CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

RESEARCH
TITLE

The Challenges Encountered During

Pandemic in Fitness Centers

A Thesis Proposal
Presented to the Faculty
Of the College of Human Kinetics
Cagayan State University, Carig Campus
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

_______________

In Partial Fulfilment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Bachelor of Science in
Physical Education

________________
CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

By

Jobet B. Victor

Elpidio Bamvilla III

Jhon Patrick Peña

Joner batang

June 2, 2020
CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

Table of Contents
Chapter 1..............................................................................................................................3

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND................................................................3

Introduction..................................................................................................................3
Conceptual Framework................................................................................................3
Statement of the Problem.............................................................................................3
Hypotheses...................................................................................................................3
Significance of the Study.............................................................................................4
Scope and Delimitation................................................................................................4
Definition of Terms......................................................................................................4
Chapter II.............................................................................................................................5

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES............................................5

Chapter III............................................................................................................................6

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................6
Research Design...............................................................................................................6
Locale of the Study..........................................................................................................6
Respondents and Sampling Method.................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................8
CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

Chapter 1
CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

Introduction

Covid is an acute respiratory illness in humans caused by Corona virus, capable of

producing severe symptoms and in some cases death, especially on older people and

those with underlying condition. It was originally identified in China in 2019 and became

Pandemic in 2020. During the acute phase the main burden has associated with social

distancing, increased pressure of families and reduced access to support services and a lot

of industry was affected of this pandemic and the government imposed restrictions

resulting lockdown and closing of business like fitness centers, restaurants, malls, and

other businesses and because of the pandemic a lot of people lose of job and stay at home

to stop the spreading of the virus.

Does covid-19 affects the lifestyle of the people. Covid-19 has affect the lifestyle of a lot

of people, nearly each person around the world. The difference between personal or

professional lives has narrowed due to work-from - home and work-at-home instruction

and people lives are revolving around these two due to lockdown.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is an

infectious diseases caused by a newly discovered Coronavirus. Most people infected with

this virus will experience fever, body pain, dry cough, loss of taste or smell a rash on

skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest

pain or pressure and loss of speech or movement. To stop the spreading of the virus the

(WHO) World Health Organization composed of precision of wearing face shield, face

mask and always sanitized to stop the virus.

CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

Conceptual Framework

The study of the Challenges encountered during pandemic in fitness centers. Will

be based from questionnaire that was distributed.

The diagram below show the relationship of the independent and dependent variables

used in the study.

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Profile of respondent Challenges encountered during
pandemic

Name Impact of pandemic in financial stability

and income in fitness center
Age Implementing social distancing inside
fitness centers
Sex Reopening the business during MECQ and
GCQ
Job position

Statement of the Problem

The focus of the research is to look into the owners of fitness centers response towards

this pandemic through The Challenges Encountered during Pandemic in Fitness Centers. This

study aim to answers the following questions.

I. Name

II. Age
CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

III. Sex

IV. Job position

How the pandemic does affect the fitness businesses in Tuguegarao city

What are the challenges encountered by fitness centers

I. Financial stability

II. Income

How do these fitness centers cope with or react with this challenges .

Statement of the Problem

This study entitled “Challenges encountered during pandemic in fitness centers"

has one expected outcome among the following hypothesis: NO. There is no significant

relationship between the respondent's Challenges encountered during pandemic.

Significance of the Study

The purpose of research is to inform action the effect of Covid- 19 pandemic to

the fitness gym instructor and gym owner. With this, our study should seek to

contextualize and finds the larger body of these research. This topic must always be of

high quality in order to produce knowledge that is applicable outside of the research

setting. Furthermore the result of study may have implication for policy and future

project implement.

Scope and Delimitation

CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

What: This study will focus mainly on the challenges encountered by the fitness

centers during this pandemic.

Where : The study will be conducted along vicinity of Tuguegarao City.

Who : The respondents of this study are the owners of the fitness centers within

Tuguegarao City.

When : The study will start on June 6, 2021

How : The researcher will used survey questionnaires and will provide an accurate data

analysis for the study.

Definition of Terms

For vivid understanding of the study, operational definitions of the following

terms are hereby presented.

COVID-19, is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. 'CO' stands for

corona, 'VI' for virus, and 'D' for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as '2019

novel coronavirus' or '2019-nCoV.'

Lockdown, a temporary condition imposed by governmental authorities (as

during the outbreak of an epidemic disease) in which people are required to stay in

their homes and refrain from or limit activities outside the home involving public

contact (such as dining out or attending large gatherings)

A pandemic is defined as “an epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide

area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of people”.
CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

The classical definition includes nothing about population immunity, virology or disease

severity.

By this definition, pandemics can be said to occur annually in each of the temperate

southern and northern hemispheres, given that seasonal epidemics cross international

boundaries and affect a large number of people. However, seasonal epidemics are not

considered pandemics.

Work from home describes work being done remotely, instead of at an office. The

acronym “WFH” is used as a nickname for the concept. Many organizations transitioned

their employees from the office to a work from home model during the Coronavirus

global pandemic.
CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter indicates the ideas relevant to the present study relating to other

studies and briefly discussed to provide foundation of the research. This part of the

research shows the literature and studies that is already conducted.

It’s no secret that health clubs worldwide are going through challenges, and now

is the time to exchange ideas about how to overcome these difficulties. The best way for

the fitness industry to tackle reopening is to learn from others who have gone through the

journey.

In China, the government closed clubs in January. Members weren't able to start

returning until early April. Catic Wellness was finally able to open their first club back up

after 49 days, but it would be 105 days until they could reopen all locations. Even then, to

prevent any resurgence of the coronavirus, clubs across the country faced changing

guidelines and restrictions resulting in the opening, closing, and reopening of many

businesses.

Part of changing the business model at Catic Wellness was the introduction of apps and

increasing online training and nutrition services for members.

Challenges & Opportunities in Strategy as Gyms Reopen

(Sami Smith - June 08, 2020)

CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

On March 16, 2020, all the gyms had to shut down as per government

directive. With heavy breathing, close contact, crowded spaces, and frequently-touched

equipment, the gym might seem like a minefield for coronavirus infection. Experts have

said that gyms can be one of the dirtiest places you can go to, and considering the number

of pieces of equipment and spaces there are, there is an excruciatingly high risk of the

infection passing on from one individual to another. 

How COVID-19 Has Affected The Gym Industry.

(Vaishnavi Gupta - March 16, 2020)

Challenges Faced

As the Coronavirus got declared as a pandemic by the WHO, gym owners had already

started advising its staff and members to take extra precautions. They had formed strict

guidelines for hand washing and cleaning the gym equipment after every workout. 

The gym owners also issued a request for anyone who had traveled abroad to stay at

home for a few days and it shows up at the gym immediately. 

The fitness industry can attest. Despite the coronavirus restricting gym capacity while

shuttering some entirely, the traditional January spike in memberships has matched—and

in some ways exceeded—those of years past. Part of that can be tied to the predictable
CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

explosion of online classes, and a move toward maintaining mental as well as physical

health. The fitness industry can attest. Despite the coronavirus restricting gym capacity

while shuttering some entirely, the traditional January spike in memberships has matched

—and in some ways exceeded—those of years past. Part of that can be tied to the

predictable explosion of online classes, and a move toward maintaining mental as well as

physical health.

How Covid-19 Has Permanently Changed the Fitness Industry

(Jackie Davalos – January 19, 2021)

Gym closures have undoubtedly reduced the amount of exercise many of us are

getting. According to the International Health, Racquet & Sports club Association

(IHRSA), an industry group, there were 4,172 health clubs in California serving over 9.5

million customers prior to the pandemic. It’s like some of these health club users have not

found alternative exercise regimens that fully substitute for the workouts they were

getting at the gym.

How Government-Mandated Gym Closures Hurt Public Health and the Economy

(Marc Joffe - August 10, 2020)

Fitness businesses around the world have been hit hard by the disruption. Even

before governments issued unprecedented restrictions on our way of life to prevent the
CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

spread of the virus, gyms and fitness companies were announcing temporary – yet

indefinite – closure. 

How the Fitness Industry Is Rising To the Covid-19 Challenge

(Sam Rider- March 27, 2020)

With restriction in mobility due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), more gym-goers

rely on online workout sessions for their daily exercise and to continue their personal

fitness goals, a leading fitness clubs operator in Asia said.

According to its survey done by Kantar, 77 percent of respondents from the Philippines

turned to online workouts amid the lockdowns from 35 percent before the pandemic.

He added this reflects that the Covid-19 restrictions and lockdown did not stop people to

keep up with their fitness goals and they continue to find ways to stay committed to their

fitness regime.

Instead of stopping their exercises, gym subscribers are doing ‘hybrid approach’, or

attending virtual classes and online fitness programs when they cannot go to the gym but

still visit the gym whenever they can.

However, the survey also revealed that workout satisfaction is lower when doing it at

home than going to gym.

CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

Covid-19 accelerates online workouts

(Kris Crismundo – April 12, 2021)-

One of the biggest challenges that are faced by gym owners across India is the

perception that gyms by their very nature are hotbeds for germs. This perception also

stems from the fact that many pieces of gym equipment are shared by customers,

therefore, they are prone to carry communicable diseases. Add to that fixed costs like

rents, salaries, and so on, and many of these fitness centres have been facing a tough

time.

Gyms Will Never Be the Same after COVID

(Abhik Sengupta - 13 July 2020)

This is one of the key findings from our recent report; The Impact of COVID-19 on the

Fitness Industry. The report is based on analysis of activity across a sample of 2,000

fitness businesses in the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and

Malaysia.     

We collated and analyzed data from gym attendance and class bookings globally –

including online classes – to draw insights into how the fitness industry has changed amid

the pandemic. Around 70 per cent of the operations included in the research are boutique

studios, 20 per cent are gyms and 10 per cent are yoga and Pilates studios.
CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

According to the data, some boutique businesses in certain regions – such as the UK and

Australia – are now busier than before COVID-19, while online classes are accounting

for between 5 and 10 percent of all activity in countries that are now fully out of

lockdown.

https://www.glofox.com/blog/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-the-fitness-industry-a-glofox-

report/ The Impact of COVID-19 on the Fitness Industry.

This time of year, gyms and fitness clubs should be a beehive of activity. People

putting in the work to get that beach-ready body, or fine-tune an already finished product

sculpted through months of hard work. Instead of the usual summer crowd, fitness

establishments are an empty desolate wasteland of inactivity. Even with the planned

partial lifting of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), in the coming weeks, it is

uncertain whether gyms would be allowed to open and continue operations anytime soon.

How the Covid pandemic is changing the fitness industry (Greggy H. Romualdez - May

6, 2020)

Chapter III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In this chapter, the methodology that will be adopted in conducting the study. It is

composed of the research design, locale of the study, respondents and sampling

procedure, research instruments, data gathering procedure and tools for data analysis.

Research Design
CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

This study will employ the use of descriptive method of research and guided by a

quantitative research, to determine the challenges encountered during pandemic in fitness

center. According to Sohil Sharma (May 2019). Descriptive research aim is to provide an

overview of the principles underlying experimental research. A survey form is a general view,

Challenges encountered during pandemic in fitness centers.

Locale of the Study

This study will conducted within Tuguegarao City area. It will conducted to the owner of

fitness center here at Tuguegarao City.

Respondents and Sampling Method

To identify the respondents of this study, the researcher shall source out

information from the Mayor's Permit or Business Permit from the Local Government

Unit (LGU) where company office is located to come out with data on the numbers of

fitness centers located at Tuguegarao City. Based on the total numbers of fitness centers

to be identified, Slovin’s formula will be used to compute for the sample size. It will later

be proportioned per campus. Random sampling may not be feasible for online survey,

that’s why the researcher will consider using convenience quota sampling.

Research Instrument
CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

Data Gathering Procedure

After securing the needed permission from the owners of fitness centers to float

the questionnaires and gather pertinent data from different fitness centers the researcher

shall send communication from owners of fitness centers in Tuguegarao City to fast track

the gathering the data in google form and the researcher will organize the data by

properly coding them before statistical analysis.

Analysis of Data

SAMPLE. As a protocol to data analysis, prior to the conduct of the formal

analysis, normality and linearity of data will be checked. Mean and percentage will be

used

REFERENCES

https://www.ihrsa.org/improve-your-club/challenges-opportunities-in-strategy-as-

gyms-reopens/ Challenges & Opportunities in Strategy as Gyms Reopen (Sami Smith

- June 08, 2020)

https://www.franchiseindia.com/wellness/how-covid-19-has-affected-the-gym-
industry.13915 How COVID-19 Has Affected The Gym Industry. (Vaishnavi Gupta -
March 16, 2020)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-19/fitness-industry-may-never-
return-to-its-old-ways-after-covid-19 How Covid-19 Has Permanently Changed the Fitness
Industry (Jackie Davalos – January 19, 2021)
CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMAN KINETICS

https://reason.org/commentary/how-government-mandated-gym-closures-hurt-public-

health-and-the-economy/ How Government-Mandated Gym Closures Hurt Public Health

and the Economy (Marc Joffe - August 10, 2020)

https://www.welltodoglobal.com/how-the-fitness-industry-is-rising-to-the-covid-19-

challenge/ How the Fitness Industry Is Rising To the Covid-19 Challenge (Sam

Rider- March 27, 2020)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136516 Covid-19 accelerates online workouts (Kris

Crismundo – April 12, 2021)-

https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/features/technology-reshaping-fitness-industry-gyms-in-india-

coronavirus-lockdown-cultfit-curefit-app-2261996 Gyms Will Never Be the Same after

COVID (Abhik Sengupta - 13 July 2020)

https://www.glofox.com/blog/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-the-fitness-industry-a-glofox-

report/ The Impact of COVID-19 on the Fitness Industry.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/05/06/how-the-covid-pandemic-is-changing-the-fitness-

industry/ How the Covid pandemic is changing the fitness industry (Greggy H.

Romualdez - May 6, 2020)