The New Normal: What gyms will be like once they resume operations

Gym goers have been waiting for the day they can finally go back to the saddle and do proper workouts with their coaches and trainers, but unfortunately they will have to wait a little longer. 

According to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, gyms are still not allowed to operate under GCQ, explaining that the government had to balance its risks for COVID-19 transmission and its necessity.

“Under the GCQ hindi muna [allowed] so high-risk kasi as we review the sectors to be opened, it is always finding the balance between transmission rate, potential transmission rate and essential nature of the business,” Lopez explained. 

So while we're waiting for when we're able to train again, GMA News Online interviewed some of the country's well-known fitness centers including Evolution Wellness  Philippines (Fitness First and Celebrity Fitness), Gold's Gym and Pretty Huge Obstacles to know how they have been preparing for the new normal.

Photo by Danielle Cerullo on Unsplash

Aside from the usual protocols including washing of hands, foot bath, temperature checks and intensive and frequent sanitation of equipment and facilities, here are some other extra measures the gyms will be doing to keep their members safe and healthy.

Temporary online classes. All gyms interviewed said they have been continuously engaging with their members virtually, by providing them workout routines and programs online.

"To encourage our members to stay committed to their fitness during the quarantine period...we began offering a variety of workouts from our sister brands across Asia which members as well as the general public can access live through our social media channels for free," Evolution Wellness Philippines Country Manager Mark Ellis told GMA News Online.

Gold's Gym has also been doing the same.

"We maintain our relevance by continuously providing health and fitness tips through our social media, by continuing our training programs, by servicing our corporate engagements virtually and by preparing a better and more responsive digital platform," Gold's Gym Philippines President and CEO Mylene Dayrit said.

Pretty Huge Obstacles have also been offering free as well as paid online classes to their community through Zoom.

"The zoom classes are paid classes since the coach will see their students and be able to give them feedback," General manager of Pretty Huge Obstacles Edsel Vengco said.

"We continue to establish good relations with our members and corporate clients by giving them some fitness tips and offering our online wellness programs," Vengco added.

Aside from their virtual efforts, Pretty Huge Obstacles will also recently start renting out their equipment while under GCQ.

No more crowded gyms. All gyms interviewed said they will be limiting the number of people and will require pre-booking of slots to ensure social distancing is observed.

With most of their studios at least 100 square meters, Gold's Gym is planning to limit class attendance to 20 per hour.

"That means that each personal spot is more than 2 meters by 2 meters — double the minimum social distancing standard."

"In the gym area, we will either increase the space between equipment to at least one meter or when that is not possible we will implement a rule of leaving empty equipment in between two active users.”

Meanwhile, Evolution Wellness Philippines is launching Fitness First and Celebrity Fitness mobile apps for pre-booking gym floor access and group fitness classes.

They will also be having a "no contact" policy even during personal training sessions.

They said they have trained their staff to "guide members on the new social distancing protocols and prominent signs will be placed all over our clubs to serve as constant reminders."

Aside from limiting the number of people inside the gym, Pretty Huge Obstacles said their members would only be allowed up to one hour inside the facility.

Face masks/shields and gloves to become part of your workout OOTD. Gold's Gym and Pretty Huge Obstacles said they will be requiring their members to wear face shields or masks and full finger gloves inside the fitness facilities for extra protection.

"Everyone should be responsible enough to protect themselves and others by always assuming that you or the person next to you might be an asymptomatic COVID19 carrier," Gold's Gym said.

However, they reminded members to make sure that they can still exercise "comfortably and breathe properly."

Meanwhile, Evolution Wellness Philippines said as of now gloves are not yet essential and they will only be requiring their members to wear face masks to follow government protocols.

All gyms are also requiring their members to bring their own towels, water bottles, yoga mats, hammocks, boxing gloves and workout apparel.

Pretty Huge Obstacles has marshals to ensure that the members will follow their protocols inside the gym.

The role of gym facilities amid the new normal

Evolution Wellness Philippines Country Manager Mark Ellis said that in the new normal, they are recognizing "that exercise is more important now than ever.

"Physical activity is proven to help boost the immune system, which is the best defense against the virus, and also support an individual’s mental health," he added.

He said the role of gym and fitness organizations is to "educate and encourage everyone to start or continue setting healthy habits."

"Whether they engage in in-club activities or at-home workouts, it is important to instill the lifelong habit of working out, eating well, and getting enough sleep into their routine," he added.

Meanwhile Gold's Gym CEO Dayrit said their industry's role is " to determine the different ways by which we can continue servicing the fitness needs of the community following agreed safety protocols and maximizing whatever means, virtual or actual, we have at our disposal to provide professional support.” — LA, GMA News