Here you will find current media articles about the coronavirus from the fitness and health industry.
SRF 17.05.2021
Swiss fitness centers face a wave of bankruptcies in the summer
In this article, Claude Amman expresses his views, President of the Swiss Fitness and Health Center Associationon the financial situation of fitness companies. From a financial point of viewbeen opening has not yet paid off for most operators, according to the industry association. The reason is the highn fixed costs. In fact, according to the latest industry report, rental and personnel costs can account for up to 60 percent of turnover on average. in an average year make up. This is aggravated by the fact that since the reopening on 19.4.21 only 40 percent capacity utilization are. The fixed costs s are are therefore not covered.
Two thirds of all businesses in the fitness industry are sole proprietorships. They generally have significantly less financial leeway than large chains. Despite hardship allowances and short-time working, some fitness centers have nevertheless gone bankrupt. The industry association expects an even bigger wave of bankruptcies in the summerbecause many people then spend spend more time outside than in the fitness rooms. Many operators are therefore waiting in vain to be able to take out new subscriptions at this time.
Medical Tribune 21.04.2021
Masks do not impair gas exchange, even in asthma and hypertension
Dr. Steven Shein and his colleagues at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland studied the effects of wearing a cloth mask or surgical mask on heart rate and gas exchange in a larger group of adults. The 50 subjects were between 29 and 45 years old. Almost one in three participants suffered from a relevant disease such as asthma or high blood pressure. The measurements were taken both at rest and during brisk walking, in each case without a mouth-nose cover, with appropriate fabric protection or with a surgical mask.
When seated, the different mask models had no effect on the parameters studied. When walking briskly with the surgical mask, the heart rate was on average two and a half beats per minute higher than with the same exertion without a face covering – a difference that the scientists believe is not clinically relevant. No effects on gas exchange could be observed The probability of gas exchange being disturbed by the mouth-nose protection is close to zero, according to the researchers. And this applies equally to healthy people and people with asthma or hypertension.
VIEW 15.04.2021
Mask requirement with exceptions – what you need to know about fitting
Gyms are open again from Monday. Gym operators have strict safety concepts that have been drawn up by IG Fitness in collaboration with the BAG. Only under precisely defined conditions, which are discussed in more detail in the following article, can you – exceptionally – train without a mask.
Managing Director of IG Fitness, Roger Erni, assures that the fitness centers will strictly adhere to the regulations, as regular inspections of the gyms in autumn have already shown. Erni also emphasizes that the gyms have trained staff who ensure compliance with the protection concept and support the exercisers in implementing it.
Fitness Management 15.04.21
In neighboring Germany, the reopening of the studios in Switzerland is also being noted with articles such as the following:
Corona lockdown ends: Switzerland opens its gyms
The Swiss Federal Council has made a decision in favor of sport and decided that training in the gym will be allowed again from Monday, April 19, 2021. Representatives of the fitness industry are relieved.
“We are pleased to be able to offer our members a perspective again and are doing everything we can to protect those exercising from the virus with optimal measures. To this end, the protection concepts will continue to be implemented consistently,” says Roger Ernie, Managing Director of IG Fitness Switzerland.
Members can resume their training with some restrictions: Training on equipment and participation in group classes up to a maximum of 15 people is possible again, but wellness will continue to be prohibited.
Swiss Olympic 14.04.2021
A certain relief for the sport
Swiss Olympic welcomes the opening steps decided by the Federal Council. They represent a certain relief for part of Swiss sport in the current situation.
The cautious easing of restrictions decided today by the Federal Council opens up a certain perspective for sports associations, clubs and athletes in the three areas of exercise, competition and the public. Swiss Olympic is accordingly satisfied for the moment with the Federal Council’s decision.
Jürg Stahl, the President of Swiss Olympicconsiders the opening to be a positive influence on the resilience of many people. After all, the sports club is a place where joint exercise takes place. However, Swiss Olympic is aware that the situation remains challenging for everyone involved and creativity is creativity is needed to get people moving within the protective measures.
For many athletes, fitness centers are also important to complement their activities. Swiss Olympic also sees the fact that the Federal Council is now allowing them to reopen as a positive step.
VIEW 14.04.2021
Fitness operators rejoice over coronavirus easing
Breathe a sigh of relief in the fitness industry! The Federal Council is allowing training in gyms again. What the restrictions look like, whether you have to wear a mask – and what the gyms have to say about the reopening.
There are restrictions and the same regulations apply to gyms as last fall. According to the Federal Council, a maximum of 15 people may take part in group training sessions and masks are compulsory. For individual training sessions on the equipment, things are more complicated and zones are being divided up with an upper limit of 15 people. And: the wellness areas will remain closed for the time being.
As a result, capacity utilization of up to 60 percent is possible, says Roger Erni, Managing Director of IG Fitness. Together with his umbrella organization, he represents the larger fitness chains in Switzerland and is relieved, although he would have liked to see higher capacity utilization. Roger Erni emphasizes that gyms have an important role to play in this pandemic: “It’s all about preventative health”.
British Journal of Sports Medicine 13.04.2021
Physical inactivity is associated with a higher risk of serious COVID-19 consequences: a study of 48,440 adult patients
Scientific working groups at American universities and hospitals conducted a study on the course of COVID diseases in connection with physical activity. The research compared hospitalization rates, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and mortality in patients with COVID-19 who were either very inactive or adhered to the WHO recommendation values as a minimum.
The study subjects were 48,440 adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from January 1, 2020 to October 21, 2020 and compared each patient’s self-reported physical activity category and risk of hospitalization, ICU admission and death after COVID-19 diagnosis.
The result was that patients with COVID-19 who were consistently inactive had a higher risk of hospitalization, ICU admission and death due to COVID-19 than those patients who consistently adhered to WHO guidelines as a minimum for physical activity.
Thus, the conclusion of this study is that consistent adherence to physical activity guidelines is strongly associated with a reduced risk of severe COVID-19 disease and progression in infected adults. The lead physicians of this study recommend that efforts to promote adequate physical activity should be strengthened by health authorities and integrated into routine medical care.
Uniting the World of Fitness 12.04.2021
Fitness Studios in England eröffnen wieder, denn ein Bericht zeigt: 40 000 COVID-19 Todesfälle hätten verhindert werden können durch einen besseren Gesundheitszustand der Erkrankten
Die Arbeit des Sektors war noch nie so wichtig wie heute, wie der neue Bericht zur Langlebigkeit, Levelling up Health, zeigt, der letzte Woche veröffentlicht wurde und aufzeigt, dass die Pandemie enorme gesundheitliche Ungleichheiten in der Gesellschaft Grossbritanniens aufgedeckt hat. 90 Prozent der Menschen, die an COVID-19 gestorben sind, hatten einen signifikant schlechten Gesundheitszustand vorher. Schockierenderweise zeigt der Bericht, dass es in Grossbritannien bis heute 40.000 Todesfälle weniger gegeben hätte, wenn die nationale COVID-Sterblichkeitsrate so niedrig gewesen wäre wie in den am wenigsten benachteiligten Orten Grossbritanniens.
Die von ukactive durchgeführte Branchenforschung – die von der Regierung bestätigt wurde – beweist, dass Fitnessstudios regulierte, COVID-sichere Umgebungen sind, und Mitglieder können sicher sein, dass der Gang ins Fitnessstudio nicht nur ihre Fitness, Gesundheit und Widerstandsfähigkeit verbessert, sondern auch, dass sie sicherer vor dem Virus sind als fast überall sonst. Huw Edwards, CEO von ukactive, sagte: “Die Wiedereröffnung von Fitnessstudios, Schwimmbädern und Freizeiteinrichtungen ist entscheidend für die körperliche und geistige Erholung unserer Nation nach einem so herausfordernden Jahr.“
NZZ Newspaper 03.04.2021
Lack of exercise is a global killer
The coronavirus is killing millions of people worldwide. So does inactivity, although there are major regional differences
A published in the “British Journal of Sports Medicine” beconsiders the influence of physical inactivity on 15 diseases such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, cancer and dementia, as well as the associated deaths. For all of these diseases, the link to a lack of exercise has been scientifically proven.
The minimum requirement for an active life are 150 minutes per week for activities such as brisk walking, etc. and 75 minutes for intensive activities such as cycling, swimming, etc. Only 75% of adults worldwide meet these recommendations, and the trend is downwards. Physical inactivity is particularly pronounced in rich countries. Here, almost 40% of adults are now considered physically inactive, with the rate doubling between 2001 and 2016.
NZZ Newspaper 10.03.2021
Fitness industry in a state of emergency
The forced closure is a burden for many businesses – and their customers
Leading voices in the industry have their say in this article and paint a worrying picture of the financial situation of fitness providers – but above all of the health situation of customers.
The “gym” is a thing of the past: nowadays, there are more and more studios that are aimed at a much broader section of the population, says Roger Erni, Managing Director of IG Fitness, who is quoted in this article. Almost 1.2 million Swiss citizens (14% of the population) are members of a center. By comparison, football clubs have 282,000 members, gymnastics clubs 248,000, tennis clubs 164,000 and golf clubs 90,000.
A shock for the industry, which is accustomed to success and has grown by 81% in recent years: according to the industry report by the Swiss Fitness and Health Center Association (SFGV) for 2020, a good 30,500 employees work in the studios. Last year, turnover amounted to CHF 1.37 billion. Smaller businesses and individual providers in particular have been hit hard by the many closures.
However, it is not only the fitness facilities that are in a bad way, but above all the members – and the employees. The majority of customers are no longer exercising or are exercising far too little, say those surveyed. What happens to the human body when physical activity is drastically reduced from one day to the next? According to Patrik Meier, COO of the fitness chain Kieser Training, if young, healthy adults only took 1,500 steps a day instead of 10,000, massive physical changes became apparent after just 14 days.
But the 30,500 employees are also becoming increasingly frustrated because they are no longer allowed to work.
To the article
Luzerner Zeitung 04.03.2021
Great commitment, limited interest
Many fitness, dance and yoga studios offer online videos or live classes. But are they reaching their customers?
During the coronavirus crisis, many fitness, dance and yoga studios are offering alternatives to training in a studio, including in Central Switzerland. However, only some customers are taking advantage of the offers and the number of customers who continue to take out a subscription has fallen compared to the time before the lockdowns.
Not only the dance studio, but also university sports are registering fewer participants than before the lockdowns. University Sports Gampus Lucerne (HSCL) offers courses for students and staff at Lucerne’s three universities and has around 16,000 members. There are now 29 training sessions a week in 13 different sports, including Zumba and climbing strength training. So far this year, over 1800 sports enthusiasts have attended Zoom lessons.
The observation remains that online offers are only a stopgap solution for most customers and are not used by many at all. This is also confirmed by Patrick Meier, COO of Kieser Training. During the coronavirus crisis, the Kieser Group lost six to ten percent of its customers in central Switzerland. For the remaining customers, Kieser Training offers videos with exercises and explanations on PDF. There are also lectures, podcasts and tips on health topics on the website and YouTube channel. The company emphasizes that this is a compromise in the current situation and not an alternative to training on the machines. “The videos are only viewed when the studios are closed. The video with an exercise for the lower back is viewed most frequently. ”
Nevertheless, Meier estimates that the market in the fitness sector will grow – but that growth in the health sector will be even stronger in the coming years. This is not about beauty ideals. He explains: “The current situation is exacerbating health problems.” As a result, muscle mass is decreasing, the proportion of fat is increasing, the functionality of the cardiovascular system is decreasing and complaints are increasing. “We will be dealing with the consequences of this in the coming years,” the COO of Kieser Training is convinced. “The big question is: how many people will come back when we are allowed to reopen? And how many have ended up at a doctor or in physiotherapy instead of training?
Aargauer Zeitung 02.03.2021
Working from home increases the weight
The initial results of the Covid-19 Social Monitor on the Swiss population’s exercise habits are alarming. Almost a quarter of people moved less during the first lockdown than before. But eating habits also changed while working from home. Initial findings from the MIS Trend Study show: More snacks are clearly being consumed at home.
Aargauer Zeitung 02.03.2021
Roy Salveter is the sports expert at the Federal Office of Public Health. He warns against physical inactivity during lockdown.
Roy Salveter is a former elite cyclist and sports expert for the FOPH. In an interview with the Aargauer Zeitung newspaper, he expressed concerns that the Swiss population would have less exercise due to the restrictions during the pandemic and would therefore struggle more with obesity again in the future. He fears that the positive development in the area of exercise and nutrition over the last 12 years will not continue.
He points out that although a certain percentage of people actually moved more during the first lockdown, a much larger proportion moved less. The recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week was significantly undercut during the restrictions.
Roy Salveter summarizes that although there are not yet many facts as a basis, a German study shows an average increase in body weight of one kilogram during the first lockdown. This is due to the predominantly sedentary work in the home office, which is even more pronounced than in the office, as there is no need to go to the store or to the printer or coffee machine at the other end of the building. The health consequences of constant, uninterrupted sitting should not be underestimated.
Nevertheless, he does not believe that a state-imposed fitness program is necessary after the pandemic, as Switzerland is generally quite well positioned. On average, the population gets more exercise than in other Central European countries, which is also due to the good sports structures in Switzerland.
ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal 20.02.2021
Global survey on fitness trends for 2021
For the past 15 years, the editors of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal® (FIT) have conducted an electronic survey of now 75,000 professionals around the world to identify health and fitness trends for the following year. This survey serves as a guide for health and fitness programs in 2021 and beyond. The year 2020 has been a memorable one for many of us, including those in the fitness industry, and the COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything. That’s why this 15th annual fitness trends survey will have an even bigger impact on the industry than before. New to this year’s survey, for example, was the inclusion of potentially new trends such as online training and virtual training. The results of this annual survey will help the health and fitness industry make some important business decisions for future growth and development, which is why we are presenting this survey and its results here. The results show that online training, wearable technology and bodyweight training are the main trends ranked 1 to 3.
Online training rose from the No. 26 trend in 2020 to the No. 1 trend for 2021, likely due to the shift of the market from clubs to home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wearable technology took over the No. 1 spot in 2019 and 2020 and is now the No. 2 trend for 2021. HIIT, the No. 1 trend in 2014 and 2018, is now the No. 5 trend. Group training was the No. 2 trend in 2018 and 2019, No. 3 in 2020, and dropped to the No. 17 trend for 2021. Training with free weights (which replaced barbell training in 2020) was the No. 4 trend in 2020 and dropped to No. 8 for 2021. Personal training is still in the top 10, but drops to No. 10 for 2021. Fitness programs aimed at older adults are regaining some popularity after falling out of the top 10 trends in 2017 and are No. 9 in 2021. Bodyweight training first emerged as a fitness trend in 2013 at No. 3 and has been in the top 5 fitness trends ever since, peaking at No. 1 in 2015. Other trends to watch out for include outdoor activities (No. 4), virtual training (No. 6) and EIM (No. 7). Dropping out of the top 20 are circuit training, workplace health promotion and wellbeing, and exercise programs specifically for children.
Brain Behav Immune 20.01.2021
Regularly training competitive athletes show a more effective response to influenza vaccination than control group
The authors used the seasonal influenza vaccination to investigate the effect of regular physical training on vaccine-induced immunity in a group of competitive athletes and a control group. The blood values of 45 athletes and 25 control subjects were examined before and 1, 2 and 26 weeks after vaccination with regard to the relevant factors.
Both groups showed a significant increase in vaccine-reactive cells, which peaked one week after vaccination. The increase was significantly more pronounced in the athletes (4.1-fold) than in the controls (2.3-fold). A significant increase in influenza-specific antibodies was measured, which was again more pronounced in athletes. The increase in neutralizing antibodies was also greater in athletes. In summary, both groups developed strong vaccine-specific cellular and humoral immunity after standard vaccination, but this was significantly higher in athletes.
Conclusion: The more pronounced increase in specific T cells and neutralizing antibodies in competitive athletes indicates that a high frequency and intensity of training enhances a vaccine response.
Fitness management 19.01.2021
New study by Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit shows: Good fitness can protect against severe corona consequences
Those who exercise benefit: Doctors at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit have joined forces with international researchers to investigate the role that physical performance plays in the individual course of a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Inactivity as a relevant risk factor: Using various regression analyses, Clinton Brawner (study leader and senior bioscientific medical officer in preventive cardiology) and his team found that patients with a poor fitness level were admitted to the intensive care unit significantly more often.
The results underline that exercise and a good level of fitness are associated with a lower risk of upper respiratory tract infections such as COVID-19 and also suggest that active people generally cope better with such infections.
Europe Active 24.11.2020
Das CEN entwickelt Normen für den Betrieb von Fitnessstudios während einer Pandemie CEN Technical Specification for Operating Clubs in Covid-19 Restrictions
Unter der Leitung des CEN (Europäisches Komitee für Normung) entwickelt eine Arbeitsgruppe von Experten dringende Normen für den Betrieb und das Management von Fitness-Clubs während eines infektiösen Ausbruchs – wie der Covid-19-Pandemie. Darunter fallen bestimmte Hygienemassnahmen in Fitnesszentren, mit deren Hilfe die Verbreitung eines Pandemievirus minimiert und der Aufenthalt im Fitnessstudio für Fitnesspersonal sowie Kunden so risikofrei wie möglich sein soll. Dieser Artikel fasst die wichtigsten Punkte zu der Vorgehensweise für die Erstellung dieser Normung zusammen. Ein Hauptanliegen dieser Arbeit ist, den Betrieb der Fitnessanlagen aufrechtzuerhalten und dass die Menschen körperlich aktiv bleiben, um damit einen erheblichen Beitrag zur Erhaltung und Verbesserung des sozialen, psychischen und physischen Wohlbefindens der Menschen zu leisten.
Valais boats 02.11.2020
Damn hard to lift
Following the renewed closure of fitness studios in Valais on 22 October, there is a lack of understanding among the operators: the second closure would give many people the feeling that fitness is dangerous in connection with corona: “But this is demonstrably not the case,” adds one of the affected owners of a studio. Like his colleagues before him, the operator of another fitness studio emphasizes that not a single positive case from fitness studios is known to date. The protection concepts have been implemented down to the last detail. The distances in the changing rooms, for example, have been scrupulously maintained over the months. The operators recognize the urgency with which the authorities need to take action against the rapidly increasing number of cases. However, they are bothered by the fact that their fitness centers are classified by the Valais State Council as leisure facilities like a theater or bowling alley. This also goes too far for other gym operators in Lower Valais. Three of them have therefore lodged an administrative appeal with the Valais cantonal court. They argue that the measures imposed by the State Council to prevent the further spread of the virus are tantamount to a ban on their profession.
Fitness Management 15.10.2020
ClubIntel study provides new figures on the international fitness market
As part of the study ‘The Fitness Industry’s Re-Awakening Post-COVID-19 Facility Closures’, ClubIntel’s market researchers surveyed operators worldwide and provided new insights from various global markets:
- How is the international fitness and health industry doing after the coronavirus lockdown and the country-specific reopening?
- How sensitive are customers and members to current developments?
- And how do fitness professionals see the future of our industry?
Stephen Tharrett and his team have looked closely at these and many other questions and recently published their report. Some of the answers can be found in this article.
Les Echos 07.10.2020
Sports halls take legal action against their closure
The professional association France Active, which brings together various fitness center operators, among others, had filed 16 summary proceedings against the violation of fundamental freedom with the administrative courts of the department and won the case: According to the administrative judge, the closure of the sports facilities in Rennes “seriously and directly undermines the economic and financial situation”. The closure of all sports facilities in Rennes ordered by the authorities at the end of September was therefore declared invalid. In Toulouse, gyms and other sports facilities were also able to resume operations a few days ago.
Aargauer Zeitung 02.10.2020
Fitness despite corona: who is still exercising?
The article entitled Fitness trotz Corona: Wer trainiert noch? was published in the Aargauer Zeitung on 2 October 2020 and addresses the risks and opportunities associated with coronavirus in the fitness studio sector. Many members continue to come to the gyms and are positive about adhering to the protection programs. Nevertheless, according to the Swiss Fitness and Health Association (SFGV), current visitor numbers are on average 30-40% below those of the previous year, albeit with significant differences across the industry. The provider Migros, for example, recorded significantly higher visitor numbers after reopening than in the previous year. In this article, sports business expert Stefan Ludwig from the auditing firm Deloitte explains why the industry is likely to recover from the crisis and that we are dealing with a consolidation market rather than a crowding-out market for the major providers due to a long-term increase in demand.
Aachener Zeitung 01.10.2020
Gyms will continue to struggle with coronavirus consequences for a long time to come
Gyms are a billion-dollar business, with around one in seven German citizens being a member of a fitness facility. The coronavirus pandemic was a major setback for the industry. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, gyms in Germany had to close from mid-March to mid-May or early June, with the period varying from state to state. Many of the guests returned to the machines or mats as soon as they reopened, which was seen as a positive in this situation. Birgit Schwarze, President of the German Fitness Studio Association DSSV, explains the relatively positive figures from her point of view with the general trend towards greater health awareness. Schwarze does not see any long-term damage caused by corona, such as general skepticism about indoor sports with other people in close proximity. The studios have strict hygiene concepts and she is not aware of any cases of new coronavirus infections in a gym.
Espanaactiva 30.09.2020
Manifesto for sports centers to continue to actively contribute to the system to combat COVID19, both in the prevention of infections and in the recovery of those affected
A statement from the National Federation of Sports Facilities FNEID and the Espana Activa Foundation assesses the situation surrounding Covid-19 and visits to gyms as follows: A recently published study from England shows that only 0.34 positive cases of corona can be detected for every 100,000 visits to fitness centers. These results are in line with a study at the University of Madrid, which is still running until October and the results of which will be published in the coming weeks. The protection program in the Spanish studios is very extensive and, according to current knowledge, is being strictly adhered to. The statement concludes with five points that summarize the relevance of gyms for the Spanish population as facilities for immune-boosting activities and for improving general health in the fight against covid-19.
Luzerner Zeitung 11.09.2020
Off to the gym after summer? Fitness centers have 40 percent fewer visitors and hardly any new subscribers due to corona
This article summarizes the economic situation of fitness centers and underlines the uncertainty in the population due to Corona. For fear of infection, some fitness subscribers are still staying at home. It is true that many existing customers are showing understanding and, in the case of smaller providers, are even waiving their time credit during the lockdown in March to May. Nevertheless, potential new subscribers are more cautious and prefer to wait out the situation. Fitness centers are therefore increasingly investing in digital offers. However, the infrastructure cannot be moved online and larger chains, some of which are even expanding, seem to be doing better. However, with a share of 28%, larger chains make up the minority of all Swiss fitness centers.
