Gyms are starting to think about their operating procedures for reopening
As many places begin to reopen in California, gyms are beginning to look ahead to what reopening for them might look like. Phase two of the four-stage framework for Governor Gavin Newsom’s reopening California took place Friday. On Friday, he also said, “Phase 3 is not a year away. It's not 6 months away. It's not even three months away. It may not even be more than a month away.” Phase three of the reopening framework includes places like hair and nail salons, barbershops, movie theaters, and gyms.
Jay Nixon owns Thrive Fitness Studio in Palm Desert. He said, "Once we start to be able to open back up, you know I want them to feel like they're coming back home." He will be taking extra measures to make clients feel safe upon returning. Nixon said, "We pride ourselves in keeping a very clean facility. But we have invested in medical grade cleaning supplies like wipes and sprays." He also invested in an infrared thermometer to make sure that nobody has a fever.
He said he will be following the guidelines when they come out. Nixon stated, ”With the whole distancing thing. If they say we have to be 6 ft. apart, how many people can we get? We have the ability to use the outside area for some of our classes, so that opens that up a little bit. But I do think that one-on-ones will be probably the first line of business to come back because people will feel more comfortable with that one-on-one setting. And you don't have to worry about multiple people in the same space."
While his gym has been closed he created online classes for his clients. This is something he had never done before. He said he will now continue to keep these online classes going after reopening. Nixon said, "There's going to be people that don't want to come back to a facility for 6 months to even a year. And it's my responsibility as someone who wants to help the world be healthier, it's my responsibility to give them tools and resources, even if it's not walking through my door."
Bigger gyms in the area are also focusing on client safety. The CEO of EoS Fitness, Rich Drengberg, provided this statement to News Channel 3,
“We are continuing to work with public health officials and local and state governments to establish a set of protocols that will create a healthy and safe environment for all our members and employees. At each of our EoS Fitness locations, our priority is to reopen safely with enhanced sanitation measures and social distancing guidelines in place so gym-goers can focus on working out and maintaining their health and fitness. We look forward to seeing everyone back in the gym in the coming weeks and months.”
As of today, May 11, Governor Newsom has not yet determined a date for stage three of reopening.
News Channel 3's Taban Sharifi will have the full story tonight at 6 p.m.
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