Alberta has reduced COVID-19 restrictions for indoor fitness facilities and recreational centres, as the province has moved into Phase 2 of its opening plan on Monday, March 1.
The updated rules allow indoor gyms to reopen for individual and low-intensity group activities.
High-intensity activities which include running, spin and high-intensity interval training, continue to be allowed only on a one-on-one with a trainer basis.
Chris Landry, gym trainer and receptionist at Ultimate fitness studio, explains that they have signs posted to emphasize the use of gloves before people use any equipment, and after they’re done using it, wipe the equipment.
At the same time, face masks are required.
“We don’t want people using cardio equipment, where they’re doing heavy breathing, so the more focus is on low impact exercises, as well as keeping a distance from each other,” says Landry.
Roberto Martinez, an accountant at Chartered Professional Association says that things are getting better as compared before the lockdown and pandemic.
“It feels so good going back to the gym after such a long period of time as working out at home was not that exciting for me.”
“My classes are online and every time being at home is really depressing but still managing time for workout and all other work was not hard.”
“Wearing a mask while working out is uncomfortable but there is no other option until getting vaccinated,” says Martinez.
Carolyn Cameron, the yoga instructor and manager at LIV Yoga + Wellness, explains how they are following all of the provincial restrictions and regulations around the class and helping people with yoga for body balancing and stress management.
“We require members to wear masks at all times and engage in enhanced cleaning protocols so everything is being sanitized and disinfected in between the clients.”
“Yoga is an incredibly effective tool for stretching the body for a lot of people that are working office jobs.”
“It gives everyone the tools to be able to deal with stress in their daily life especially during the lockdown,” says Cameron.
The government is still very cautious about the ease of restrictions and they want the minimization of COVID-19 cases.
“We’ll help people to stay fit as much as they can following the measures and expand our capacity limit for the people to visit our gym in the future,” says Landry.
“Finally, the gyms have opened back so that I use the same motivation, energy and encouragement to go back to the gym,” says Martinez.
“We’re trying to partner with a lot of local businesses, so there are quite a few discount programs and website-based apps that are encouraging people to support local, to shop local and build our partnerships with those faces,” says Cameron.
Cameron explains that they have been partnering with a lot of corporate accounts for corporate wellness, getting out into the workforce, especially with streaming from home programs because people can do that from home.
