Kilsyth’s Spartans Gym and Anytime Fitness in Croydon await lifting of coronavirus restrictions

Gym owners say they are receiving a deluge of phone calls and messages from eager members keen to hit the weights. But when restrictions do ease visiting for a workout could be like going to dinner at a fancy restaurant.

Gym junkies are keen to get back into their fitness regimes.

Diehard gym junkies are eagerly awaiting the easing of coronavirus restrictions so they can get back into their fitness routine — which could be only days away.

While many fitness fanatics have been improvising at home either buying up equipment or making their own weights, gym owners have reported receiving a deluge of phone calls and messages from eager members wanting to know when they can return.

Gym owners are waiting to hear if Premier Daniel Andrews eases restrictions on Monday.

Kilsyth gym Spartans manager Lana Brewster said if groups of 10 were allowed, staff would open up a booking system for hour-long sessions.

When it was open the popular fitness centre had 3500 members and at least 100 casuals through the door daily.

But Ms Brewster said the shutdown had a massive effect on the business with no income except from the cafe and sale of protein goods.

“It’s taken a big toll on us,” she said.

She said members had been phoning and messaging through social media trying to gain an idea of when the gym would re-open, and older members had been visiting to check.

Croydon’s Anytime Fitness is also awaiting the government go-ahead with co-owner Tom Olsen and his team planning for when they could re-open their doors.

Mr Olsen said he had been cleaning and looking to install more gym equipment for members upon their return.

“You have to be proactive rather than reactive,” he said.

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He said the team had been keeping in regular contact with members to check on their wellbeing as well as helping with home-based fitness regimes.

“We’re having people get in touch with us as well,” Mr Olsen said.

“It’s quite amazing how many people are missing the gym. It was such a big part of their lives.”

Melbourne Muscle Health & Fitness in Bayswater has set up a drive-through cafe and set up its online clothing shop.

Manager Kate McLeod said many of their members had continued to support the independent gym — even when they didn’t have to.

Ms McLeod said when lockdown was announced, a number of members chose to continue their payments to help keep their gym afloat during the crisis.

“So many members wanted to keep supporting the fitness industry,” she said.

She said while they hoped the restrictions would ease, she wasn’t holding her breath.

“I hope they give us more notice on opening back up than they did when they announced the closures,” Ms McLeod said.