JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Gyms are able to reopen Monday in Florida after Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida will go in full Phase 1 on Friday.
There are some rules gyms have to follow if they want to open. Indoor capacity must be at 50 percent, patrons must be separated by least six feet, have strict sanitation protocols, and indoor group sessions and classes are prohibited.
Jacque Grzebin, co-owner of The Gym Jax, says the pandemic closed their gym for two months. They decided not to take dues from members as she understood everyone was getting hit financially.
The gym opened up at 4 a.m. Monday morning, and employees told WOKV that it looked like New Year’s Day. They never saw so many people happy to be back.
“I just got chills because we have so many members, and I don’t know every single member by name or face, but to feel happiness of being able to be back in the gym, I mean everybody in some capacity has felt a strain. whether it’s being in their house and a lot of people, a stress reliever is in the gym,” Grzebin said. “People are able to come back in here, even if it’s for 45 minutes or an hour, to help them be able to step away from what their troubles are, makes this all great.”
Some of the other precautions The Gym Jax is taking include having the Kids Club and steam rooms closed, members must bring their own mat, and limiting the number of people in group rooms.
Lori Stratton, 54, was counting the days until the gym opened again. She says she understands shutting down the schools, and even the gyms, but believes the restrictions may have been taken too far.
“I just feel like they took the responsibility away from people. We’re risk-takers, that’s Americans,” Stratton said. “If you want to take the risk, take the risk.”
Stratton is a mother of two and a nurse to a pharmacist. She loves to exercise and while some dumbbells and an old coffee table did help for home workouts, it comes nothing to working out in a gym.
“I’m glad they opened because it’s a lifestyle for a lot of people,” Stratton said. “I mean we’re here five, six days a week.”
