THUNDER BAY – The city’s workout enthusiasts will have some options starting on Tuesday to get back to the gym.
A number of fitness centres in Thunder Bay say they have weighed the benefits of reopening under the province’s Red-Control restrictions, and have decided to open their doors after nearly two months closed under Ontario’s stay-at-home lock-down orders.
Push Fitness, in a post to the gym’s Facebook page said it wasn’t an easy decision to make, but it was the right one.
“It was a tough call, but we just really miss you guys, so we’ve made the choice to open the only way we can.”
Members will be able to book 75-minute workout time slots as far as two days in advance, and up to one hour prior to the scheduled time, pending availability.
“As with the regular classes, you can book for yourself, or for yourself plus one other person. Please keep in mind that, unless you live in the same household, you must still keep distanced from each other when in the gym.”’
The time slot includes change and shower time and users are asked to respect the quick turnaround and note that doors will be locked 10 minutes into each time slot and anyone showing up late might not be allowed in. Drop-ins are not permitted.
Classes will resume on Sunday.
Fit4Less will also resume operations on Tuesday, with time slot bookings beginning on Monday at noon. The Canada Games Complex is also scheduled to reopen, as is Synergee Fitness, which will open for classes and training.
“We are so excited to see all our members and clients back at the gym,” reads a post on the Synergee Fitness website. “Start warming up!”
The news isn’t as great for those with a membership at Movati Athletic.
In a post to its web site, Movati officials said it’s just not feasible to reopen with strict capacity limits, which include 10 people per indoor class and 10 people in an area where weights and exercise equipment are located.
“At this time we are not able to reopen due to capacity and service restriction mandates for fitness centres based on the local COVID-19 zone designation. Movati is monitoring the situation closely. We will advise members as soon as possible when the zone designation of your region changes to allow reopening of your club.”
Thunder Bay will remain in Red-Control for at least two weeks.
