CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Gyms across Ohio are preparing to reopen Tuesday after being given the green light by Governor Mike DeWine.
While some gym owners chose to open early following a court ruling, others are waiting until May 26 as advised by DeWine.
Philly Weeden has worked for years to build a business he calls his own.
“Man, I started at Bally Total Fitness as a janitor at age 18,” Weeden said, “And then from there I went on to being a receptionist.”
Business at Voltage Training and Fitness Center in Cleveland Heights has been on hold for two months and working with clients has looked drastically different.
“We definitely transitioned into doing virtual things,” Weeden said, “Virtual classes online. We’ve been doing personal training online.”
Customers there are gradually being welcomed back beginning Tuesday.
“We’re going to open the doors up first with personal training and see how that goes and getting them acclimated with the rules, regulations and the things that are in place,” Weeden said, “And then from there we’re going to start classes.”
Weeden and his employees have implemented several health precautions. Employees are required to wear masks and gym-goers are strongly encouraged to.
“We have sanitary stations all around the gym,” Weeden said, “We taped off the floor six by six so people understand the distance that’s needed.”
Weeden said before the pandemic, between 500 and 600 people passed through the fitness center each day.
However, he knows that won’t immediately be the case for many of his loyal customers.
“They want to wait a month or two to see how things go and I understand that,” Weeden said, “Because right now it’s more of a self-health thing and they want to be protected.”
If you are a paying customer with an active gym membership but do not feel comfortable working out at a particular facility yet, consult with managers about possible changes to freezing or cancellation policies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
