Lehi Gym Makes Comeback With Help From Members, PPP Loan

LEHI, Utah — More than five weeks after shutting down its operations and laying off nearly all employees, Legends Boxing in Lehi is making a comeback, thanks to loyal members and the Paycheck Protection Program.

“I mean, we lost a substantial mount of revenue in April,” said Rob Scott, owner of Legends Boxing. “It was significant from what we’re used to bringing in.”

Like so many other businesses across the state, the coronavirus — and its accompanying restrictions — hit the boxing gym hard and unexpectedly.

The business was finally able to reopen over the weekend.

The class size lost some of its swing compared to earlier in the year, but Scott said he remains committed to make an even stronger rebound.

The harder the hit, the stronger the rebound. Thanks to savings, loyal members and the #PPP loan, Legends #Boxing in Lehi is making a comeback. We have their story @KSL5TV at 10 pic.twitter.com/4aIZCEe8BM

— Matt Rascon (@MattRasconNews) May 5, 2020

“We thought there might be a slow, gradual increase, but it’s actually been steady,” he said. “We’re getting new members calling, wanting to try it out.”

Scott said there were many contributing factors leading to the franchise’s current position.

“Business-wise, we’ve made some good moves to stay out of debt and keep our costs low,” he said.

Many members have remained loyal throughout the pandemic.

“A lot of our members were just like, ‘just charge my account. We want to see you guys open back up’,” Scott said. “And it really touched me, quite frankly.”

And in the midst of it all, the gym was approved for a forgivable loan from the Paycheck Protection Program.

“It allowed us to keep our employees going, and bring back the ones that we had to furlough,” he said.

Governor Gary Herbert urged all of Utah’s small businesses to apply for the loan in April.

More than 21,000 employers in the state received loans totaling $3.7 billion before the money ran out.

New numbers released from the Small Business Administration showed another 21,751 businesses in Utah were approved for loans totaling $1.67 billion.

Overall, the average loan size across the country was $79,000.

“I don’t think this is over by any means. I think there’s new habits and behaviors that have to be adjusted that I think will be the new normal,” Scott said.

The reopening has already brought several changes like extra cleaning, limited class sizes, and keeping members 10 feet apart during workouts.

“Nothing too crazy,” he said. “I think it’s a responsible thing to do.”

And for the first time since the hit, Legends is making a comeback.

“It gives me a lot of hope that there will be a quick rebound,” he said.