When will gyms open in the Czech Republic and how are other European countries doing?

We have been waiting in vain for months for the opening of gyms and the light at the end of the tunnel seems to be in sight. But the Czech Republic is not the only country where we have not been able to work out in public fitness centres for a long time; other European countries are similarly affected.

Sad figures to start with

Since the outbreak of the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, it has been over 7 months since fitness centres had to close due to government regulations. The last time we were able to exercise in them was on 17 December last year.

With many gyms facing serious existential problems and some even having to close down for good, we see the sad reality on a daily basis as they try to recoup at least some of their money by selling fitness equipment and machines across online bazaars. According to the estimates of the Czech Chamber of Fitness, the total losses of the fitness sector at the moment significantly exceed CZK 3 billion.

Gyms are closed in many European countries

This information may come as a surprise to many, but the closure of gyms is not just the invention of the Czech government, but applies in many countries across Europe.

Countries where gyms are closed:

Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Poland, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, UK.

Countries where gyms are open under specific conditions:

Bulgaria (30% capacity limit), Croatia (20^m2 per person), Cyprus (negative test required), Finland (closed in some regions, max. 10 persons per space), Spain (closed in some regions, 30% capacity limit), Sweden (10^m2 per person).

Countries where gyms are open:

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine.

* Information is valid as of the date of this article.

Hope in the form of the inspiration of loosening up in Portugal

Health ministers and plans for détente change all too often in our country; what we count on one day is often no longer the case the next. People's frustration is so understandable, we all want to know when we will be able to live and play sport as normal as before. There has been a lot of talk recently about the government seeing a lot of inspiration in the Portuguese loosening system, which sounds promising. What did that loosening look like in Portugal?

As recently as the end of January 2020, Portugal was still leading the way in the number of people infected with coronavirus, but now it is slowly and surely returning to normal life, including the ability to play indoor sports. In particular, the strict enforcement of the wearing of masks, even in places where government regulations do not directly mandate it, is a major contributor to the improvement. Behind the behaviour of the Portuguese is the unpleasant experience of the post-Christmas relaxation period, when the country and its health system were on the verge of collapse. The experience of the economic crisis of the last decade and fears of a further disruption of state finances are also influential. Fully vaccinated (with both doses of the vaccine), 6% of the population is vaccinated, 13% have received the first dose. The rollout has come slowly, depending on the number of infected and the current reproductive numbers. First, in March, there was the return of lower grade pupils to primary schools, then the lifting of the weekend travel ban between districts. Along with this came the return of upper grade pupils to primary schools, the opening of smaller shops, museums, galleries, etc. There was the opening of garden restaurants (max 4 people at a table) and with it also the opening of gyms, except for group classes. The next wave of unblocking in Portugal should come on the 19th of April and should affect, for example, high schools and universities, shopping malls and cinemas.

When will the gyms finally open in our country?

Unfortunately, we cannot tell you the exact date when the gyms will open, as even those who have the power to decide do not yet know. However, there is hope and some indicators that if the Czech Republic follows Portugal's loosening system, we could be working out in a gym in about a month. The question is, however, under what conditions, and whether the gyms themselves will decide to open and make it worthwhile if the conditions for opening are too stringent and drive away most of the clientele. The return to the gyms and the rules will probably be the same as we know from the past (exercise in a veil, observance of the 2 metre spacing, limitation of the use of the fitness centre capacity, regular disinfection and ventilation of the premises, closed changing rooms and showers), but what gives the owners of the gyms the biggest wrinkle is the often mentioned obligation of visitors to prove themselves with a negative test for coronavirus or a certificate of completion of vaccination against coronavirus. According to Jana Havrdová, a spokesperson for the Czech Chamber of Fitness, larger gym operators are prepared to reserve a space in the parking lot or inside the building where visitors can be tested.

We will keep Kulturistika.com updated on other news and details regarding the opening of fitness centers.

Image and information sources: europeactive.eu, theportugalnews.com, graphics.reuters.com, mzv.cz, seznamzpravy.cz, komorafitness.cz, madnessprint.com