of their own, Gyms can not be relied on anymore. They are seen as a high risk for spreading the virus / infection, and as a result almost all of them have been shut down nationwide. And at any point in the future, if they do happen to open again, they can be closed faster than you can say - I'm going to the gym on Monday.

If you prefer to do weights its now best to just buy your own. Take a look on eBay, Argos, Amazon, Gumtree etc. I know a lot of the big stores are now sold out of training equipment like free weights (Iron and Vinyl), benches etc due to sheer amount of people that now need to train at home. However, there is still alot of training equipment available on eBay and Gumtree, new and used.

But be warned, the prices have basically doubled. I should know, I have been selling a lot of my weights equipment at the moment, I'm more of a bodyweight / Isometrics guy, so don't really use the weights that much. And wow, the amount of people contacting me for weights, bars, benches, etc has been crazy. The bars sold instantly and I've been selling the weights off in sets of 2 x 10KGs for £40 each. They're Vinyl too, not Iron.

I've almost sold them all now. I'm going to keep a few light weights and a bar just for when I feel in the mood for some weights. What I'm saying is, buy your equipment now so that you don't have to run around at some point in the future and pay even more. With the potential of prices rising even further the more these lockdowns continue, that becomes a distinct possibility. Also, equipment will get harder to obtain because everyone who used to frequent the gym is after the basics, free weights, dumbells, bench, bars etc.

But don't limit yourself to that type of equipment. All is not lost if you can't find the basics for sale. I would recommend bodyweight exercises. No equipment needed and trust me, chances are you will feel much stronger, more efficient and agile than if you only did weight training previously. But I know some people, many people actually, love using equipment to work out.

So here are some suggestions of what to purchase to stay in shape if you can't find any weights for sale: Calisthenics frame, rowing machine, training dummy, exercise bike, Bullworker, Isokinator (reviewed here), bendi bar, pull-up bar, weighted vest, handweights, weighted skipping rope and punching bag.