Matt Roberts, founder of Evolution personal training in Grosvenor Square, London, has said PT studios are likely to reopen in advance of larger gyms and those whose model is based on group fitness.

“I don’t see membership gyms opening again for some months to come, given the current strategy of social distancing. That appears to be the direction,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“It’s also hard to see how spin and circuit training studios and the like can open and operate in the same way for a while."

Roberts, who was one of the first signature PTs in the world, said smaller operations that can be controlled more rigorously will open before larger sites.

"I imagine that one-on-one personal training, physiotherapy, Pilates, and the like could be available sooner," he explained, "as there's direct control over movement and contact from person to person."

In terms of timing, Roberts said he was optimistic his studio could reopen in around six weeks, saying "I’d hope for around June.”

Roberts has been offering virtual one-on-one sessions to clients during the shutdown, but said they aren’t as motivating or personal as the real thing, but that “they work for now”.

Evolution offers a full range of PT services, as well as yoga, Pilates and physiotherapy. The studio also offers the 'nutrition-centric' Evolution Bar which is open to customers and non-customers.

Roberts also runs exclusive retreats in partnership with Lime Wood and The Langley hotels in the UK and the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. He has also collaborated with operators such as The Wellesley, London and Ananda in the Himalayas

Roberts was ahead of the game in launching an on-demand fitness service called Body.Network in 2015.

He collaborated on the venture with rugby player and fellow fitness entrepreneur, James Haskell and TV presenter Charlie Webster.

Although the service would have come into its own during the shutdown, it seems activity on the Body.Network ended during 2016.

Other ventures include a series of tie-ups with Daily Dose London, which is currently doing nationwide deliveries of fresh and healthy foods.

Link to the The Daily Telegraph article here.