Current status of gyms under COVID-19
With several states now re-opening select businesses, select gyms are beginning to open their doors. However, many gyms are franchise owned and allowed to remain closed despite the lifting of local ordinances. The following is the current list on where many health club chains stand on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Georgia
Last week, Governor Kemp announced that the state would be partially re-opening select businesses, including fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, hair and nail salons, and massage therapy businesses. However, major gym chains such as LA Fitness, Equinox, SoulCycle, Planet Fitness, and Anytime Fitness have remained cautious and kept their doors closed. Select Workout Anytime facilities, like the one in the city of Stockbridge, have opened their doors with the following restriction:
I'm unsure of the exact details, but based on their text, it would appear that you would need to call the gym ahead to reserve your workout "spot" on when you want to go to the gym. On other hand, all Gold's Gyms in Georgia are now open.
Texas
Today, Governor Abbott announced that he would allow the state's shelter in place order to expire this Thursday. So on Friday, businesses like retail stores, malls, restaurants, theaters, and even museums and libraries will open with occupancy limits to 25%. Abbott did note, however, that he wants barbershops, salons, gyms and bars open "as soon as possible" and expects them to open no later than mid-May, meaning that gyms will remain closed but could open within the coming weeks.
California
Governor Newsom's shelter in place order is in effect through May 1, and an extension has not been announced yet. However, six Bay Area counties have extended the shelter in place orders through May 31, and LA County's directive is through May 15. So gyms at least in the Bay Area won't be opening until June 1 at the earliest.
My local gym in Yolo County has anticipated an opening on May 1, though this of course would be pushed back if the State, City, of County extends the shelter in place orders.
24 Hour Fitness
24 Hour Fitness has stated that all their club locations are currently closed to the public in compliance with the requirements and recommendations from government and public health agencies. They pledge to continue to follow their guidance on when and how they can safely and responsibly re-open.
LA Fitness and City Sports
Even though they have gyms in Georgia, LA Fitness has stated that they remain deeply concerned for the health of their members and employees during this COVID 19 crisis. As part of their responsibility to reduce the spread of the virus, they are keeping all their LA Fitness, City Sports Clubs, and Esporta Fitness clubs closed to the public until further notice.
Equinox and SoulCycle
Equinox and SoulCycle stated that they are constantly monitoring the situation, and will re-open as soon as they are given the all-clear and feel it’s safe to reopen our doors. So despite having locations in Georgia, both fitness centers will remain closed.
Planet Fitness
Despite having a heavy presence in Georgia, Planet Fitness has kept all of their gyms closed out of an abundance of caution for public health.
Gold's Gym
To ensure the safety of their members and team members, most Gold’s Gym locations are closed. However, most of their locations throughout the state of Georgia are now open. These gyms might end up acting as "test bunnies" on whether or not it's safe to open gyms.
Bottom line
Aside from the select gym facilities in Georgia, it may be a while before any of us will be able to hit our long lost gyms. Even when fitness centers begin to open, expect to see some significant changes including capacity controls and social distancing (yes, even for your bench press spotter). But even as you're coped at home, there are effective at-home workouts that you can be doing without equipment. So never make closed gyms and excuse not to stay active, and go do some HIIT sprints while you're patiently waiting for your gym to re-open so that you can feel that nice heavy barbell again.
From all of us at Flying for Fitness, please stay healthy during this trying time. We hope you enjoyed this post. Please consider visiting one of our sponsors by clicking on the advertisements. Our sponsors pay us for customer visits and help us to keep the lights on. Thanks!
Georgia
Last week, Governor Kemp announced that the state would be partially re-opening select businesses, including fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, hair and nail salons, and massage therapy businesses. However, major gym chains such as LA Fitness, Equinox, SoulCycle, Planet Fitness, and Anytime Fitness have remained cautious and kept their doors closed. Select Workout Anytime facilities, like the one in the city of Stockbridge, have opened their doors with the following restriction:
I'm unsure of the exact details, but based on their text, it would appear that you would need to call the gym ahead to reserve your workout "spot" on when you want to go to the gym. On other hand, all Gold's Gyms in Georgia are now open.
Texas
Today, Governor Abbott announced that he would allow the state's shelter in place order to expire this Thursday. So on Friday, businesses like retail stores, malls, restaurants, theaters, and even museums and libraries will open with occupancy limits to 25%. Abbott did note, however, that he wants barbershops, salons, gyms and bars open "as soon as possible" and expects them to open no later than mid-May, meaning that gyms will remain closed but could open within the coming weeks.
California
Governor Newsom's shelter in place order is in effect through May 1, and an extension has not been announced yet. However, six Bay Area counties have extended the shelter in place orders through May 31, and LA County's directive is through May 15. So gyms at least in the Bay Area won't be opening until June 1 at the earliest.
 |
| Patience.... |
My local gym in Yolo County has anticipated an opening on May 1, though this of course would be pushed back if the State, City, of County extends the shelter in place orders.
24 Hour Fitness
24 Hour Fitness has stated that all their club locations are currently closed to the public in compliance with the requirements and recommendations from government and public health agencies. They pledge to continue to follow their guidance on when and how they can safely and responsibly re-open.
LA Fitness and City Sports
Even though they have gyms in Georgia, LA Fitness has stated that they remain deeply concerned for the health of their members and employees during this COVID 19 crisis. As part of their responsibility to reduce the spread of the virus, they are keeping all their LA Fitness, City Sports Clubs, and Esporta Fitness clubs closed to the public until further notice.
Equinox and SoulCycle
Equinox and SoulCycle stated that they are constantly monitoring the situation, and will re-open as soon as they are given the all-clear and feel it’s safe to reopen our doors. So despite having locations in Georgia, both fitness centers will remain closed.
 |
| All those unused spin bikes.... |
Planet Fitness
Despite having a heavy presence in Georgia, Planet Fitness has kept all of their gyms closed out of an abundance of caution for public health.
Gold's Gym
To ensure the safety of their members and team members, most Gold’s Gym locations are closed. However, most of their locations throughout the state of Georgia are now open. These gyms might end up acting as "test bunnies" on whether or not it's safe to open gyms.
 |
| The Gold's Gym in Lawrenceville, GA is open for grunting and sweating |
Bottom line
Aside from the select gym facilities in Georgia, it may be a while before any of us will be able to hit our long lost gyms. Even when fitness centers begin to open, expect to see some significant changes including capacity controls and social distancing (yes, even for your bench press spotter). But even as you're coped at home, there are effective at-home workouts that you can be doing without equipment. So never make closed gyms and excuse not to stay active, and go do some HIIT sprints while you're patiently waiting for your gym to re-open so that you can feel that nice heavy barbell again.
From all of us at Flying for Fitness, please stay healthy during this trying time. We hope you enjoyed this post. Please consider visiting one of our sponsors by clicking on the advertisements. Our sponsors pay us for customer visits and help us to keep the lights on. Thanks!
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