Gyms reopened on May 1 after a six-month closure when the government eased restrictions as the number of people vaccinated reached four million.

Only professional athletes were allowed to use the facilities during the lockdown.

Since the reopening, only 30-60% of guests have returned compared to pre-pandemic levels

- with the lowest figures reported in smaller towns and cities and the highest in the best-equipped gyms.

Nyárasdi attributed the lower traffic to safety concerns, the requirement for clients to have vaccination cards and to a lack of disposable income.

Most guests only buy daily passes, while demand for monthly or yearly passes plummeted, due to concerns of a flare-up of the pandemic.

It was also noted that the fitness market was thriving in 2017-19 and many gyms bought equipment on credit. With the slow return of guests, repayment of these loans is at risk.