Ready to sweat? Hamilton gyms reopen for indoor workouts

Sweaty gym selfies are back, Hamilton.

Come Friday morning, Ontarians will once again hit the elliptical as the province moves into Step 3 of its COVID-19 reopening plan.

Under the third phase - the last before the province loosens nearly all of its restrictions - indoor fitness classes and personal training can resume in the province. Fitness facilities were previously allowed to operate outdoor programming.

But it's not all back-to-normal just yet, as per the province's regulations.

Gyms are limited to operating at up to 50 per cent capacity or at a maximum of 1,000 and operators must continue to collect contact information in the event of an outbreak. Masks are also not required to be worn while exercising.

The Spectator has broken down some of the measures you can expect to see if you plan to hit the gym this summer.

Gym on Locke

For Hamiltonians planning on breaking a sweat at the Gym on Locke, the facility plans on keeping things status quo," said owner Stefan Witt.

Thanks to expanded capacity limits, they've moved away from asking members to limit their workouts. Being a boutique-style club, they usually top out at 150 workouts a day, he noted.

We'll be operating as regular," said Witt. Obviously we have a limit in the facility, but we'll never reach it because we're a smaller club."

Masks will be required in all common areas and while walking around the facility, but once folks are working out they can remove it, he said.

Plexiglas barriers have also been installed between each piece of cardio equipment and the facilities will be fogged" with a hypochlorous acid solution three times a day.

Witt said they will also conduct random temperature scans on visitors, while staff at both their Locke Street and Fennell Avenue East locations will be tested on-site once a week. He noted that most staff are now fully vaccinated.

They've done their due diligence, which is really important," he said.

Reopening Friday at noon, Witt said they've been swamped" with questions from members, but they have also heard from some folks who are holding off until they're fully vaccinated.

People are excited to get back," said Witt. But we also respect everyone's comfort level."

Momentum Fitness

At Momentum Fitness, which has locations in both Dundas and the city's downtown, staff will be tested for COVID-19 three times a week as part of McMaster University's Institute for Infectious Disease Research saliva study.

Tyler Ouwendyk, director of sales and operations at Momentum, said each week the staff's spit tubes" will be picked up by researchers. If any of the rapid tests come back positive, staff will have to get another test to confirm if they're infected.

It will give our members more peace of mind, and our families, too, with us being at a gym all day," he said.

Masks will be mandatory throughout the entire workout, a departure from the province's regulations, Ouwendyk said.

They will also continue to use a booking system for workouts and, despite increased capacity limits, their facilities will only allow for eight members on the gym floor at time to ensure proper distancing.

It makes people feel a little bit more comfortable," he said, noting they typically serve an older clientele. That's why we're going the extra mile. We want to protect our community and do our part."

Set to open their doors Friday, Ouwendyk is looking forward to seeing their clients reconnect.

We're all super excited to reignite our community," he added.

BodyPro Gym

Clients at BodyPro Gym will no longer have to book ahead to get their workout in, said manager Carmen Rea.

Members will be required to wear their masks as they walk around the facility, but once working out they're able to take it off. Members will also be met with a temperature scanner and hand sanitizer when they walk in the door, said Rea.

The Upper Wentworth gym had opened an outdoor fitness facility when the province began to relax COVID-19 restrictions but it's set to close next week.

From Friday morning on, all members will be welcomed back inside, said Rea.

We're very excited," she added.

GoodLife Fitness

GoodLife Fitness members will also be welcomed back as the company reopens its Hamilton and Burlington locations on Friday.

According to their reopening plan, members are not required to book their workouts but they are asked to limit their workouts to 90 minutes or less due to capacity limits.

Members will be required to wear masks upon entry and while moving within the club. They can only be removed once a member is at their workout station. Members are also not required to provide a proof of vaccination, according to their website.

In-person group fitness classes will resume on July 19.

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com