The coronavirus outbreak has forced many fitness studios and gyms to temporarily close their doors. This situation is unfortunate of course for the business, but also for the member community who is still in need of physical activity (especially in our increasingly cooped-up, “shelter-at-home” world). To deal with this troubling situation, many studios and members have arrived at a mutually beneficial arrangement: equipment rentals. 

Why it’s not a bad idea. 

The essence of this idea is actually fairly straightforward: if a studio can’t offer the use of their facilities right now, why not rent out some of their equipment to their clients who are stuck at home? With many retail stores also closing up shop, it’s becoming more and more difficult to find places that sell anything but essentials. For many fitness junkies, renting equipment may be the only option to get their fix for the foreseeable future. 

Fitness studios have a couple of options when it comes to loaning out their equipment. They can either charge for the rentals, which keeps things fairly clean and transactional. This provides gyms with a much-needed influx of capital, and customers a no-strings-attached source of workout gear.  Studios can also include free equipment rentals as a perk of clients maintaining an active membership with them, which rewards members for their loyalty and maintains a healthy client base for the studio’s longer-term future. 

If you’re a member at a gym or studio that offers live-stream workouts, imagine how much more effective and enjoyable that at-home workout would be using the same equipment you’ve grown to know and love during your regular group workouts. Plus, renting equipment could add some much-needed motivation to actually join the streaming workouts and stay active: if you’re going to pay for the equipment (or at the very least go pick it up or have someone deliver it to you) you’re less likely to look at it sitting there and think, “Nah…” 

What it might look like 

At CrossFit Inferno, Bill Grundler sent out an email to his clients letting them know about the option to rent. He shared what they could rent and how they could supplement: “The checked-out equipment will start with a KB or DB, a band, and a PVC pipe if you need it. Ideally, I would like you to have a heavy object and a light object. I think we can get the light objects around the house, or if you have some small dumbbells at home those would work great.” In his message, Grundler promises that the situation is temporary, but also promises the same hard-core workout his clients have come to expect at his box.   

Rentals don’t have to be limited to weights, either. Equipment rental is also a great option for indoor cycling studios and fanatics, making participation in live-streamed spinning classes not just possible, but fun. After days of forced isolation, nothing will feel better than hopping back on the bike with a bunch of familiar faces.  

If you’re keen to get started, find out if your gym or studio is offering equipment rentals. They may have posted about it on social media or sent an email to their members. But if not, drop them a line to inquire.  Maybe it hasn’t even occurred to them, and your suggestion could become a boon to both the business and other members there. Many studios are even offering delivery and pick-up of the equipment, which definitely sweetens the deal.   

Of course, nothing compares to being with your fellow members and trainers at your studio or gym in-person. But for the time being, rentals like this can help you stay connected to your wellness community, at a time when both wellness and community can feel in short supply. 

Remember, we are getting through this together, and together we will emerge stronger. To show your local studios support during this time, please visit them on Mindbody.io or in the Mindbody app and find your favorite classes or one you've always wanted to try. Also, tag them on social media, along with @Mindbody, and we will support in any way we can.