The gym and fitness sector, which covers more than half a million customers in Portugal, will be “one of the most negatively affected” due to the Covid-19 pandemic, sports management specialist Alfredo Silva explained to Lusa agency.
According to the coordinator of the Degree in Management of Sports Organizations at the School of Sport in Rio Maior, the measures adopted in the country to deal with the pandemic lead to “significant income losses” for a large part of the sector.
First, the gyms are closed, closing the door to about 539 thousand customers, according to data from the Association of Gym and Gym Companies of Portugal (AGAP).
According to Alfredo Silva's estimate, this stop “generates a monthly loss of revenue of more than 21 million euros”.
On the other hand, warns the university professor, the various technical professionals who work in gyms, 'health clubs' and other clubs or entities designed to offer physical exercise services are at risk.
From physical exercise technicians to technical directors, of which there are more than 25 accredited by the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ), “many of them will be able to overcome the situation with an 'online' offer”, but others “will have notable income losses”.
To Lusa, sports marketing specialist and executive director of the Portuguese Institute of Marketing Administration (IPAM) Daniel Sá explains that this “gym industry” will suffer “an incredible impact” with the closure.
Still, he warns that any analysis is "always dependent on how long the country has been in 'shutdown'", that is, with establishments closed and in a state of emergency, even if it is "impossible" not to suffer consequences with "revenues to fall abruptly”.
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