Gym membership affected by recent job losses

One owner of an urban gym has started to feel the impact from the recent job losses in the public sector in 2018.

Recently, owner of Sundown Fitness Gym, Orlando Blenman told The Barbados Advocate that he has started to see a reduction of persons coming to the gym. His business which is located in Bridgetown usually attracts persons in the City and from the highly populated areas nearby. He observed this change around the middle to end of last year. As a result, he has used a combination of marketing strategies including social media and word-of-mouth to attract people to his business.

A different experience
But another gym located on the West Coast has had a different experience since it is catering to two separate types of clients. It was noted that with the seasonal nature of the fitness business, some classes were suspended until a busier period. Also, at this particular gym, during the holidays while Barbadians are not using the facility like they were earlier in the year, visitors to the island will normally exercise during this time. Additionally, some gym membership may be yearly or paid a few months in advance.

Therefore, it was difficult for this West Coast gym to indicate the extent to which it will be affected by Barbadians who were recently sent home.

Recession, slow Economy hits membership first
With Caribbean politicians still highlighting the continuing effects of the 2008 recession on the current economies, an increase in job losses and unemployment rates, gym memberships are often the first to be affected. With these severed workers unable to find employment, overdue bill payments and mortgages become a priority and personal expenses such as health and entertainment are reduced or eliminated. (KPB)