Timing upsets gym owners

Owners of gyms shut down by the coronavirus will need to wait until Phase 3 of Massachusetts’ reopening plan to restart their business — a decision that landed like a 50-pound weight.

“I was in tears today. I can’t fathom how the governor thinks this is acceptable,” said Diane McNamara, spokeswoman and member of Get In Shape For Women, which has more than 30 locations in Massachusetts.

McNamara said they were hoping to be included in Phase 1 of Gov. Charlie Baker’s reopening plan which was outlined Monday morning, especially because Get In Shape For Women is a “micro gym” that only trains about eight clients at a time.

McNamara said gym owners “blasted” local legislators with calls and emails on Monday asking to reopen the gym as soon as possible.

“We have been preparing to be part of Phase 1 and already putting protocols into place that would fit any guidelines out there,” said McNamara.

Each phase of the reopening plan will last a minimum of three weeks, meaning Phase 3 won’t arrive until the last days of June at the earliest.

Mark Harrington, who shares ownership of Healthworks for Women, GymIt and Republic Fitness with his family said he was expecting gyms to fall into the Phase 2 category and was disappointed to see it got pushed back.

“I was really kind of banking on being in Phase 2, we had had some meetings with the governor’s office and felt pretty positive we would have the plans and procedures in place,” said Harrington.

Larger chains, like Planet Fitness are also eager to reopen.

The company said in a statement, “We look forward to safely and responsibly welcoming our Massachusetts members back to Planet Fitness, in accordance with Governor Baker’s phased reopening plan. At Planet Fitness, the safety of our team and members is our top priority, as we execute a thoughtful and phased reopening approach.”

But not all local gym owners were upset at Baker’s decision.

Sadie Kuzban, founder of 305 Fitness in Kenmore Square, said she was relieved to hear gyms weren’t included in Phase 1 of reopening.

“It’s really important that we do whatever is in the public interest and I think it’s really smart that gyms are not in the first phase of opening,” said Kuzban.

Kuzban said, “It’s actual life and death, it’s not worth it to come to a group fitness class and jump the gun.”

Herald staFF FIle MORE PARKOUR: Daisy Chen is seen working out as her mother counts repetitions along the Charles River on March 20. Chen’s gym, Equinox, has been closed during the coronavirus epidemic. It’s expected that gyms in Massachusetts won’t be able to reopen until about the end of June.