SPRING BRANCH, Texas— COVID-19 devastated businesses across the world. But, for a local gym 30 miles north of San Antonio, it brought a “breath of fresh air,” according to Monica Magee, the creative director who runs Family Fitness.

 

Since 1996, Family Fitness has provided the Spring Branch community with various exercise classes, a weight room and a sports court. Magee’s parents, Sarah and Jeff Bonugli, started the gym to combine Sarah’s love of fitness with Jeff’s desire to teach martial arts. The multipurpose gym had been a staple in the community long before big chain gyms entered the area. In March, COVID-19 forced Family Fitness to temporarily close for over two months. During that time, Magee was uncertain it would ever open again, unless changes were made.

 

“We struggled within our own confines,” Magee said. “The system we operated within for over 20 years was no longer sustainable.”

 

Family Fitness needed to update its business plan and facility structure. The gym offered a low membership price that allowed members access to the entire facility. While members loved this pricing option, it was not sustainable long term. The floor plan also needed updating. Despite the exercise classes attracting the most people, the studio was relegated to a separate room across the parking lot. The weight room sat in a prime location next to the main entrance. Magee knew if changes did not happen, her family business’s future was questionable.

 

 

Monica Magee, the creative director of Family Fitness, sits with her dog Winnie the poodle on October 28, 2020 before she teaches her noon yoga class.

 

COVID-19 impacted all gyms regardless of size. 24 Hour Fitness, one of the largest fitness chains in the United States with over 400 clubs across the nation, permanently closed 130 of its gyms. Gold’s Gym, a company that offers gyms worldwide, permanently closed over 30 gyms, three of those located in the San Antonio area, due to the global pandemic, according to Business Insider.

 

Ben Bentzin, a lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, explained how businesses’ run rate – an estimate based on current and past performance to predict future performance, has been impacted by COVID-19. Businesses use run rate to know when their peak months and slow months will be so they can manage the business accordingly during each time. One of the challenges of COVID-19 is that run rate no longer applies, Bentzin said.

 

“The companies that have been doing well are those that have been particularly in tune with their customers,” Bentzin said. “Leadership is being able to be quick and responsive to change your business model to reflect how people are behaving right now.”

 

Magee listened when members vocalized their fears about returning to Family Fitness during the pandemic. People were concerned with being too close to others while exercising and using unclean equipment after someone else. Magee felt pressure to make the necessary adjustments. The capacity restrictions were her biggest burden.

 

In a time where most businesses were looking to conserve money, Magee knew in order for Family Fitness to survive it had to restructure and renovate. Magee and her team were forced to brainstorm a plan that would allow for the most capacity while providing a safe distance between people while inside. They built walls, laid flooring and moved thousands of pounds of exercise equipment to a different space. Magee and her family did most of the work themselves to save money wherever possible.

 

 

An American Flag hangs on the center wall in the new weight room on October 28, 2020. Certain exercise equipment inside the weight room is taped off to allow for social distancing while working out.

 

Broken exercise equipment was thrown out and the weight room moved locations to a space with high ceilings and room for people to move comfortably. The class studio was relocated from across the parking lot to the main building. The new location allowed for more people in each class while still maintaining proper distance. Instead of an all-access membership, Magee created two new options – one for classes and another for the gym.

 

After nearly a month of restructuring not only the floor plan, but the business plan, Family Fitness opened its doors to the public on June 16.

 

“It was like we walked into a whole new place,” said Linda Clark, a 71-year old woman who has been a member at Family Fitness for 14 years.

 

Clark attends eight exercise classes at the gym each week. She felt safe because there is more space in the new room and classes are capped at 15 people. Her favorite part of the gym however, is the community aspect. While Family Fitness was temporarily closed, classes were offered online. But, Clark was eager for in-person classes to resume so she could exercise with her friends again. She loved that she was surrounded by people who were active like herself. She has always maintained a high level of fitness ever since her high school dance coach told the team “You don’t want to come back to your 10-year reunion overweight.”

 

Family Fitness faced grim days where Magee admitted its future was uncertain. The question of whether the gym had run its course played in her head.

 

“Depending on your perspective, there is either a threat or an opportunity for a reset,” Magee said.

 

Magee took COVID-19 as an opportunity. She used the two months Family Fitness was closed to structure a new sustainable business plan that would allow the gym to handle any future uncertainties.

 

 

Cade Presley, one of two front desk employees at Family Fitness, prepares to check members in for the upcoming yoga class on October 28, 2020. Winnie the poodle strolls freely around the facility.

 

“The patterns and conditions are ready for their system update,” Magee said. “I think now is the time to learn to pivot.”

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