With six locations across Montana and one in Coeur d'alene, Fuel Fitness prides itself on its accessibility for folks all over the region.
That also means when the pandemic hit, it hit not just one, but all seven of the Fuel Fitness locations.
“With seven different counties, and then seven different ways to interpret the regulations, it’s definitely been challenging during this time,” said Regional Manager Josh Cary.
He thought the shut down would last two, maybe three weeks, but as time went on, his team knew there was no other option but to apply for a loan.
A loan that he says was full of twists and turns.
“When the PPP loan initially came out there were a lot of parameters that weren't clear, such as using 75% on payroll, and then paying it back over a two year period. The hard part with that is our gyms were closed, so we couldn’t spend 75% of the loan,” said Cary.
Luckily, PPP loan requirements were adjusted nationwide on June 5th.
That day, businesses across the country, just like Fuel Fitness, felt a sigh of relief.
And now, well into their reopening, hearing those dumbbells hit the floor and seeing heart rates back up is a welcoming sight for Fuel Fitness locations across the region.
“We're not back to normal just yet, but by opening the doors there are undertones of normalcy.”
Manager of Fuel Fitness Missoula Brenda Pollock said, “It was amazing to open the doors and see all the people that came back. They were just giddy with excitement.”
Pollock’s team is going the extra mile to follow local health orders. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.
“We just can't have another shutdown,” said Pollock. “That would just be devastating to all of us, to the members and the staff alike.”
Whether it’s your favorite restaurant, a family owned shop, or your hometown gym, Fuel Fitness says the best thing you can do right now is support your local economy.
“A lot of us count on that revenue, and the gyms were closed for 60 days and it’s taken a lot of time to recover, so it's critical that you guys get out there and support locally,” said Cary.
Summer hours for Fuel Fitness in Missoula begin Monday, July 6. At that time they’ll resume group fitness classes and daycare operations.
