COLUMBUS – The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping America’s fitness industry and that is good news for the economy in one small northwest Ohio town.
High-end exercise equipment maker Peleton broke ground yesterday on its first U.S. factory, a $401 million facility called Peloton Output Park that will employ more than 2,400 people in Luckey, southeast of Toledo.
Lockdowns and business closings during the pandemic ushered in a new era of home workouts and virtual classes, which may mean that gyms go the way of arcades and movie rental stores as the digital fitness wave continues to shake up the industry.
“I do see that people are going to increasingly stop going to the gym in favor of a much better experience with Peleton,” CEO John Foley said.
Soaring sales for the company come as thousands of small fitness centers have gone out of business.
An industry trade group says 22% of the nation’s health clubs have closed since March of 2020.
Many are struggling to stay afloat and have redesigned their spaces, turned toward personal workouts and added online training.