Fitness United launches to support sector through COVID-19 crisis

A group of leading suppliers to the fitness industry have joined forces to launch Fitness United – a campaign to support fitness facility operators through the COVID-19 crisis and into the post-lockdown period.

The Fitness United mission is to create a collaboration of suppliers that are committed to doing whatever they can to support fitness facility operators, with support, offers and new services.

The initiative will be open to all reputable suppliers.

Founder members include Hussle, Technogym, HCM, Wexer, Love Recruitment, Core Health & Fitness and Learn Direct.

COVID-19 has changed the way people exercise and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The pandemic had a significant impact on the fitness industry and created a challenging trading environment for many businesses.

To participate, suppliers must commit to providing operators with at least one of the following to support operators in the post-lockdown period:

* A new service.

* A discount on an existing service to reduce operators' costs.

* Content or information which will be useful to operators.

Participating suppliers will display the Fitness United official supporter logo on their website and marketing collateral, while their offers and support will be updated and communicated regularly to interested operators via the Fitness United campaign website and through an opt-in newsletter.

Suppliers are invited to register with Fitness United to support the sector. Offers and services will be launched initially to the UK market on 1st June 2020, with European offers launching in a second phase.

The campaign will initially run until the end of 2020.

Neil Harmsworth, co-founder of Hussle, said: “Fitness United will provide suppliers with a platform to show their solidarity and support for fitness facility operators during a period of unprecedented disruption and change.

"As countries emerge from their respective COVID-19 enforced lockdowns, people’s health will become more important than ever before and access to amazing fitness facilities will continue to be a key requirement. Fitness United will provide real and tangible services, offers and content designed to support facility operators as they navigate through the challenges that the second half of 2020 will inevitably bring.”

Peter Rigg, EMEA key account director of Core Health & Fitness, said: “It's really important to us that we are supporting our gym partners through these turbulent times. We are committed to coming out the other side of this fitter and stronger as a sector.”

Abhi Lakhina, managing director at Love Recruitment, said: "Bringing together suppliers to support the industry in these challenging times can only be a good thing. We look forward to supporting operators from a people and recruitment perspective."

Aous Al Hassani, owner of Evolve Gym in London, said: “I think this is a fantastic idea that will be welcomed by gym owners like me. It’s an uncertain time at the moment, so any support from relevant suppliers to help with our relaunch will be greatly appreciated.”

Suppliers can register to join the Fitness United campaign here

Operators can register for the newsletter here

Suggestions and questions welcome: email here