Increases in gyms: 140 euros above the annual charge for a gymnasium in Thessaloniki

They’ve even reached the price range after the end of summer. An example is the company price list in Thessaloniki. The bitter increases in many gyms are a fact after the end of this summer. Owners argue that these are inevitable valuations, since they too, as they claim, are fighting not to close their operations. The price launch is even observed in district gyms after the end of summer. September is perhaps the most critical period, as most customer packages are closed this month. It is typical that a gym operating in eastern Thessaloniki sells its annual subscription to 470 euros (i.e. 39.16 euros) while last season it provided it with 330 euros (27.50 euros per month). The same gym provides a monthly subscription for 72 euros! The increases in this class have also been made in other gyms and some others in the city centre have increased their prices further as the annual subscription is sold to 600 euros but also providing some extra services. Speaking at thestival.gr the president of the Association of Owners of Gymnasiums of Thessaloniki, Alexander Alexiades explained that the increases came as a result of the increases they have suffered in terms of their employees’ insurance contributions, energy costs and increases in the rents they pay. “The increases are about the quality of the services because many colleagues create value around their product and raise the operating cost which is mainly related to how the service is provided. When the service is provided by manpower you understand that this increases the cost of providing services very much. I personally have 60% cost in terms of human resources, namely workers’ salaries and insurance contributions and which are too high. So when someone has many employees you understand that the cost is increasing even more,” said Alexiadis. This summer was undoubtedly one of the hottest with mercury being kept for many days at high levels. The sustained heat and expensive electricity tariffs launched the electricity bills paid by gym owners during the three summer months while they are anxious to see how energy prices will be shaped for the next period. “The cost of energy is high and in the previous three months it increased by 70%” said Alexiadis adding that the third factor that prompted the owners of gymnasiums to increase their price lists is “the increase in rents invited to pay”. In Thessaloniki today there are about 500 legally licensed gymnasiums and as Mr. Alexiadis said “there are so many others that operate illegally either in houses, in warehouses and even in physiotherapists where sports gymnastics are not allowed but only therapeutic ones. In all these illegal gymnasiums put those paid for doing small groups and personal in parks and squares.” However, as Mr. Alexiadis said, people have realized for good that the gym offers many benefits to their health. Indeed, it is impressive as he said that “the majority of gym customers are from Gen Z but now many customers are also over 40-50 years old as they have realized that they are doing good to their health.”