Hereford gym owner supports Work Out To Help Out Scheme
A petition has launched calling on the Government to support gyms when lockdown ends
A Hereford gym owner is showing his support to a petition calling on the Government to launch a Workout To Help Out scheme.
Similar to the Eat Out to Help Out scheme launched last summer, this one aims to support gyms which have been hit hard by the pandemic.
Gym owners say that it will encourage people to invest in their personal health and fitness in order to fight the virus - while also supporting the industry.
A Parliament petition has now reached nearly 30,000 signatures but need 100,000 signatures for it to be debated.
Will Loughman, owner of Loughman's Crossfit Gym in Hereford, said:
"It will be a huge benefit for us a business to get up and running as soon as possible and ensure we can provide a service which are members are paying for.
"So anything which can do that can is really welcomed".
Will says he's had to take "drastic measures" to cope with the financial impact of closing during the pandemic.
Government grants have been made available to businesses, including gyms, but Will says it hasn't gone far enough.
He added:
"On the face of it people may think it all looks fine and that businesses like ours will be able to keep going and come out the other end but it's not like that unfortunately.
"We're fortunate to have these grants but it's not going to be enough for us to make sure the business is still here".
At the end of last year, the Government also launched a campaign encouraging people to get fit and lose weight to make sure to extra pressure was put on the NHS.
It's believed people taking care of their health and fitness will mean they are less susceptible to contract Covid-19.
Will continued:
"We've had people contacting us who want to be members and want to be and I think this lockdown and previous lockdowns has given people the opportunity to think about their physical health.
"Regardless of Covid, combatting other health issues, like obesity, is vastly important to take the pressure off the NHS.
"I think it's been a bit of a wake up call for people and they're just as eager to come back as we are to open".
You can find the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/567492