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For the first time in months, Kingston residents can go back to the gym.
Ontario entered Phase 3 of the reopening roadmap on Friday, which will allow recreational fitness facilities, personal exercise services, and indoor fitness classes to reopen at 50 percent capacity.
Recreational fitness facilities have been among the toughest industries throughout the pandemic, with many outbreaks being related to fitness facilities.
While fitness facilities are now safe to reopen, some have announced a delayed reopening. The City of Kingston Fitness Centers at the Artillery Park Aquatic Center and Invista Center will reopen on Monday July 26th.
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“We can only open when it makes financial sense, as we cannot risk reopening with fewer returning members than facilities like ours have to function. Summers are traditionally slower months, and projections suggest that our membership response rate would not be enough by fall, ”said Rob Adams, CEO of Eastern Ontario’s YMCA, in a press release.
Adams stated that the long-term viability of the YMCA programs and effective safety protocols are top priorities for the reopening.
“As a non-profit association, it is particularly important to us to be aware of our tax responsibility. Our September 1 reopening date will help ensure the long-term sustainability of our programs serving our communities, ”said Adams. “As always, safety protocols must be our primary concern and our facilities and systems must be re-approved by public health authorities. In addition, recalls, new hires and retraining of employees have to be carried out. “
Other local gyms eagerly welcomed the reopening on Friday.
“I went to a couple of gyms this morning and people were standing in the parking lot shouting like, ‘I’m so happy to be back!’ ‘I can’t wait to get into my training!’ And on the way out, they’re just so excited to have that experience, “said Abby Johnson-Bertran, group experience manager at Goodlife Fitness, in an interview with the Whig Standard.
Adhering to strict safety protocols remains a top priority for Goodlife Fitness, with management claiming to go beyond provincial requirements, including mandatory masking, thorough cleaning and inspection protocols.
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“From the beginning we created what is known as the Goodlife Standard – we follow all government mandates and go beyond what they were at the time,” said Johnson-Bertran.
While many people strive to get back to their fitness routines safely, Johnson-Bertran urges everyone to take it slow.
“When you first return to the gym, most people will get really excited. I know the weight ranges where I’ve been were very popular. But start slowly, the weights you will be using will be lighter than the ones you used before the last lockout. Just be nice to your body, hold onto a shorter workout at the beginning, work your way up again because we know everyone is in for the long-term benefits of exercise, and we are here to support everyone ” , she said .
