YAY! SCALES ARE BANNED AT MEGA GYM
FOR many of us, it’s been months since patchy gym attendance gave way to patchier at-home workouts. So I’m relieved to see that, in the supergym I’m in, the scales bear a ‘do not use’ sign.
It’s just one of many changes to the branch of PureGym in Manchester’s Urban Exchange development, after a 20-strong team has been refitting the chain in preparation for reopening its 220 gyms in England on July 27.
PureGym doesn’t have the traditional receptionists. Instead it asks users to punch in a code to open doors designed to let only one person enter at time. Now, you don’t touch a keypad — a new panel scanning each user’s unique QR code (a pattern on your phone screen that acts like an electronic key) is on the gym’s app.
The tech allows the chain to know exactly how many people are using the gym — its 1.1 million members are asked to check the app before they attend a branch to see how busy it is. Capacity has been reduced at each gym — this one, which is 20,000 sq ft, will be capped at 170 users.
‘Most of our gyms average between six to seven tennis courts [in size], so that does give us the advantage of being able to spread our kit out,’ says chief marketing officer Stephen Rowe. Inside is a hand gel station, and signs flagging the TrainSafe plan — the gym’s new safety standards. They’ve worked with an NHS doctor and a sports scientist on the measures, such as setting a two-metre distance between stations. Equipment will be wiped off after use and visitors are expected to bring their own water bottles.
Tannoy announcements every 15 minutes remind you to use the new cleaning stations, with antiviral wipes, sprays and, of course, more hand gel, while staff will also nudge you to do so, too.
PureGyms normally open 24/7, but are reducing their hours (6am to 10pm) so staff are present.
In the cardio space, home to running machines and stationary bicycles, some now face the wall — so users won’t breathe over anyone walking past. You don’t have to wear a mask — and I can’t imagine working up a pace on the running machine in one. However, the air-con system has HEPA filters — short for ‘high efficiency particulate air’, said to be the gold standard of filters, and the air isn’t recirculated around the building.
Workout done, you’re encouraged to head straight home. When the place closes, there will be a deep clean by a team every night to ‘NHS non-clinical standards’.
Despite all that, what’s striking is how normal it feels. I’d be confident turning up. I might even look forward to it . . .
PureGym, Manchester Urban Exchange, £22.99 a month plus £15 joining fee, puregym.com