Friends, colleagues and customers have asked me about the past 12 months. Here are some things that I believe are worth sharing.
Twelve months ago we were informed that Conquest Fitness would have to close both locations in Lansing for a few weeks in order to “smooth out” the curve in the first weeks of the pandemic. We had no way of knowing that the fitness industry would be closed by government orders until after Labor Day Weekend.
Conquest invested heavily in protecting our employees and customers, and we have had remarkably few COVID-19 connections to our gyms since we were back in business. As members of the Michigan Fitness Club Association, we’ve worked hard to show our members and the general public that properly operated fitness centers are some of the safest businesses open to business.
I experienced the pandemic not only as a business owner, but also personally – as a father, husband, son, neighbor and friend. COVID-19 has made me rethink everything I do everywhere. I think about it every day. I respect everyone’s tolerance for risk in the face of the many remaining unknowns. I regularly hear from Conquest members who, despite all the safety and security measures we’ve put in place, continue to be scared of going back to the gym.
CONNECTED:As a gym owner in the Lansing area, we opened because we were ready
However, as a lifelong advocate of exercise and fitness, I am concerned about the unreported public health crisis that is unfolding as a result of efforts to fight the pandemic – in Michigan and beyond. After a year in our homes, new data shows that we are significantly more obese, depressed, isolated, addicted, and suicidal than we were 12 months ago.
I think Michigan’s fitness community can play a key role in helping people recover from the side effects of surviving the pandemic, but only if our leaders realize that gyms provide a relatively safe place to keep their bodies and minds safe restore.
Shortly before the one-year anniversary of our closure, the fitness studios were recently allowed to resume operations – at 30 percent of normal capacity. This limitation does not reflect our efforts or our documented results and sends a terrifying, inaccurate message about gyms and risks. It is certainly not sustainable for any company.
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The Conquest’s Bath site will be permanently closed this month. National fitness groups predict a quarter of all gyms in Michigan and across the country will cease operations in 2021.
Perhaps the greatest lesson I can learn from the COVID-19 pandemic is one we have all learned in some way: the level of ourselves as humans is found when we are put to the test in difficult times and the only way forward is to endure and remain grateful for our blessings and remember that brighter days are ahead.
We are determined to meet this challenge and continue to serve the community, and we are grateful for the many members who have supported and allowed us to help them pursue personal health goals over the past year.
Andre Hutson is Partner and CEO of Conquest Gyms in DeWitt.
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