Governor says gyms can reopen at 50% capacity Monday

Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Credit: WINK News.

During a public address Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced gyms can reopen at 50% capacity in Florida beginning Monday.

We visited Anytime Fitness in Cape Coral, where owner Yvette Sparks is eager to welcome members back and ready to meet the governor’s conditions.

“We are more than ready,” Sparks said. “I feel like some people are slipping into depression and bad habits … I think it’s important that we get back to exercise.”

Sparks says Anytime Fitness has been cleaning every inch of the gym for the past eight weeks and have even moved machines apart and put stickers on the floor to help maintain social distancing.

“We have the sanitizing and disinfectant products,” Sparks said. “We have hand sanitizer. We have extra stations around for cleaning equipment.”

Anytime Fitness also has a fogging machine that they’ll use daily. But Sparks says the cleaning aspect really isn’t anything new in her gym and most others.

“Fitness centers have always provided cleaning products,” Sparks said. “It didn’t take COVID-19 for us to provide members with stuff to be sanitary and disinfect with.”

WATCH: Gov. DeSantis announces update for gyms and more

Not all gyms are following the exact same process to meet the governor’s guidelines. So, if you have questions about how they’re going to ensure your safety, call your gym before you go.

It will be critical that members wipe the machines down when they’re done. While they’re OK to reopen, Sparks understands if some people aren’t quite ready to return.

“That’s perfectly fine,” Sparks said. “We are going to have a virtual option for those who want to continue to exercise with us.”

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.