The owner of 4 Horsemen Fitness was forced to get creative with offering fitness solutions during the shutdown, but is ready to open the doors again. (Trevor Redden/paNOW Staff)

By Trevor Redden

Back in the gym

Fitness facilities to re-open, but businesses have hurdles to clear

May 26, 2020 | 1:43 PM

Local gyms and fitness centres have done what they can while being shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, offering video training and online classes, but owners are welcoming the opportunity to open their doors once again on June 8th.

Danielle Carter, owner and operator of 4 Horsemen Fitness, said the shutdown forced her to get out of her comfort zone and provide services for her clients in a different way. She described herself as not being computer-literate, but figured out how to provide online training sessions via Zoom.

“I’ve been super lucky, we have 43 amazing athletes that have been training with me Monday to Friday every week out of their home,” Carter said. “It’s been amazing.”

The added expenses and effort to incorporate an online solution weren’t what she expected to be doing in 2020, but Carter took it all in stride.

“As much as COVID-19 has really changed all of our lives, I was so thankful to think outside the box and do something during this time to keep people healthy.”

Missing pet

'She means the world to our family': Woman seeks help in finding missing pet parrot

11h ago

BE CAREFUL ON THE ROADS

Semi flips outside P.A.; one of dozens of incidents on Sask. roads due to winter weather

11h ago

NO GO FOR BUSES

School bus routes outside P.A. canceled due to spring snowstorm

16h ago

Carter said she is happy to have retained her employees, and is even looking at adding more staff as they re-open with stricter guidelines and more requirements.

Lucian Phillips, owner and operator of LDP Martial Arts has had a similar experience by utilizing technology to continue engaging with his clients.

“It keeps you connected with the students. I’ve had a lot of parents saying ‘thank you, it’s given my child something to do.’ Or even adults saying it keeps them on top of their workouts,” Phillips said, before acknowledging he’s ready to get back to normal.

The owner of LDP Martial Arts is eager to open not only to connect with his clients, but it’s how he feeds his family and pays his bills. (Trevor Redden/paNOW Staff)

“But I can tell you it’s not the same, nothing like a real class. Especially in a contact sport.”

While the ability to stay connected has been mutually beneficial, Phillips said at the end of the day, the bottom line needs to add up and that’s why he’s eager to open as soon as he can do so safely.

“This is my livelihood. It’s not a source of entertainment for me, this is how I provide for my family, this is how I pay my bills,” Phillips said.

Just like the others, Sask Pro Crossfit has been offering online instruction since being shut down, and are now looking at how to re-open under the new guidelines.

Owner Scott Gardiner says it’s a matter of making sure everything is in place to meet the government’s standards.

“We’re going to have some distancing between clients. We will be setting up our gym quite a bit differently. [There will be] less people for sure, making areas within the gym where people will stay in there, and of course cleaning equipment is going to be a number one priority,” Gardiner said.

Scott Gardiner, owner of SaskPro Crossfit, says more staff will be hired to see that guidelines are met upon re-opening. (Submitted photo/Sask Pro Crossfit)

He added they will also be bringing on more staff to help out in the beginning to ensure things are being done properly.

In addition to physical distancing and sanitation measures, gyms and fitness centres are not allowed to have drinking fountains or showers and locker rooms available to the public, among other restrictions.

–

trevor.redden@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Trevor_Redden