Small fitness studios could face 'dire' future. This new association wants to help.

Date: November 20, 2020

By Sonya Sorich  –  Digital Editor, Sacramento Business Journal

A new association aims to advocate for California's small fitness studios during the pandemic and beyond.

One of its top current priorities is to amend the state's Covid-19 restrictions, allowing small fitness studios to operate at 10% capacity indoors in the state's most restrictive "purple" tier.

The California Small Fitness Facilities Association was founded by Erica Castillo and Maria Bardet, who say they represent more than 100 small fitness studios throughout the state. The association is currently seeking 501c nonprofit organization status, and is recruiting donors and board members.

Castillo, who divides her time between Sacramento and San Diego, owns Erica Castillo Consulting. She has a background in government affairs, marketing and public relations. Bardet is the founder of Humani Pilates, a small fitness studio in Midtown Sacramento. She's also worked in the state Capitol, including time as a legislative aide for former Assembly member Bob Blumenfield (D-Sherman Oaks).

"The pandemic just exacerbated the need for it. ... In my mind, I always wanted something like this," Castillo said of the new association.

The pandemic has disrupted the fitness industry, as studios of all sizes have moved operations outside or temporarily shut down entirely in recent months. After temporarily resuming indoor operations, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo and Sacramento counties are back in the "purple" tier of the state's Covid-19 restrictions, which prohibits fitness facilities from operating indoors.

If the restrictions don't change, the future of many small fitness studios could be in jeopardy, said Bardet and Castillo. Some small studios, along with bigger fitness facilities, have already permanently shut their doors.

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