(Submitted photo/Rise Up Health and Fitness)

By Nicole Reis

FITNESS FACILITY REOPENS

Meadow Lake’s gym pumped to reopen with safety precautions at the forefront

Jun 8, 2020 | 2:14 PM

Phase Three of the provinces re-open plan is underway and local gym ownership, its members and staff have all been eager to resume regular physical activity and making community connections.

Most businesses in the province have been temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic since mid-March.

Rise Up Health and Fitness in Meadow Lake opened its doors to fitness enthusiasts at 6 a.m this morning and staff say while they have certainly missed their clients, the local gym has additional stringent measures in place to keep everyone safe and comfortable.

Jenalee Blatz, the co owner, told meadowlakeNOW with her facility now reopened, the community can take back their physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing after months of uncertainty.

“In some cases, working out from home for many has presented its challenges, she said. “But we’re all getting a little closer to having our lives back.”

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The Rise Up facility underwent a high-temperature steam clean and sanitization procedure during its closure and another thorough cleaning before reopening. All equipment and spaces have been sanitized and staff will continue to clean equipment after each use and on a regular basis.

“I’m excited and happy to see our members again,” Blatz said. “The closure has caused some hardship but our community’s support has been tremendously appreciated.”

During the closure, the facility was able to rent some of its equipment to members, and hold group fitness classes online. Under new guidelines, the gym has a 15 person limit as per the limit on indoor gatherings under the Phase Three protocols.

Gym users will be asked to be mindful of spacing machines out from other members, use one piece of equipment at a time and clean the equipment after use. Staff will aim to follow up with an additional cleaning measures after members are finished.

Fitness instructor, Colleen Dull, said she’s missed having a sense of community connection with members and those who came in for their morning routine were onboard with the new changes.

“I’ve missed [our clients],” she said. “This morning has been really nice visiting with everyone again and I think everybody feels the same.”

Member, Quaid Tournier said getting back to regular workouts is a relief after more than three months of lockdown. Tournier races chuck wagons which requires him stay in good physical shape.

“I’ve tried to work out from home but I can’t say I was real dedicated,” he said. “It’s been tough – I outride and after that all got cancelled, the motivation to stay in shape was pretty low after that.”

Tournier added he is friends with the facility ownership and is happy to see their business reopen again.

New Normal

The province has issued a list of guidelines for fitness facilities and its members to ensure a safe space for community wellbeing. Rise Up Health and Fitness has made adjustments to their operating hours so staff can ensure the safety of members and thoroughly clean on a regular basis. The facility has an informal contact in place for members to read and agree to prior to exercising. Some of the changes include:

• Asking members to distance themselves while using equipment such a treadmills by using every other piece of equipment and distancing themselves from other members.
• Asking members to wipe down machines and equipment after use as usual.
• Water fountains, showers and kid’s areas remain closed. Group classes will continue to be offered online.
• Members are also asked to wash hands regularly, arrive with workout gear already on and limit bringing personal property in to the facility such as gym bags.
• 24-hour gym use has been suspended. Staffed operating hours are now from 6 a.m until 9 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, Friday’s from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturday’s from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The facility will be closed Sunday’s for additional cleaning and sanitation.
• Members are asked to stay home if they are feeling sick.

Additional provincial guidelines for fitness facilities can be found here.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722