On May 1, 2020 businesses all across Tennessee will be allowed to reopen after being forced to close down due to the coronavirus pandemic. In 89 counties (including Anderson), gyms will be included and allowed to reopen with specific guidelines to make sure that employees and customers are safe. While PMA is not technically a gym, we align ourselves most closely with this category of businesses, and martial arts instruction was specifically listed in the guidelines for group fitness classes put out on April 28.
At PMA, we are both excited about the prospect of being able to open back up for classes, and also cautious to not jump ahead and put our students and their families at unnecessary risk. Here is our plan for opening back up:
PMA’s COVID-19 Phased Reopening Plan
In closing, the last couple of months have been a rollercoaster of emotions for us as your martial arts academy and as a small business. The longer that we remained closed, the more students that dropped their memberships. Some dropped their memberships because they had lost their jobs and could not afford to continue to pay their tuition, and a few others dropped that did not see the value in the online training we were providing. It is a very discouraging sight to see your student count dropping week after week after spending so many years building it up.
However, for every 1 student we lost, there were 10 others that were unbelievably supportive. We had some extremely dedicated students who watched every video we uploaded, attended every zoom class, and scheduled 1-on-1 sessions with me. We had students who could not access the video content due to their own internet or technology issues, or just don’t enjoy that method of learning, but sent us messages saying we could be closed for a year and they’d keep paying their tuition because of what PMA means to them. And all different levels of commitment and support in between.
We will always remember 2020 because of this pandemic and how much it shook our world and changed our lives. But the memories for us will be highlighted by these messages and signs of support from you - our incredible PMA family. Thank you.
Now, we are excited to see things heading towards the direction of us eventually being able to train as we did before. Until then, let’s continue to be diligent with our health and safety.
We will see you on the mat, either physically or virtually, whichever you prefer!
Sincerely,
David Corrigan
Owner/Chief Instructor
Progressive Martial Arts Academy