some gyms are considering raising their prices

Aficionados of the gonflette and other cardio enthusiasts are likely to get their hands on the wallet. After municipal swimming pools, hit hard by soaring energy prices, sports halls are also facing an increase in their bills. To the point of having to take measures, and to think, for some, to increase the price of their subscriptions, if the situation settles in the long term.

While rent and payroll make up the lion’s share of their expenses, sports halls are indeed energy-intensive: their machines consume electricity all day long, the premises, which are often large, are constantly lit and heated or air-conditioned – depending on the season – and the showers need substantial hot water tanks. “For a room, gas and electricity expenses generally represent 5 to 7% of the annual operating price“, explains Virgile Caillet, general delegate of the Union Sport & cycle. “For us, energy represents between 3% and 4% of turnover“says Gaëtan Dubuisson, general manager of the Fitness Park group. “We are small structures, but our electricity expenses reach 7000 to 8000 euros per yearper room, adds the president and founder of the Orange Bleue network, Thierry Marquer.

The gas and electricity bill is therefore substantial, and continues to increase. And this, while the networks have taken two years of chaotic Covid, synonymous with the erosion of their subscriber file. The energy bill has doubled at L’Orange bleue, and it has doubled or even tripled at Fitness Park. Not everyone is affected as much: in demand, the Keepcool network, which has recently offered its competitor Neoness, indicates not to encounter any problem.

“Common sense” measures to reduce consumption

The actors therefore act to reduce their consumption as much as possible, while guaranteeing good conditions for their members. Objective: to take immediate, inexpensive measures to protect the environment and the business portfolio. All this while generating the enthusiasm of customers if possible.

“We had no doubt that the increase would be drastic, says KenGroup President Arthur Benzaquen. Above all, we wanted to reduce consumption and invite our members to find a virtue in it.“. His group, top-of-the-range, had already equipped itself with recent cardio machines, capable of generating their own energy when the athlete pedals. “Our entire cardio park is autonomous“, welcomes the leader. In addition, its rooms limit the number of towels provided to members, washing machines are only started when full, the temperature of swimming pools has been lowered by one degree and initiatives can also emerge from customers, such as the installation of hourglasses in the showers, reminding everyone to stay there for only two minutes in order to save water. Above all, measurescitizens», the economic effect being «marginal“.

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At Blue Orange,the subject of temperature was put on the table, in order to put it at 17-18 degrees instead of 19-20. This is one of the little things planned today”, alongside the investment in new LED lighting. On the light, Fitness Park suggests installing motion detectors and recommends cleaning the air filters to prevent air conditioners from consuming more. “We invite members to turn off the devices after use.adds Gaëtan Dubuisson. Room temperature, showers, towels, lighting, machines…”These are common sense measures.», Comments Virgile Caillet, who is working on the subject and asks the government to support professionals, so that these developments are well received by subscribers. For its part, Basic Fit also intends to reduceA half [sa] energy consumption next year“.

If they may seem derisory, these measures, combined, should make it possible to limit damage for professionals with reduced room for maneuver: banks are reluctant to lend to these companies deemed risky, they must start repaying their PGE, rents have increased and they must upgrade, in parallel, their employees, themselves hit by inflation. “There have been three increases in the minimum wage in recent months, this has an impact on wages, on the conventional minima for the branch […] and on service providers, particularly in security and room cleaning“, confirms Gaëtan Dubuisson.

Towards price increases?

For the time being, companies are therefore making efforts, and prefer to cut back on their margins by collecting the additional costs. Difficult to increase prices in the middle of September, one of the most important for theaters in terms of new subscriptions. But some do not rule out having to increase their prices, if the trend takes hold over time. Not all are housed in the same boat. Premiums, Arthur Benzaquen’s clubs will not change their prices. “We prefer to cut back on our margin“, explains the representative. “We have frozen our tariffs despite the energy price increase in 2022“, we also assure Basic Fit.

“We are coming out of a rather terrible period, where we lost 50% of the subscriber portfolio. Here, we are in a phase of reconquest: certainly, the increase in energy prices could legitimately lead to an increase in subscriber prices, but I do not know if it is the right time.sums up Virgile Caillet. And to qualify immediately: “if the situation were to last longer, there will probably be a price adjustment“. “Rather, our goal is to seek out new members. […]. But if today, the cheapest of the cheapest increases its prices, it can shake up the market a little», concedes Thierry Marquer. “We do not refrain from raising prices if inflation persists […]. We won’t be able to shoulder the effort for years“Adds his competitor from Fitness Park. Everything will also depend on a capital return to inflate the client portfolio.