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A Black Friday is the one that the gym industry lived. O2fit of Kennedy and Sportlife of Nueva Las Condes closed their doors permanently due to the impact of the coronavirus and the restriction measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic. The industry has been one of the hardest hit, since from Phase 4 they can only reopen and with a significant list of restrictions. Only 5% of gyms are expected to be able to operate.
“It is with great regret that we write to you to announce the definitive closure of our beloved gym, O2fit Kennedy. This was our second headquarters, the one we have in operation since 2007 and which had also been recently remodeled in 2018 with the latest advances in training, thus transforming it into one of the most modern training centers in the region ”, informed the gym to your students this afternoon.
On March 16, the gym decided to close its doors, even before the authorities demanded it. However, after more than 7 months closed trying to resist many difficulties, such as all the limitations contained in the reopening authorization, the high operating costs of this headquarters and the expectation that there is still a long time ahead with difficult conditions and high uncertainty about how this pandemic will continue to evolve, “continuity has become unfeasible, and we have had to decide that this headquarters will unfortunately not resume its operation,” the statement added.
Two years ago, more than US $ 1 million had been invested to remodel the site, which has more than 7,000 square meters between parking and building. The general manager of O2fit, Alfredo De Goyeneche, met this morning via Zoom with the workers to tell them the news. “Today in the morning we spoke with the team. The emotional theme was very strong … there are many years of history. In this headquarters 50 people worked directly and 20 more indirectly ”, lamented the executive.
This week it was announced that Vitacura goes to Phase 4, where the gyms can reopen. However, De Goyeneche explained that with so many restrictions, without dressing rooms, and with a maximum of 10 people in group activities, it is not possible. “How can you tell people to go to the gym and not even change their clothes? I don’t know what the health protocol is, because in the fruit packing they are told that when they enter the packing they should shower and when they leave as well. They recommend showering and we don’t … I don’t understand why. Our income went to 0. For seven months we have not seen even $ 1 peso of income, “he said, adding that” we could not. Simply when you run out of oxygen … there is a point that cannot be done anymore, we have no way ”.
One of the main gym chains in the country also announced this afternoon the definitive closure of one of its 52 locations. This is the one located in Nueva Las Condes and the headquarters, located in the same place, is also closed. About 50 people worked there (adding both establishments), they had 2,400 students and last year they had invested about $ 200 million in renovations.
“We are trying to get the people who were there to relocate them and also to find a place to work. It’s a terrible shame, but it doesn’t work. We could not reach an agreement with the tenants and the fixed costs are so high that it is not possible, “said the general manager of Sportlife and also president of the Association of Gymnasiums of Chile, Marcela Díaz.
Regarding the situation of the other venues, he said that Phase 4 does not solve the crisis in the sector. “The problem is that they are letting us open in Phase 4, but with a number of restrictions such as showers, which really do, apart from the bad reputation they have made us as gyms, it is very unfeasible to operate. With these types of restrictions (showers, close every hour), it is unfeasible. The truth is that if we were bad cash, with this Phase 4 opening the faucet it opens to jets, and there is no cash, “he added.
