by Lisa Cava
Have you canceled your gym membership since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic?
If you’ve stopped working out or moved your workouts outdoors or online – gyms and fitness studios want you back!
To that end, New York City is in the midst of the first-ever NYC Fitness Week, which kicked off June 5.the and runs over the weekend until Sunday June 12the. (Sorry for the late notice, but there’s still time!)
NYC Fitness Week is the brainchild of fitness professionals Debra Strougo of Fitizens Holdings and Brian Chappon of Centered Wellness. Its goal is to “provide the deeply affected fitness industry with the necessary support and awareness for a strong recovery from the pandemic,” according to its website.
Strougo previously worked in marketing at both New York Restaurant Week Y broadway week. “These were incredible programs to help stimulate New York City’s restaurant and theater industries,” she said. As a fitness professional who watched his industry suffer during the pandemic, Strougo was inspired to create a similar program to help gyms and exercise studios.
During NYC Fitness Week, fitness enthusiasts will be able to “BOGO” (buy one get one free) at participating gyms. BOGO could also refer to a day pass to the gym, according to event organizers. Participating gyms and studios may also offer their own individual promotions.
Gyms and fitness studios in New York City were among the last establishments to reopen as part of the plan to reopen New York City. When they finally reopened, there were limited capacity rules instead. Many Covid-wary New Yorkers are still hesitant to return to group exercise classes and indoor gyms.
“Fitness was one of the industries hardest hit by the pandemic. New York saw 40% of fitness doors close permanently,” Alex Machado, content and social media manager at Fitting room, an exercise studio at 584 Columbus Avenue in 88the Street, he told West Side Rag. “We are excited to participate in this event and continue to help New Yorkers stay physically and mentally healthy.”
The following Upper West Side gyms and fitness studios are among those participating in NYC Fitness Week:
New York sports clubs:
The fitness chain has three locations on the Upper West Side: 2527 Broadway at 94the Street, 240 West 80the Street at Broadway and 23 West 73dr Street between Columbus and Central Park West.
UWS crunch:
162 West 83rd St between Columbus and Amsterdam.
Fitting room:
584 Colon Avenue at 88the Street.
Barry’s Training Camp:
72-74 West 69th St between Columbus and Central Park West.
If you want to try a gym during NYC Fitness Week, head to New York City Fitness Week website and find the gyms or studios that appeal to you. You can also contact local gyms to see if they offer promotions. Click on the gym links above to learn more about what they specifically offer and to sign up.
