GYM owners who operate in shoplots said they could have reopened earlier as they do not have ventilation issues unlike larger, franchised gyms in shopping malls. 

They also don’t see their businesses making profits anytime soon, although they are grateful that the government has allowed gyms to reopen in states under Phase 2 of the national recovery plan (NRP). 

This is because operators have to fork out more cash in order to comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) set by the Health Ministry (MOH). 

Gymnasium Entrepreneurs Association Malaysia president Krishnakumar Kalimuthu said that he will have to spend nearly an extra RM3,000 each month. 

“The cost includes buying sanitisers and hiring extra staff to monitor the SOP,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

Business has already been down 50% because of the prolonged lockdown and he does not see customers returning in droves even after the government’s announcement last Friday that gyms can reopen. 

“As more economic sectors reopen, people are going to prioritise going on holiday. Going back to the gym will be a second option for them,” he said. 

Krishnakumar said that of around 400 shoplot-based gyms nationwide that are registered with his association, 115 have already shuttered due to the lockdowns. 

Krishnakumar also feels that the government should not have created the impression that all gyms are a Covid-19 high-risk venue. Shoplot gyms are “safer” as far as air ventilation is concerned, he added. 

“The government also played a part in our losses. They keep emphasising that gyms are a high-risk area. 

“When they first allowed all indoor sports to operate except gyms, that itself created a fear among people that gyms are extremely high risk.” 

Gyms in shoplots could have reopened much earlier, Krishnakumar, who is also president of the Kuala Lumpur Bodybuilding Federation, said. 

“Eighty per cent of gyms in Malaysia are located in shoplots. Why didn’t the government visit these gyms instead of the fancy ones in the malls? 

“Our association meets with the Youth and Sports Ministry every two weeks, and I have suggested multiple times that they should do separate SOP for gyms with and without air conditioners. 

“This is because gyms without air conditioners are usually in shoplots, which tend to have very good air ventilation. And ventilation was the main issue for the government in not allowing gyms to operate.” 

Krishnakumar suggests the government now do better publicity to explain the situation in gyms so that public confidence will return. 

Larger, franchise gyms in malls, which are often part of an international or regional chain, can survive better than small shoplot-based gyms, he added.

Owner of Pantheon Fitness Solutions in Klang, Ooi Choon Ee, said that his gym has suffered an 80% drop in business since the lockdown.

He fears that if people don’t show up in the next couple of months, he might have to shut down his gym as he has barely made any income this year. 

“I have now limited the number of participants for each class from eight to six due to the SOP. 

“I’m also exploring the purchase of an air purifier but I am thinking twice as it costs almost RM5,000,” he said.

Ooi feels the order for shoplot-based gyms to close has always been wrong.

“We are safer than a wet market!”  

Owner of One More Rep in Sri Serdang, Baharin Nasir, said he was upset with MOH when they did a risk assessment. 

“It didn’t make sense to me when they allowed cinemas to reopen but not gyms. 

“Cinemas are confined spaces. Plus, people will take their masks off during the movie as they will be eating their snacks,” he said.

In order to regain business, Baharin is telling them that in the event of a Covid-19 case at his gym, he will subsidise the cost of self-test kits and sell them at RM10 each for his clients. The government has fixed the retail ceiling price for the kits at RM19.90 each. 

“If at all there is a Covid case in my gym, for those who are labelled as close contacts, I will provide them a self-test kit and charge only RM10. 

“I will also be selling the self test kit for RM10 to my customers who renew their memberships,” he said. 

Gym user Ahmad Fikri, 31, said gyms should have been allowed to reopen much earlier. 

“I feel the government should have allowed the gyms to operate earlier because to my knowledge, there has yet to be a gym cluster in Malaysia.  

“The government allowed dine-ins but not gyms, which didn’t make sense.” 

Nur Sarah, 27 said that she will give it a week before stepping into her usual gym. 

“I’m still worried because of the number of daily Covid cases,” she said. 

On Friday, Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu said gyms are allowed to operate. 

“Gyms are now open for business. Please follow the SOP, especially the ventilation guidelines. Enjoy healthy living!” he tweeted along with a National Security Council infographic. 

According to the SOP, all indoor sports and recreation facilities are allowed to operate during Phase 2 and 3 of the NRP at 50% capacity and under close supervision. – September 19, 2021.