Gyms that survived pandemic steadily get back in shape

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. During the “dark days” of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Bokat and Carter moved equipment outdoors to hold classes in parking lots and a greenhouse they built for the winter. “We had to change the model in order for us to succeed -- almost take a step back, to take another step forward.” Now, he’s back to six trainers, but plans to keep the new business model renting out space to hedge his bets in case of another downturn. “I think it just gives everyone a little bit more space like, you know, just having a couple extra inches between mats, people really appreciate that.” When the pandemic first hit, Vincent Miceli, owner of Body Blueprint Gym in Pelham, N.Y., expected that 30% of his clients wouldn’t come back. “I do think the severity in which unhealthy people got sick over past few years is also letting people who have not done any fitness pay more attention to it,” he said.