Gyms: Gyms can now run at full capacity; here’s what members should know.
Gov. Doug Ducey has lifted capacity restrictions on Arizona businesses including gyms, restaurants, theaters, water parks, bowling alleys and bars with dine-in services.
Ducey’s latest executive order — issued Friday, March 5 — rescinded occupancy limits set by the Arizona Department of Health Services that depended on the level of community spread of COVID-19.
While the businesses can now return to full capacity, social distancing and face covering requirements remain in place.
According to ADHS guidelines issued Aug. 10, gyms were allowed to operate at 25% capacity. In a document titled “Requirements for Indoor Gyms and Fitness Clubs/Centers,” fitness centers were not allowed to open when spread in their community was “substantial” unless they submitted an attestation form. They could operate at 25% capacity when spread was “moderate” and 50% when “minimal.”
According to ADHS, Maricopa County is still experiencing “substantial” spread of COVID-19.
Tom Hatten, CEO of Mountainside Fitness with locations Valley-wide, welcomed the news.
“We have the room to social distance and be at full capacity,” Hatten told The Arizona Republic.
In June, the company sued the state after Ducey ordered businesses, including gyms, to close through July. Mountainside and other fitness centers defied the executive order and remained open.
Mountainside Fitness: ‘It is a big win for us’
Ducey’s latest executive order means group fitness classes at Mountainside will have more spots available, he said.
“You just make sure you have enough room to be at 100% capacity but (still) social distanced. We are lucky the clubs are big enough to do both,” Hatten said. “So it is a big win for us because we can do that.”
Mountainside Fitness members will receive communication about how gyms will operate over the weekend, Hatten said.
“We anticipate having these increased capacities available beginning Monday, March 8,” a post on the company’s Facebook page reads.
There was no warning the executive order was coming, Hatten said.
“I think that’s been consistent with everything, that there’s been no warning or anything like that,” he said.
Life Time responds to Ducey’s order
Life Time, which has locations throughout metro Phoenix, also told The Republic that its clubs will increase the number of members allowed in.
“Our clubs will begin taking steps to adjust the inclub experience with the lift on capacity restrictions throughout our Arizona clubs, consistent with Governor Ducey’s recent order. Per state guidance, face coverings and social distancing will remain at this time,” the company said in a statement.
Each location will continue implementing other COVID-19 mitigation measures such as its “enhanced cleaning protocol playbook“and increased air circulation and ventilation.
What other Phoenix gyms are saying
Carol Nalevanko, president of Village Health Clubs and Spas throughout the Valley, does not see Ducey’s order immediately affecting how those clubs operate.
“While we appreciate Governor’s Ducey’s efforts to assist the fitness industry in our financial recovery from the pandemic, the rescinding of the capacity limits does not have any real effect on our business due to the large size of our facilities,” Nalevanko said in a statement to The Republic. “This will help studios and smaller gyms here in Arizona.
Village Health Clubs will continue to require employees and members to wear face coverings, Nalevanko said.
“We look forward to the opportunity, in the not too distant future, when we can have a discussion with the governor’s office and AZDHS about lessening the remaining restrictions on the Arizona fitness facilities when appropriate,” she added.
“(The) most important one would be to allow us to go back to just requiring members to wear a face covering while in the club but not during the actual exercising. Social distancing requirements would be our second request to rescind but only when it is safe to do so.”
Ashley Zettler, owner of Sweatshop on Central in Phoenix, which offers yoga, barre and spin classes, does not see the executive order impacting her operations. “With 6 (feet of) social distancing in place in our rooms, we are already maxed out to allow for that with or without a percent capacity restriction,” Zettler said in an email.
CDC: Wear masks, exercise outside
Arizona reported 2,276 new COVID-19 cases and 84 new deaths on March 5. The number of ICU beds in use by Arizona COVID-19 patients has declined since a high of 66% was recorded on Jan. 11. As of March 4, use was at 18%.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “COVID-19 has been shown to spread at gyms, fitness classes and studios.” The agency recommends limiting indoor high-intensity activities, such as group classes.
“The increased respiratory exertion that occurs in the enclosed spaces of indoor exercise facilities facilitates transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in these settings,” a CDC report published on Feb. 24 reads.
The CDC published studies in February that explored the spread of the coronavirus at indoor facilities where outbreaks were reported. In one report, among 81 attendees of indoor high-intensity classes at a Chicago fitness center in August over the course of a week, 55 tested positive for COVID-19.
Masks were not required while exercising but capacity was limited to below 25%.
CDC recommendations for those who exercise at gyms include wearing masks — especially during high-intensity activities, even if social distance is maintained — social distancing, avoiding bathrooms and locker rooms and doing lower-intensity activities.
Outdoor or virtual classes could reduce risk of transmission.
“If the intensity of the exercise makes it difficult to wear a mask, it is especially important to do those activities outdoors away from others,” according to the CDC. “If choosing to stay indoors, keep your workouts as brief as possible to avoid prolonged exposure.”