3-18-2020
To Our Loyal Members,
We here at VIM FITNESS want everyone to know we always have our members’ best interest in mind when making any major decisions. We have struggled with this decision over the past few days. Since our most recent communication to you, the Federal Government has updated the recommendations for businesses to have no more than ten people in a large space to help flatten the curve of infections.
We value every member and want to take the necessary precautions to not only prevent the spread of COVID-19 but to also ensure our fitness community’s well-being. In keeping with that, we have made the difficult decision to close the facilities at University Park and Central Square for 2 weeks starting at the close of business today, Wednesday March 18th, 2020.
At this moment we will be closed until March 31, 2020. If any changes or updates are made we will post them to our website, Facebook, and Instagram. Please keep everyone in your thoughts during this short but tough time to include small businesses.
In the meantime we will remain active on social media posting workouts, videos, fun fitness tips, and motivation to keep you moving from home. Please look out for our NEWLY launched “Work out of the Day” segment on Instagram and Facebook to give you motivation and direction for workouts. If you would like to set up 1 to 1 personal training sessions or continue your 1-1 personal training sessions please reach out to [email protected] for details.
We thank you for your ongoing commitment to the VIM FITNESS community. We encourage all members to stay active and healthy in this sensitive time. We hope to see you in the gym very soon!
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate through this difficult time.
WARMLY,
VIM FITNESS
You should inform the members if you will be freezing the memberships during the time you are closed, and in case you need to remain closed after 3/31. Personally, as a long time member that likes your facility very much I would be willing to pay full membership for two weeks and a small fee to keep the business afloat and maintain my membership, but I will not be able to pay full membership on a long run as many of us will be experiencing hardship in months to come. Thank you.
Please provide an update verifying that you are providing paid leave to your staff given that all members (myself included) are still paying full membership benefits despite temporary closure of the gyms.
I am curious why I did not receive an email directly but, rather, had to find out about the closure by walking up to the Central Square location today (especially since I was at the University Place facility on Wednesday afternoon and could have been informed then as well). A bit frustrating for a new member.
Will VIM Fitness be refunding members for the 2 week closure or freezing memberships during that time?
I too am surprised and disappointed that no attempt was made to inform the members of the closing. Under the circumstances, it is natural that members might be concerned about the continuation of their membership dues payments. We deserve better.
I would like to add to the two posts about paying your staff and what VIM’s plan is in the event, which is likely, that the gym has to stay closed past March 31, 2020.
First, please confirm to the membership that you are complying with the emergency legislation just passed in Congress that expands the Family and Medical Leave Act to apply to anyone who is not working due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s important to me to know that the gym I patronize is not leavings its employees without income during this time.
Second, please let members know what you are planning to do about membership fees if the club has to stay closed past March 31. I would be happy to pay to make sure that employees can remain paid. At the same time, we are all in this together, and it seems only fair that everyone tighten their belts at the same time.
Dear VIM,
I’m surprised that I haven’t been notified by e-mail of gym closures along with clear communication that employees will continued to be paid as well as your plans for freezing membership fees given the gym unfortunately won’t be re-opening anytime in the near future.
Please provide update.
Thank you
How do we cancel our memberships or at least halt payment?
As a VIM member for over a year, I have been always grateful to have such gym nearby Central square. However, knowing that most people will be curious about what will happen to membership fees, you should have at least said something about freezing membership costs or a possible refund. I know it’s a touch situation for all but just because you don’t mention these things, doesn’t mean that you can get away with it. You see all these people posting questions about how to handle gym membership when gym is not available – and there hasn’t been any updates regarding this for days. I’m a bit disappointed with VIM’s response to this crisis – and I’m concerned that your reputation might not be as good as before after this storm passes.
Please email me if I said anything wrong.
David
I have been a member at VIM for years and I would also like to voice my concern over not receiving any emails regarding your closing or any information regarding our membership fees. As a matter of fact, I was charged my full membership as well as my maintenance fee the day before you closed. Additionally, the governor has ordered all non-essential businesses to close until April 7th starting tomorrow.
And to echo a few above, many of us are having to tighten out belts. If you don’t announce a plan on how to manage our membership fees during this crisis many will simply have to cancel their memberships due to the uncertainty.
I would like to just simply echo the comments above – I am a bit disappointed that members were not notified about the closing, given that we were notified just days prior of other precautions the club was taking. The MBTA, for example, is offering a credit towards the cost of a T-pass if it goes unused for the month of April. I just think during this time it’s important to be transparent with members so we can all make the appropriate decisions that we need to- I think everyone just needs to know what the options are.
Thank you,
Lance