Ready to gym again?

Gurnaaz Kaur

We have finally reached the third phase of unlocking and now gyms will be allowed to re-open. The fitness centres will operate, albeit with strict restrictions. While official instructions are being awaited, gym-owners have already made preparations to ensure the safety of their patrons.

Says Gurmeet Singh Arora, MD, Bodyzone Fitness and Spa, “The ratio of members vis-à-vis the space available is an important consideration. The distancing bit applies here too, so we have planned it out. We have made Google forms to know the time preference of members, so that everyone gets a time-slot based on the availability. No one will be allowed to walk in at any time.” Cleaning machines after each use, staff members with gloves, masks and face shields are among other things he has planned.

Being cautious

Bhavneet Singh, MD, Platinum Gym, Sector 8, Panchkula, shares a concern, “If it is in the SOPs that members would have to wear masks then I am afraid we will not open the gyms. It is very risky to work-out wearing masks and I can’t risk the lives of our members just to have my business running.” Platinum gyms and collaboration with OZI gyms means Bhavneet has five gyms under his authority. He promises that even though his gyms have the space for 200 people, there won’t be more than 75 at any given hour. Sanitization, cleanliness and social-distancing are top priorities. “We have installed machines with UV rays to sanitise the places. Then there are fog machines that can sanitise roughly 300-500 sq ft in 15 seconds,” he adds.

Adds Amandeep Bhaika, owner of Bodyscapes gym, “We were sanitising the place every two weeks during the lockdown, now it is twice a week. Once the gym opens, our focus will be to have enough number of coaches and staff to manage the operations. We have launched an app so that people book their slots and there is no scope for favouritism. We will be sending regular updates on dos and don’ts, all the guidelines and measures we are taking at our end. I am glad work will start.”

Gym-goers happy

If gyms are all set to welcome their clients, gym-goers can’t wait to set their hands on the machines. An orthopedician by profession and gym-enthusiast by passion, Dr Manpal Narula says, “It’s a good idea to open the gyms, as livelihoods of so many depend on it and also exercise helps boost our immunity.” Adds, Harinder Singh Sekhon, inspector, crime branch, Chandigarh, who is also Mr Olympia, “As gym-goers, we need to ensure our own safety. While choosing the gym, its size, location and equipment should be kept in mind. If there are only four treadmills but 20 users, the risk is high. Similarly, ventilation in a gym in basement versus a gym on the top floor will also play an important role.”

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