So many businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic shutdown, and it’s no secret that traditional gyms are struggling to stay afloat.

But as businesses reopen, we can expect to see many flourish in this post-shutdown era. 

Traditional gyms are one type of business that is likely to thrive in the coming weeks and months. There are a few reasons why gyms are likely to see a resurgence in interest and business, and we’re going to explore them all in-depth in this post. 

The Corona 15

You’ve probably heard of the “Freshmen 15,” a phrase that describes the likely phenomenon of college freshmen gaining around 15 pounds in their first year of school. And many of us who have been fortunate enough to avoid contracting coronavirus are seeing weight gain very similar to the Freshman 15 in the aftermath of the shutdown. 

We saw that alcohol sales skyrocketed as people were left to binge alcohol and Netflix shows for about three months at the height of this pandemic. Now that things are starting to reopen, we must emerge with our spare tires and face the world — during bathing suit season no less. 

And since a combination of cardio and weight training offers a recipe to shed those extra pounds quickly, we can expect people to be heading to traditional gyms to work off all that booze. 

Gyms Reopened in Phase One

While every municipality and business is different, according to Trump’s plan to reopen America, gyms were allowed to reopen in phase one. This means that some gyms got a headstart in booking new clients and filling their buildings. 

Although they must operate under more stringent rules and at reduced capacity, traditional gyms haven’t had to endure as long a famine as businesses in some industries. 

Newly-Emerging Fitness Enthusiasts

While some took the shutdown as an opportunity to slow down and relax, others took it as a challenge to make tangible change. Many people began and followed through on at-home fitness challenges during the shutdown, and these people are highly likely to continue their passion for fitness in the coming months. 

It’s true that not everyone will join a traditional gym, but as the heat of the summer sets in, many people are going to be looking for a cool place to get their workout on. 

Gyms Offer Socialization

When you go to a gym regularly, you’ll have an opportunity to get to know the other regulars pretty well. And with so much isolation, most of us are chomping at the bit to get out and socialize with real people who aren’t blood relatives. 

A traditional gym offers a place for you to do that, and they’re offering it at a time when even many restaurants aren’t yet open for dine-in service. Let’s face it. Our post-shutdown options are limited, and gyms are one of the few places we can go right now. 

After developing a habit of going to the gym regularly, we’re all more likely to stick with it — even as other businesses reopen. 

Collective Commitment to Health

No matter how you look at it, the coronavirus is a scary illness. No one really knows how it will affect them until they’re sick, and the worst-case scenarios are downright frightening. This is why so many people have made a commitment to improving their health and immune function. 

Getting fit is one part of that equation. And especially since new research shows that there’s a definite cardiovascular element to this virus, working on cardiovascular health certainly cannot hurt. You don’t have to go to a traditional gym to improve your cardiovascular health, but gyms offer motivation and accountability that so many people need when they’re starting to get fit. 

A traditional gym also offers a healthy outlet for stress that we all seem to have in spades these days. If you’re in recovery, heading to the gym can help you avoid so many common relapse triggers while working through stress and anxiety in a healthy way. 

No one can say whether the specific gym in your hometown will make it, but overall, there’s a good outlook for traditional gyms to recover from the pandemic shutdown and its economic toll.