Fitness sites’ reopening joy
GYMS in Burton have welcomed the announcement from the Prime Minister allowing them to open again.
From Saturday, July 25, indoor gyms and swimming pools, fitness and dance studios, sports venues and facilities can reopen.
Those who have piled on the pounds in lockdown will then be able to try and get back in shape.
It has been a tough few months for independent gyms in the town and the Burton Mail spoke to some of them about the prospect of reopening. This is what they had to say:
FUNDAMENTAL FITNESS LTD, WETMORE ROAD
Owner Khalid Khawaja has owned the gym for seven years and one thing it has practised from the first day was social distancing.
The 33-year-old, who lives in Burton said: “We wanted to offer something different to customers and one of our main aims was to offer them plenty of space so they could train without any distractions. The last three months have been very challenging, especially for independent gyms like ours, and hopefully we can now look to move forward and gear towards some form of normality.
“I do feel the guidelines from the Government could have been clearer and it does feel a little rushed, but behind the scenes we’re working hard to make sure when we open their are no issues.
“We’ll limit the amount of people in the gym and encourage users to wipe down all the equipment they use and maintain a good level of hygiene.
“We’ve had a lot of positive messages from our customers, telling us they can’t wait for us to open and, now more than ever, we’ll need their support to get us back up and running.”
GYM UNITY, OXFORD STREET
Keeley Rowland, manager, said: “We’re over the moon; now we have a date we’re able to work towards something. Being closed has been tough; it’s had major financial implications for us, but we’re now looking forward and can’t wait to open our doors to our members again.
“We have started a deep clean of the gym and implementing social distancing measures.
“We’re looking into ways to provide a clean, safe and healthy experience to our members.
“Even when we open it’ll be tough;
I can imagine probably half our members may decide to cancel their memberships for financial reasons and some may decided it’s still not safe to come back.
“We have a strong community at the gym and the following we get from members is tremendous.
“People have been getting in touch and saying they miss the social aspect of the gym.”
GRINDHOUSE STRONGMAN AND S&C FACILITY, WOOD ST
the equipment after each session.
“Then our staff will do a thorough wipe down to ensure the equipment is safe to use for the next session.
“I’ve attended an online seminar set up by UK Active to help us understand the social distancing guidelines and will implement those guidelines in preparation for when we open.
Grindhouse Strongman and S&C
Facility is a strength and conditioning gym, which provides tailored classes in small groups of four.
Jenny
Doherty,
33, a qualified Rahim Haji, owner of the gym, said: personal “It was a relief when I heard the announcement and I was really trainer happy we were able to get back to who has work. been “The time away from the gym working in wasn’t easy; it was very tough from a gyms for 17 financial point and I’m definitely years, said: looking forward to opening again. “Some of our “We’ve had some members cancel, members which we did expect, and I’m have voluntarily sure once their financial situations carried improve, they’ll be back. Currently on paying their membership, which we’re setting up for opening again. has been very helpful, and it’s something “We’ve made sure we follow Government you don’t see in bigger gyms. guidelines and have put up
“We’ve had a good response from warning markers and posters to our members and it’ll be good to remind members of social distancing. open our doors to them. When we open it will feel unusual
“Members will use their own kit for a bit, but then I’m sure things for the group sessions and we’ll supply will start heading in the right direction them with wipes to wipe down and going back to normal.”
FITNESS FOR LADIES GYMS, WETMORE ROAD