With Unlock 3.0, the Central government has given a go-ahead to gyms and gym owners have plans in place to ensure the safety of the members and staff. With slot-based entry and online booking being considered by several gyms which are already successful in Gulf countries, especially cities like Dubai, this model looks adaptable in India as well.
Chacko Raphael Tharakan, 30-year-old fitness model, can’t wait to head to the gym. He says, “With the pandemic, we all want to stay free from corona but working out is a part of life for some of us and our career relies on it. I will surely go to the gym. The fitness centres should ensure optimal sanitisation, entry of limited members depending upon available space and staff.”
Hygiene is a valid concern but it is as much the responsibility of the members as it is of the gym management. Covid-19 is not going to go away anytime soon but it shouldn’t stop people from training and now they have been given a choice to workout at home or in the gym. Chacko focuses on weight-training more but the workout regime would be more or less similar to pre-corona times. The pandemic has rekindled the value of a healthy mind and body. And exercising along with a balanced diet plays a crucial role in boosting your immunity which is the need of the moment.
Covid-19 has been and remains a serious health issue. Therefore, certain guidelines would be maintained to ensure client safety. Jatin Gupta, owner of Cuboco Fitness Centre, Punjabi Bagh, says, “We remain committed to helping people with their fitness goals which also includes their health and wellness. Daily and mandatory temperature checks for staff and members; timeslot pre-bookings, up to 15 members would be allowed at a time in a 4,000 sq ft area, limited staff involvement with only required trainers but no helpers and sanitisation at the end of every slot time will be done.” He also adds that clients will be required to bring their water bottles, gym gloves and any temporary body-hugging pieces of equipment like weight belts and mats.
Few prominent changes would be witnessed in the gyms during this pandemic. People should visit by calling and getting an appointment beforehand in case of smaller gyms; equipment will be spaced out; sauna bath, shower, steam bath and drinking water facilities will be temporary on hold; staff will be instructed to practise social distancing and group activities such as aerobics, yoga and Zumba will be restricted for a few months. Nitish Yadav, owner of Vasant Kunj’s The Bodyline Gym, says, “In my opinion, people can maintain a balance between working out in a gym and at home. They can opt for gyming two to three days a week. Since Covid-19 is very much prevalent they should focus on their diet to maintain immunity.” Shivam Gupta, owner of UFC Gym, Punjabi Bagh, advises members to wear a breathable mask during entry, exit and breaks, workout gloves, full sleeves clothes and carry personal face towel, sanitiser and separate gym shoes.
Also, opening of the yoga studios will play a promising part for people to get back to their daily wellness regime. Celebrity yoga instructor and meditation expert Paloma Gangopadhyay says, “Yoga is the path of healing and recovery. The moment studios opens up, yoga studio owners will have to take strict measures such as maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene of the clientele. They should be asked to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the class, carry shoe bags and sanitise their hands before entering the class. Verbal communication between clients during the class must be minimised keeping the discipline of yoga and mat to mat distance must be minimum 2 to 3 feet keeping in mind the size of the studios.” She further adds that batches should be increased keeping in mind the growing number of people with new-found health consciousness. Also, each batch now will have fewer people due to per mat distance. Keeping in mind these precautionary measures, the yoga world will come back to a healthy normal soon.
Sugandha Goel, founder of Take a Breath fitness centre, Pitampura, says that they will ask the members to bring their mats and other essentials, the appropriate distance between the mats will be maintained, there will be air purifiers and room temperature would be maintained on air conditioners if the members agree for the same. Chemical disinfection and sanitisation have already been done in the studio. “We would be following a holistic approach focusing on building their immunity and ensuring physical and mental wellness. There will be counselling sessions to take care of their mental health. Relaxation would be given in packages and other facilities as we understand the monetary constraints. Wearing face masks while practising various asanas will not be possible. But they would be required to wear masks while arriving and departing the studio premises. We are taking required measures and are planning to make a sanitisation tunnel to ensure maximum safety,” she adds.
Gym culture won’t be same again
Though gym owners are hopeful with the new guidelines but still many major challenges remain unaddressed. Taking precautions in the gym such as using disinfectant spray while using equipment seems difficult but there is no other option as some of the smaller gyms can’t afford the staff to sanitise equipment after every use. It would double the gym’s operational cost. Fitness coach Prashant Tanwar says, “The management can only do as per the best of their capabilities but would require support from the members to maintain hygiene standards which are for their and others safety. We are only focused on social distancing and will hire one more employee whose sole job will be to keep on sanitising fitness equipment, mats and every touchpoint on the premises at regular intervals.”
“It is very difficult to wear a mask and exercise. We are awaiting the SOPs from the government. Gym culture will never be the same again. If we can achieve 50% of the profit that we used to make we will be grateful. We want waive-off in electricity bills, some rebate in GST from the Delhi government if possible,” adds Mukesh Gogia, owner of multiplebranches of Anytime Fitness in Delhi.
Although the Uttar Pradesh government has given a green signal to the gyms, Nadir Siddiquee, owner of SQUATS Diet & Wellness Centre, Noida, will not be reopening it anytime soon since touching of equipment would be there and use of masks can be dangerous. During training if the mask is not breathable then you might feel suffocated and oxygen levels may go down. He says, “If management can maintain safety standards and sanitise equipment after one to two hours of use then it can work. However, this will increase the operational cost which is not feasible for small gyms. An infected person can create a problem for other members as an asymptomatic Covid-19 case can lead to its spread. We are still not sure about how this virus is spreading and are getting new information with passing time. There are many theories about it so certain risks are involved.”