Fort Worth-area gyms aim to keep facilities clean as customers get sweaty again
As part of the next phase of Texas reopening its economy, gyms, fitness centers and health clubs across the state were permitted to reopen their doors to patrons for the first time in about two months.
Several facilities around Fort Worth opened Monday, although some are waiting just a little longer to welcome their clients back. Club owners must ensure that those working out adhere to a variety of social-distancing protocols mandated by the state. Crowds were down, but enthusiasm was soaring.
“Everybody’s whole demeanor, especially when they walk through the door, has been really good,” said Stephanie Springer, who owns Texas Fitt in Arlington with her husband Clint. “They’re really excited. It’s something that’s been good for us and them, and for everybody to get back to it.”
Among the protocols; facilities can open only at 25% capacity; customers must remain six feet apart when possible, in accordance to social-distancing guidelines; and gloves must be worn at all times. Other new rules state that showering is not permitted on premises and locker rooms are closed, though restrooms are open; facemasks are recommended, but optional; and cleaning after every piece of equipment after use is mandatory.
Texas Fitt member Neil Mather said he didn’t have any safety concerns as he returned to the gym, and he couldn’t wait for the doors to open. “I’m glad to be back,” he said. “It’s been the one thing that I enjoy the most, and to not have it for the past couple months, I got by but I’m very excited to be back.”
When the outbreak began, fitness centers and similar establishments were ruled to be non-essential businesses and were ordered to be closed during the initial wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
“People are coming in slowly, a little cautious, but feeling really good about how clean it is,” said Stringer, who opened at 5 a.m. “People are cleaning up after themselves. We have our crews cleaning. Really, for the most part, it’s gone really smooth.”
Not all workout facilities opened Monday. The regional Orangetheory Fitness studios are scheduled to open Saturday and Head 2 Toe Fitness Studio in Grand Prairie plans to open May 26, said owner Percy Bass.
The new normal was apparent at several locations, including at The Dailey Method in Colleyville, where group classes re-started Monday morning with a different look and feel. The four-year-old company is a cycling and barre facility that opened with plenty of social distancing and cleaning.
Before the virus, group classes could be at a maximum of 26 students. It’s down to 10 now. And the equipment is pre-arranged so that patrons do not have to handle it themselves. “Teachers were hands-on in the past,” owner Christina Vance said. “It’s not anymore. We may go back to it when it’s deemed safe.”
Cycling classes won’t be offered until May 31, but customers will notice the new social-distancing measures. There will be nine bicycles available to use. There were 18 back in January. Cycling shoes will no longer be available for rent.
“After each cycling class, we would clean the equipment,” Vance said. “We were doing that before all this started.”
Chris Ayala Fitness in White Settlement scheduled four classes Monday from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to give clients more options throughout the day. The average size of the first three classes was six people, down from the 15 to 20 people he said he would usually have before the pandemic.
“It’s been great so far,” he said. “No stress, no worries, and people are 100% grateful for their physical and mental health. I think this is a huge game-changer for the world. The more underlying health issues we have, the longer we carry and more we spread the disease. The healthier our community, the less community spread we have.”
Back at Texas Fitt, Springer said they lost 400 of their 2,400 clients during the pandemic, but had already gained new ones Monday. Memberships went up $10 to off-set the losses, but Springer said members have not objected.
Most gyms had their workouts online, offering classes via Zoom or social media. They also applied for financial assistance from the federal government, dealt with membership cancellations, and had to tell employees there wasn’t much work to go around. They were finally able to return to their facilities Monday.
“It’s nice to be back to work,” Springer said.
