After a forced break of six months, the fitness studios in the district are reaching their limits.
They are disappointed with politics and worry about the health of their members.
District - Fitness studios have been closed for six months now. And the latest decisions by the state government to relax the lockdown did not bring new prospects either. The owners in the district of Erding are very dissatisfied with this. All studios organize online courses for their members, but exit trends are discernible. The athletes hope that it will open soon because they are largely dissatisfied with the financial aid.
The Sportpark Schollbach organizes some online live courses such as Zumba, piloxing or six-pack training.
The customers are relatively loyal, but as in all studios it is noticeable that in lockdown the withdrawals are not compensated by new admissions.
"It will take years to catch up," says Sportpark owner Erhard Schloderer.
In general, he quarrels with the long, compulsory closure: "Winter is the most important time and brings us normally through summer."
Schollbach already carried out renovations in 2020.
A new ventilation system had to be installed in winter.
Schloderer would welcome a longer-term political perspective.
When easing was promised, the sports park threw itself into preparations - ultimately in vain.
"Planning is so very difficult, and it all costs money."
Hans Enzinger is the managing director of two companies that operate the Fit & Fun studios in Dorfen and Wasserburg, the Sportpark Taufkirchen and the My Fit Station Dorfen. "We have existed for a long time and are not threatened with bankruptcy, but have lost a lot," explains Enzinger. He has no understanding of the government's decisions on the sports industry and names the names of overweight politicians. “They are extremely endangered themselves. Politicians are clueless and have no relation to us. "
Enzinger reports that, especially among older members, the state of health deteriorated considerably during lockdown. "You degrade mentally and physically, and weight gain is a huge problem." Overall, however, the members of his studios are very loyal. For example, spinning bikes were lent. However, the response to online courses is tending to decline.
By making an appointment, members of Finest Fitness in Moosinning can complete personal training outdoors. The offer was even used at sub-zero temperatures, reports director Daniela Reuss. "The customers come very diligently, and the job of the employees is also secured." The trainee can also continue to be employed, as in other studios. In addition to virtual sports courses, there has already been a digital cooking course, or the employees chat in live streams on topics such as nutrition. The membership fluctuation is therefore only slightly higher than usual, informs Reuss. Air filters are currently being installed in the studio. The boss is also thinking about a digitized entrance counter.
At Body & Soul Erding, there were no renovations during the lockdown, as this had already been done in previous years.
Marketing manager Tina Schmidt reports that only necessary maintenance and servicing are currently carried out on a regular basis.
Many employees cannot currently be employed, but there should not be any redundancies for operational reasons.
Schmidt does not provide any information about the development of the number of members.
Originally in January the Rannetsperger family, who also run a studio in Ampfing, wanted to open their Vitalis fitness club in Dorfen.
The decision to do so was made at the beginning of March 2020. Everything in the new sports center right next to the A 94 exit has long been finished.
Lena Rannetsperger regrets that there is no right perspective for her opening.
Because not only new employees are already in the starting blocks in Dorfen, but already 200 members.
“We try to keep them motivated,” explains Rannetsperger, for example with online appointments and courses.
All studios are still unsure when they will be allowed to unlock (again).
They hope after Pentecost or in June.
Regarding the financial aid, Rannetsperger says: "The loss of sales is somewhat capped and is enough to survive." Other studios address the amount of aid that has not been met.
“Everything came later than announced and not in this abundance.
75 percent never works with the many triggers, ”says Schloderer from Schollbach.
"But we can make ends meet with this and the short-time work."
A lot more is promised by politics than is actually done, criticizes Schmidt from Body & Soul.
"We are very disappointed."
Enzinger even names his specific losses from the first lockdown.
His sports studios and catering and event companies cause a total of 810,000 euros in fixed costs in three months.
For this he received only 60,000 euros in emergency aid.
He recently received the December aid, the bridging aid three from January has not even been applied for because of the constant changes.
Several operators emphasize that in a pandemic, sport would be important to boost the immune system.
Lena and Linda Rannetsperger advocate not only being classified as a recreational facility, "but as part of the health system".
BY MARKUS OSTERMAIER
