Martial arts gym owners forced to take emergency measures to stay afloat

Almost half of all martial arts gym owners have put their own money or money from family into the business in order to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. It was already clear that the financial consequences of the coronavirus crisis for the martial arts sector are considerable. Research carried out at the request of the VA (Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit, the Dutch Martial Arts Authority), in which 135 martial arts gyms took part, shows more clearly just how considerable.

Almost half of the martial arts gyms lost more than 30% of their members during the coronavirus pandemic. Almost one in five even lost more than 50% of their regular customers.

Two thirds of the martial arts gyms made use of financial support from the government. Those that did not either were not eligible or were unable to find their way to the support available. Of the sports entrepreneurs who did make use of it, the vast majority received a one-off payment of €4,000 or a monthly payment equal to a minimum income. Because the support was limited, 48% of gym owners have had to draw on their own savings account in recent months or accept support from family, friends or sponsors.

Martial arts gyms have accommodated their customers as far as possible. They reduced fees or suspended collection entirely for a period. Alternative lesson formats were developed. Seven out of ten gyms gave training sessions outdoors. One in three taught online.

The figures come from research commissioned by the VA among 135 martial arts gyms, carried out by Sam Soede of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool van Amsterdam).

Now that the measures are being eased step by step, members are steadily returning to the gyms. By the end of the calendar year it will become clearer whether the gyms are able to keep their heads above water in the longer term.

The VA continues to bring the position of martial arts gym owners to the attention of policymakers, including through NOC*NSF (the Dutch Olympic Committee and Dutch Sports Federation) and the Platform Ondernemende Sportaanbieders (Platform for Entrepreneurial Sports Providers), in which the fitness sector is also represented.