Sudden date change has left gym owners scrambling to reopen with strict new guidelines in place
Hundreds of gyms have opened their doors this week but a few are still preparing for the mad rush and plan to open in a few soon. The transition isnβt as smooth as you might think. See what is open and what you need to know before checking in.
North Lakes Times
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GYM owners have been scrambling to reopening in line with new operating restrictions, as a sudden date change caught many off guard.
Thousands of gym goers across the state have been sweating over when their local gym might open and owners have been frantically making sure facilities are as clean as possible.
What your first gym sesh will look like next month
Gym chain back on the treadmill
Workout 24/7 Gym in North Lakes will reopen on Saturday and owner Greg Doyle said it had been a terrible time during the shutdown, not helped by the sudden closure and now reopening with little notice.
“Sunday morning I learned that we could open to members the following day,” he said.
“We really don't know what the uptake is going to be like. We’ve had new inquiries and some cancellations so it’s going to be a lottery.”
Mr Doyle said he had no idea how well members would adapt to the new restrictions, but it would certainly be a far cry from how gyms operated decades ago.
“It was horrific, you’d go up to do a bench press and all the sweat would be there from the guy before you and you’d just wipe it off with your hand and lay on it. And the next person had yours.
“I used to train with a guy who used to sweat like anything, he’d be spotting you and all his sweat would be dripping down onto your face. People today would be horrified!”
Gym owners were initially expecting to reopen on or after June 12, but a change of heart by the state government to June 1 left little time to set up, and many are still yet to open their doors.
Some members will have to wait another week or more to get their gym fix as many are run by franchisees who can determine for themselves when to reopen.
Gyms can open with up to 20 people, more if they have a COVID-SAFE Plan approved by health authorities.
From July 10, this is expected to increase to up to 100 people at a time, depending on the size of the facility.
Most gym memberships have been frozen since late March, and members will start being charged again from the date they reopen.
However, with the 20-person at a time restrictions — including staff — many people could miss out on their favoured workout time.
There may also be strict instructions for members to get used to, like cleaning their stations before and after use, getting a temperature test before being allowed to enter, and not being allowed to use change rooms.
Tracey Earl owns Unbound Athletic at North Lakes, which specialises in crossfit, and she agreed the sudden reopening had caught them off-guard, but was glad to be back.
“It’s been tough, we lost 60 per cent of our clients who just cancelled. We don’t do lock-in contracts so we hope they will come back.”
“A lot of gyms didn’t open on June 1 because they weren’t ready. Some had even leant out their equipment and still don’t have it back yet.”
“There was no notice, on Sunday we all came in were here to late trying to get everything ready to reopen.”
At Loganholme Snap Fitness gym junkies were already straight back into it this week and on Wednesday this video was posted on the group’s facebook page showing members doing weight sessions through social distancing.
WHAT IS HAPPENIN AT YOUR GYM
JETTS 24 HOUR FITNESS
● All gyms reopened on June 3
● Open during staffed hours only - check your local gym for opening times
● Members can still access Jetts At Home
● Members not ready to return yet can place their membership on hold at no cost.
● Enforcing the use of access passes, personal towels and water bottles by all members
● Shared equipment will be disinfected between use
● Increased cleaning and sanitation by the team, as well as providing hand sanitiser and sanitising wipes
● Some shared facilities, such as showers and drinking water fountains will be temporarily closed
ANYTIME FITNESS
● All gyms open from June 5 during staffed hours only
● Check your local gym for operating times
● Increased cleaning schedules
● More wipes and sanitisers provided
● Showers not in use
● Members must wipe all equipment after use
THE WORLD GYM
● We working off a booking system here
● Have cordoned off different sections for 20 people per area
● Open 5am-11pm Mon to Sunday, and 24-hr access is available with roaming staff - Check with your local gym to confirm the hours
● Members are being charged at 50 per cent rate at the moment due to COVID, and members can suspend memberships if they choose. A $200 cancellation fee may be imposed for newer members.
SNAP FITNESS 24 HR GYM
● All gyms operating
● Check your local gym for operating times
● You need to book a 50 minute gym session
● Limited hours of operation, check club for details
FITNESS FIRST
● All Gyms operating
● Check your local gym for operating times
● Thoroughly wipe down all equipment before and after use, using the antibacterial wipes provided
● Lockers are not in use for the time being, so arrive with only the essentials including a towel and a water bottle
Bring your own mat when attending Group Exercise classes
FERNWOOD
● Women’s only gym
● You need to register for a session
● There will be limited hours of operation
● Browns Plains opening June 15
● Carindale, Petrie and Robina - opening June 8
● North Lakes, Everton Park, Toowoomba and Loganholme - opening June 15
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