Pure Gym urges public to sign petition in support of reopening of gyms

"The focus this time must be on health and wellbeing and getting people active"

Pure Gym, one of the largest fitness chains in the country, has urged the British public to sign a petition for the reopening of gyms across the UK. In a message sent out to all members and shared on their social platforms, Pure said that they believed gyms should be opened as soon as lockdown measures are eased, stating that gyms should be "at the heart of rebuilding the health of our nation". The fitness chain also called on the government to introduce a 'Work Out to Help Out’ initiative, mirroring last year’s 'Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme to help struggling pubs and restaurants. The petition, entitled "Open gyms first as we come out of lockdown & fund a Work Out to Help Out scheme", has received over 160,000 signatures at the time of writing. "We want the government to recognise the importance of gyms, health clubs, leisure centres and swimming pools in empowering people to look after their health and stay fit and for them to open first as we come out of lockdown," the petition reads."We're also calling for government to fund a Work Out to Help Out scheme. "Gyms are an essential service in underpinning the health of the nation. "Activity levels fell dramatically during 2020 lockdowns, as people could not get to their gym to exercise safely. "The government opened pubs before gyms and spent £500m on the Eat Out to Help Out scheme which encouraged unhealthy behaviour in a health crisis. "The virus is more serious for people who are overweight and unfit. The focus this time must be on health and wellbeing and getting people active."