24 Hour Fitness to permanently close 7 clubs in Seattle area

SEATTLE — 24 Hour Fitness, one of the largest chains of health clubs in the U.S., said it plans to close seven locations in Washington state along with clubs in other areas of the country as it tries to regain its footing after the coronavirus pandemic forced the company to temporarily shut down several of its gyms.

According to a post on social media, the company, which is based in San Ramon, Calif., and operates over 430 clubs across 14 states, said the permanent closures could not be avoided.

"We've looked hard at how we can best serve our members, and have refocused our resources where we believe they can do the most good," the company tweeted. "Unfortunately, this has meant closing some locations and saying good bye to some valued team members, whom we will dearly miss."

The chain operates its clubs in several states, including California, Texas, Florida and Oregon.

According to the company's website, the Seattle-area locations slated for closure include:

• Auburn, located at 915 Auburn Way North.
• Everett, located at 11014 19th Ave.
  
• Kent, located at 12922 SE Kent Kangley Road.
• Lakewood, located at 5919 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd., S.
• Puyallup, located at 307 37th Ave.
• Renton, located at 4110 NE 4th Street, Suite B.
• Shoreline, located at 20202 Ballinger Way NE.
  

The company said it would also permanently close a site in Vancouver, at 2913 NE 72nd Drive in Vancouver, WA.

The chain's gyms have been shut down since March as states mandated that several businesses close in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Many states have begun reopening their counties in recent days and officials have said gyms in those areas can reopen provided they could maintain some form of social distancing and other measures to limit exposure to COVID-19.

In Washington state, most gyms, including the 24 Hour Fitness locations in downtown Seattle and at Northgate Mall, remain closed but that could change as more counties advance to later phases in the state's reopening plan.