WASHINGTON, D.C.—March 10, 2021—The Community Gyms Coalition (CGC), and the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), groups representing more than 40,000 gyms and fitness studios across the U.S., today released the following statement in response to the House passage of the American Rescue Plan Act, the latest stimulus package.
"Despite growing bipartisan support, we are disappointed that Congress failed to provide much-needed targeted relief for one of the industries hardest-hit by the pandemic. The GYMS Act has over 50 cosponsors and would help our roughly 40,000 gym and fitness facilities continue to improve the health of our communities, yet Congress failed to advance this legislation in the latest COVID relief package. Now, the livelihood of 3.2 million Americans who work in the fitness industry is on the line. After enduring a year of closures and restrictions, the survival of America’s small gyms and fitness studios is at serious risk. The Biden Administration must make this a priority and ensure any future relief bill helps the tens of thousands of small businesses struggling right now and the millions of jobs they support.”
A recent survey of small, independent gyms and studios found that existing federal relief programs – including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – have failed to help 63 percent of gym owners. In 2020, revenue across the industry dropped by $20 billion — 58 percent. By the end of 2020, approximately one out of five fitness facilities has closed permanently. 1.4 million jobs in the industry have already been lost. The industry comprises roughly 40,000 facilities, of which 80 percent are small businesses.
Learn more about the Community Gyms Coalition here: gymscoalition.org
Learn more about the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association here: ihrsa.org
