Colorado gyms face grim future due to COVID-19

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A new survey catering to fitness enthusiasts reported 54.19% of Coloradans do not plan to return to their gyms when they reopen.

"They say they interviewed gym members but we don't know how active a member that is. We have very active gym membership, we average 550 visit a day at each of our gyms," said Duane Johnston, the owner of Accolade Fitness.

While local gyms are struggling to stay afloat, there are also signs that corporate gyms are in trouble as well. Gold’s Gym filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and now 24 Hour Fitness was exploring that option.

Although Johnston says they have active members, he does acknowledge that a big part of their demographics are older.

"We do have a little bit older demographic and obviously those people will be a little bit more concerned about COVID," he said.

The report also shows 38.7% have either canceled their memberships or are considering it.

Whoever shows up we'll be glad to see, whoever doesn't we'll miss them but know eventually we'll see them," Johnston said.

Accolade Gym says they're already being proactive by setting a plan in place for when they get the OK to reopen. They've placed equipment 6 feet apart, and have deep cleaned the building.

"I think our membership knows we're clean. Obviously there's going to be questions on what more are you doing and there is just a certain point that you have to be realistic and say I'm 18,000 square feet, how more clean could you get with 550 people walking through here," he said.