Gyms getting ready to reopen this Friday

While the province is getting ready to move into Step 3 of its reopening framework this Friday, one industry now able to open is gyms.

A couple of gym facilities share while it is excellent to reopen, it does come with some cautious optimism.

“More than anything else in this pandemic, outside of the tragedies in this world people have experience, here in Ontario what we experienced is a pandemic of government communication as much as anything else. After all the steps we have been taking during the pandemic. There isn't much to prepare to open. Craig Bongelli, owner of Lil's Gym in Kitchener, said.

Lil's Gym is a privately owned gym facility, and it will be open to its members starting Friday. Bongelli adds they will be tracking members coming in and out of the facility to ensure they operate under the 50 per cent capacity.

Another local fitness centre, Gym 41, is also getting ready to open its doors this Friday. Kristian Manning, the facility owner, says they have additional protocols in place to ensure all safety protocols are met.

“What we have done is we added some safety measure between our lifting platforms. We added some barriers to make some space more available to our members. We have gone ahead and installed some more COVID safety measures, which means now everyone can use all the platforms.”

Gym 41 is in the process of moving its website to Shopify. We have decided that platform will be a way easier platform for members to purchase memberships and merchandise, as well as the different Bootcamp classes and programs we offer.”

They do have group fitness and Bootcamp classes for clients to enroll in as well. “We have a weightlifting team run by Dave Earl, an Ontario national competitor, and has been coaching for several years. We also have a boot camp that runs on about 8000 square feet of turf with all the training tools needed during lunchtime.”

Those who aren't enrolled in any fitness or membership program at Gym 41 will need to book an appointment. Those will happen either through email or telephone and on their social media platforms. Once they get their Shopify website up and running this Friday, clients can log on to there and pick their work out.

Bongelli adds he understands the hesitancy some may have about attending gym facilities. Therefore, Lil's Gym will continue to offer virtual programs for its members.

For more information on Lil's Gym, click here
For more information on Gym 41, click here