Gyms will reportedly stay shut until at least the autumn as officials have labelled them one of the worst places for spreading coronavirus.
Government scientists are believed to have grouped them with bars and restaurants which means they could be among the last venues to reopen once the lockdown is eased.
It will heap further doom and gloom on gym bunnies.
However, as we revealed tonight, Boris Johnson's final stage of lifting lockdown restrictions, which could include the opening of gyms, is the least predictable.
An industry source who is communicating with ministers as part of the 'Back to Work' plans told Sun Online : “Six months is a reasonable timeframe” for gyms to stay closed.
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Whitehall officials, who have been working with industry bodies on plans to reopen businesses, are said to have decided gyms are a "hotbed of infection" as are bars and restaurants.
A source who has been involved in extensive talks with the government said: “Gyms won’t be open any time soon. It won’t be sooner than autumn.”
Another insider said that unlike supermarkets, gyms are unable to introduce a one-way system as users often use the equipment randomly rather than in a specific order.
They added: “They are in close proximity in the wet environment of changing rooms, while exercise means lots of sweat and huffing and puffing in close quarters.”
But some gyms want the government to let them reopen for personal trainers and their clients saying they would be able to practice social distancing and sanitise equipment after every use.
Before the lockdown came into force questions had been raised about the safe use of gyms as the killer virus swept through the UK.
Speaking to Sky News, immunologist Dr Jenna Macciochi said before the lockdown said: "I think people should be extra vigilant in any area where there may be lots of people close together and sharing equipment such as gyms as this may increase transmission of infection."
And on Speaking on the ABC's Coronacast, physician and journalist Dr Norman Swan explained that gyms are the perfect place for Covid-19 to spread because they are typically humid.
He said: "Dampness is a bad thing for spreading germs.
"You've got these big blokes pumping away and you never know, one of them might be a super spreader."
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “The timeline for reopening gyms and leisure centres has not yet been confirmed and ukactive continues to work with the Government on this important issue.
“Our sector is taking every step necessary to ensure it is able to reopen safely and as soon as the Government allows, in order to provide vital services for the health of our nation.
“It is important the Government understands the unique role these facilities play in our society, with public leisure alone contributing £3.3bn towards our population’s health and wellbeing, and gyms and leisure centres employing around 189,000 people.”
