Gyms across the world are temporarily closing or taking fitness classes online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Forbes, ClassPass is opening up their platform for anyone that wants to livestream classes while in-person classes are not possible. Any instructors or studios that choose to stream on ClassPass’ app or website will receive all proceeds from the classes.
“I founded ClassPass to connect people with their passions and to help them stay active,” ClassPass founder and executive chairman Payal Kadakia told Forbes. “I also want to support the growth of the then-nascent boutique fitness industry. In our new coronavirus-inflicted world, our industry is struggling as never before. We’re stepping up to help the industry at a time when it needs it most.”
ClassPass, which has more than one million subscribers, is providing the online service through June 1. The company is also trying to help fitness professionals by creating a Partner Relief Fund that allows people to use the ClassPass app to donate to studios. The New York-based company is offering to match all studio contributions up to $1 million.
“Ninety percent of our 30,000 partner studios have indefinitely closed their doors in the past two weeks, and many have already started to lay off their teams,” ClassPass CEO Fritz Lanman said. “It’s imperative that we act now to save these businesses that play such an important role in keeping our communities healthy.”
Related content: IHRSA Implores Congress to Include Fitness Industry in Stimulus
Related content: Streaming Fitness Surges During Outbreak
