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A fitness instructor who worked out of the Total Fitness gym in Huddersfield has spoken of his shock at a decision to shut it down.
The company announced on Wednesday that the gym on the Tandem Industrial Estate at Waterloo wouldn’t re-open after lockdown.
Total Fitness entered a Company Voluntary Arrangement with creditors and closure of the Huddersfield gym was a part of that agreement.
The company confirmed that the Huddersfield gym was the only one to be shut down. Its remaining 16 gyms will re-open when restrictions allow.
Adam Batchelor, of NRG for Life, said the closure would leave “a big hole” for the Huddersfield gym community, many of whom relied on exercise for physical and mental well-being.
Adam said there was a big social aspect at Total Fitness and added: “I’ve spent the last 10 years building relationships with clients, members and staff and to have that taken away just two and half weeks before we were due to re-open is devastating.
“Total Fitness was home to several thousand members. The club had a fantastic atmosphere and gave many members a sense of ‘belonging’ where you could exercise, chat, socialise, relax, eat and drink – all aspects vital for mental well-being.
“The closure of the club leaves a big hole in Huddersfield. This will have a hugely negative impact on people’s health and well-being at a time when health, fitness and well-being should be part of the solution to us all dealing with the ongoing impact of Covid and lockdown.
“I hope that someone is able to convince the landlord that the site should remain a gym to provide invaluable facilities to a lot of people from all over Huddersfield.”
Huddersfield has also lost the former DW Fitness gym in Wakefield Road, Moldgreen, which shut five months ago.
In a statement Sophie Lawler, Total Fitness CEO, said: “This has been a very difficult decision to make as we know how important the club is to many people in Huddersfield.
“A combination of the heavy impact of membership loss due to the pandemic, the exceptionally high fixed costs, and disproportionately long time it will take to recover, means we would be unable to continue operating the site.”
Read our original story HERE.
Absolutely devastated at the closure Adam is quite right at the scale of negative impact in the community right now. I have worked front line all through the past year and couldn’t wait for the gym to open to rejoin as was many others, my m-i-l had hip replacement 8 wks ago and has been a TF member for nearly 20 years as has I and she is definitely feeling down in the dumps at this closure too.
Very disappointing to see it close especially with the knock on effect for those who worked as a freelance trainer, member of staff or physio.
I’m so upset about the decision to close my local gym, at Waterloo.
The pools & facilities were wonderful.
I’ve worked in adult social care thought out the pandemic and going back to Total Fitness was the main thing that mentally was Keeping me going.
I’m devastated by the decision to close.
I’ve tried to find an alternative, however, finding somewhere with space & pool is Proving impossible!
It’s so unfair that where you live in England ( ie North of England ) can determine access to quality leisure facilities.
Gail Graham
From Mirfield
Depressed about the whole situation!