Are gyms closed due to coronavirus? PureGym, Fitness First and Virgin Active updates
AS the coronavirus outbreak started to take off in the UK, gyms and leisure centres were among the first wave of businesses ordered to close by the government.
Experts said gyms were a hotbed for the virus to spread and closing them was a key way to stop people going out. Here's what the closures mean for gym members.
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Are all gyms closed due to coronavirus?
Yes. Initially, most gyms stayed open despite experts warning they were "high risk" locations for coronavirus to spread.
But when the government forced pubs and restaurants to close on March 20 it included gyms and leisure centres in the directive.
Some gyms had already chosen to close their doors beforehand, but others including many of the big chains had initially continued to operate as usual despite calls for Brits to "avoid all non-essential social contact".
The forced closures now extend to all non-essential shops and many public places including libraries, community centres and places of worship.
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What have gym chains said about closing?
PureGym
PureGym has said its members won't pay while the gym chain is forced to keep its doors closed and its doing everything it can to support its workers, members and self-employed personal trainers.
"We have automatically stopped your payments so there is nothing for you to do," .
"When your gym is back open, we will credit your first payment by any outstanding amount from your current monthly subscription."
PureGym offers an app to members with home workouts, on-demand classes, and nutrition and wellbeing advice.
DW Fitness First
DW Fitness First has also promised to cease gym membership payments while its gyms are closed.
The gym chain says it won't request direct debits at the end of the month and will automatically freeze all accounts.
"No direct debits will be taken during the closure period," the .
"It is our intention to add the equivalent period on to the end of the contract to cover the time our sites are closed, for up front paying members."
Virgin Active
Virgin Active is also automatically freezing gym memberships and will take no fees until the 42 branches reopen.
"We will credit your membership account with any freeze fees you have already paid relating to the period of closure, and will also credit you with any pro-rata membership fees already paid for the period from March 21 to 31," .
"This credit will be applied automatically once your club re-opens and your membership is active. "There is no need for you to do anything - we will take care of all the administration of this."
Virgin Active encouraged members to visit its social channels for health advice and home workouts.
Nuffield Health
Nuffield Health has closed its fitness and well-being clubs in line with the government's orders and like other gym chains is ceasing memberships.
"Your membership fees will be frozen and we won’t be collecting your direct debit until we can re-open," .
"Please check your email for regular updates regarding re-opening and alternative ways to stay fit, healthy and active during this time."
Nuffield Health said members could find workouts on its YouTube channel and encouraged them to download its app.
David Lloyd Clubs
David Lloyd Clubs has also promised not to take money from gym members while its doors are closed.
"These times are unprecedented and while the club is closed, we will not debit your account with any membership fees from the start of April," .
"Your membership will remain dormant and no further fees will be taken until the club re-opens. "We will find a way to credit you for the remaining days in March and will communicate this detail soon."
David Lloyd Clubs also encouraged members to download its mobile app for daily workouts and advice.
The Gym Group
The Gym Group has reassured members they won't pay while the chain is closed.
"We have frozen all membership payments. There may be a delay for some members whilst their bank processes the freeze request," .
"The value of the remainder of your current monthly subscription will be deducted from the first payment taken after we re-open your gym."
The Gym Group says it will give members exercise content they can use outside or at home and encouraged people to check its social accounts.
Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness does not mention whether memberships will be frozen .
Instead its independently-owned branches, which operate are small businesses, will get in touch with members direct to explain what the closure means for them.
They also encouraged members to use their app for exercise plans and videos.
What will happen to my gym membership while they're closed?
For most people you don't need to contact your branch to cancel your membership. But if in doubt visit their website.
Most major chains have automatically frozen gym memberships so no more payments will be taken until the government allows them to reopen.
Gym fees already paid will be either refunded by most gyms or added to accounts as a credit.