Bruised badly in lockdown, say gym trainers, owners; hold protest in Jalandhar

Tribune News Service

Jalanddhar, May 24

A day after a gym trainer committed suicide in Ludhiana, members of the Jalandhar Gym Owners’ Welfare Association today held a protest at Bhagat Singh Chowk to highlight collapse of the fitness and gym industry in the city. When every shop selling non-essential items has been allowed to reopen, why is the fitness industry being singled-out? asked the trainers and gym owners.

The association members said, from liquor vends to salons and barbershops, everything has been allowed to reopen, but why were they being kept out of the rules. “Even restaurants and shopping malls are open but the government is delaying reopening of gyms. The lockdown has pushed owners of over a 100 fitness centres and gyms towards financial crisis,” said, Jimmy Singh, owner of Power X4 gym.

The protesters said, last year too, due to the restrictions, they suffered huge losses. Many were forced to remain out of salary for months. They said they were struggling to pay the rent and salaries of their employees, as they were unable to do any business.

They held placards reading how to pay the rent? Gyms closed, liquor vends open! why?

Fitness freaks, including both men and women participated in the protest. Mukesh Verma, a gym trainer, said, “It is because of gyms and fitness centres only that the youth have shifted their attention from drugs to physical fitness. There are many addicts who have now opted for the route of physical fitness. If liquor vends are opened, then gyms should also be permitted to reopen. Last year’s financial crisis is still fresh in our memories. And we are deeply saddened by the death of young fitness trainer, Varinder Kohli, who consumed poison. His wife told the police that he took the extreme step due to financial crisis.”

The agitators therefore demanded the fitness industry to be allowed to resume as they could not bear more losses. The gym owners assured to take all the Covid safety related protocols.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.