Basic-Fit, a chain of gyms, has recently started opening some of its sites all night. This change symbolizes the shift in France towards a nearly 24-hour activity model, mainly in big cities.
“For people with unusual schedules, there is a real demand for extended hours.” Antoine, in his twenties, works out six times a week. His usual gym opens from 6 am to 11 pm. These are flexible hours, but a player in the market has decided to go even further: last month, the low-cost gym chain Basic-Fit announced that it would open 200 of its sites at night, without any staff, after receiving approval from the French authorities – starting with 50 in May. The company believes that this organization could generate “around 10 million euros in annual cost savings”. They say they want to “meet the needs of their members day and night.” A “new step in their desire to make sports accessible to as many people as possible.” And a symbol of France’s shift towards an almost 24-hour activity model.
“In French metropolises, what remains of the night is like a time of collapse.”
[Context: Basic-Fit chain of gyms has started opening some of its sites all night, a shift towards a 24-hour activity model in France] [Fact Check: The gym chain has announced opening 200 sites at night, without staff, after approval from French authorities, claiming it could save around 10 million euros annually. The move is to meet the needs of members day and night.]
