Making the best of a bad situation: Gyms
I visited the Concept II website today. I visit them most days to log my workouts. But there's a notice there now: They're out of stock on a lot of their machines. I'm guessing a lot of makers of home fitness equipment are running low as well.
And I thought of a friend who has a Concept II rowing machine in his basement that hasn't been used in a while. His son is long off the crew team and off to college now.
Another friend replaced his living room with a home gym because he can't get to his regular one. And while that seems a bit radical to me, we are living in strange times.
But I expect there are some who don't want a permanent gym at home, but they might want some equipment now. And who has it and isn't using it? And good equipment at that.
Right, putting two and two together, it looks like there is an opportunity here for Gyms to lease or sell their more portable equipment to their clients. I know my Concept II can travel without a problem.
It might also be an opportunity for Gyms to help their customers who have unused equipment at home to free up some cash. I hear bicycle shops are also selling well right now.
At the very least, it's an opportunity for you, or what staff you have left, to get in touch with your members, even former members, see how they're doing, and see if there's anything you can do to help them stay fit at home, or if they've got equipment they are not using, to help them help others through this time, or maybe even make a few bucks.
And if you are a little tech savvy, you can even create a buy/sell/swap page on your gym's website.
And if you manufacture equipment, you can do the same. I know Concept II is an amazing Corporate citizen, and I'm sure they've got a good list. There's more than one Concept II that's gathering dust after its short use by a prep school or college rower.
But as a lawyer, I have to leave you with a disclaimer: Make sure your insurance policies will cover you, or adjust the coverage, and that any equipment leases or agreements you have will allow this. Also make sure you are aware of and follow any guidelines to avoid SARS-CoV-2 (the COVID-19 virus) transmission while you are moving equipment.