BENTON, Ky. — About two and a half years ago, Becky Travelstead started R-M Pilates, her fitness studio in Marshall County.
When the coronavirus pandemic took hold, she says she had no problem following whatever guidance was issued.
“We’ve had no issues thus far. We shut down the first time no questions asked,” Travelstead said. “When we reopened, we actually implemented more restrictions than we were required.”
Gyms and other fitness centers were allowed to reopen in June after being shut down due to the pandemic early on. Travelstead and other owners had to abide by a 33% capacity limit, and while masks weren’t required during workouts, Travelstead said they were required for her classes.
The studio isn’t typically open for general workouts, though, even before the pandemic.
“It’s small-group classes by appointment only, so we’re not open for free use of equipment,” Travelstead said. “It’s kind of specialized equipment. It’s kind of hard to use if you don’t have specialized training in it.”
When Gov. Andy Beshear announced new restrictions on gyms Wednesday, including the cancelation of all in-person group classes, it created a new challenge.
Travelstead says her understanding is she can still see clients on an individual basis, but even that is tricky.
“Our typical rate for private lessons becomes cost-prohibitive for most of my clients,” Travelstead said. “We’re in the middle of a pandemic. Everybody is struggling. I can afford to probably give them a little bit of a break, but I can’t give them so much of a break that I can’t pay my bills, which is already a struggle.”
Thursday was likely the last time she will be able to run the studio until at least Dec. 14, the first day after the new restrictions are set to expire.
Bars and restaurants facing similar rules can apply for relief of up to $10,000, but that isn’t available to businesses like Travelstead’s.
Beshear said Thursday many gyms can still function with the restrictions, so there isn’t a separate fund for them.
Spectrum News 1 asked him about what smaller studios should do.
“At this time, we don’t have a fund set up for them,” Beshear said. “My wife belonged to one of those gyms and group classes are just not safe right now. We have reports from multiple local health departments about the spread in cheer gyms and martial arts studios and a lot of those same things.”
Beshear went on to say the virus isn’t being fair to many businesses, but we need to take action to stop it.
The coronavirus hit Travelstead’s bottom line even before the restrictions are factored in. In November 2019, Travelstead said her classes had 153 total participants. This November, she had just 30 total participants.
Travelstead said she just wants to do things the right way so we can finally put the pandemic behind us.
“I’m in a really rural area. I thought we’d do better. I’m kind of disappointed,” Travelstead said. “But I think, personally, that we’re trying to everything to keep everybody safe, and that’s all we can do.”
And even though Travelstead says her family isn’t struggling financially, she worries her business might not make it through the next few weeks.