Advertisement

Boris Johnson says gyms will reopen 'in a couple of weeks'

Unsplash
Unsplash

Boris Johnson has said gyms could be able to open in a 'couple of weeks.'

Speaking on LBC radio on Friday, the Prime Minister said: "We are going to reopen gyms as soon as soon as we can do it in a Covid secure way and I think that the date for reopening gyms at the moment, if we can do it, is in just a couple of weeks time."

He made the announcement after LBC host Nick Ferrari probed him on why as of tomorrow (July 4) people can go to the pub, but not the gym.

Gyms have been closed along with the hospitality sector since the coronavirus lockdown was imposed in March, but tomorrow pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants in England will be allowed to open their doors again, along with hairdressers, cinemas, galleries and museums.

(Boris Johnson on LBC on Friday
(Boris Johnson on LBC on Friday

The government's decision not to reopen gyms along with pubs and restaurants has drawn criticism from members of the fitness industry.

James Balfour, co-founder of boutique studio 1Rebel, has said: "In the midst of a health crisis, government policy makers have not considered gyms as a priority or extension to the health system showing a huge lack of understanding of the industry contribution to society. Without urgent leadership this will cripple our industry."

The studio has invested in new perspex screens in between treadmills and spin bikes, along with other measures to help future gym-goers adhere to safety guidelines, at its Victoria studio. Take a first look at what a post-covid workout may look like here.

Read more

A first look inside one of London's revamped post-covid boutique gyms