HARRISON, Wis. — It’s exactly what Brandon Barker wants to see.

New faces.

What You Need To Know

  • Almost 7,000 gyms and fitness clubs closed during the pandemic, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association
  • CrossFit Fox Valley consolidated operations to a single location near Kaukauna
  • The owner and staff say they’re seeing an uptick in new members and member commitment​

That’s what the owner of CrossFit Fox Valley near Kaukauna says he’s seeing as people make lifestyle changes a year after the pandemic.

“This is a priority and I think a lot of people know that. It’s a long-term commitment,” Baker said. “They’re showing up and they want to make a difference in their health and wellness.”

It’s a sign his business is coming back after being shut down for about nine weeks in 2020 due to the pandemic. Baker had to close his Little Chute location and move to one gym, but he says the consolidated business is moving in the right direction.

“Within the last two months it’s getting back to where we were,” he said. “I’m confident by the end of this summer we’ll be better than we were a year a go.”

A nice upward trend in membership that carried into early 2020 was stymied by the pandemic.

But both regulars and new people are coming back.

Shannon McKay of Sherwood is one of those regulars.

He sees the influx of new people as two-fold benefit.

“It means that other people are going to find the same joy that we do in CrossFit, but also means that this business is going to continue thriving,” McKay said during a short break in his workout.

For those new faces, many are looking for something different and gravitate to CrossFit, said coach Leah Timm.

“A lot of times sitting at home can get very sedentary and the depression just starts to set in,” she said. “I love that they are willing and want to make that change for themselves. I’m not surprised to see that uptick at all.”

Nationally, the industry landscape is uneven in terms of bounce back with gym and club visits still lagging 30 percent or more from early 2020, says Melissa Rodriguez of the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association.

“Even though there is probably an uptick Q1 this year relative to Q4 of last year, it’s still not on par with pre-pandemic numbers,” she said.

Rodriguez said  expects a year or more for the industry to recover.

McKay said he was thrilled to return to the community at CrossFit Fox Valley when restrictions were eased.

“We’re incredibly inclusive, looking for people of all lifestyles from all over the place,” he said. “Anybody is welcome.”