After being shut for over seven months, gyms and training centres were finally allowed to open doors for fitness enthusiasts from November 1 onwards. Following a set of standard operating procedures as issued by the administration, gym owners are encouraging Ranchiites to sweat it out while adhering to the near normal.
City based gym cum fitness centre Health Freaks which started operations from November 9 has deployed extra housekeeping to ensure timely clean up of equipments. “The footfall is encouraging but low as lesser clients were expected. Following the norms, machines have been spaced out to maintain a six feet distance. Things like towels, mats and water bottles will not be available at the centre from now onwards and to ensure cleanliness, customers are being told to carry an extra pair of gym shoes as outside ones are not allowed any more. We have also placed self help disinfectants alongside each machine while facilities like steam, showers and group classes are not functional at the moment. The timings remain unchanged from 6 am to 10 pm with 15- minute breaks every hour for sanitation of the equipment and the area,” said Ankur Choudhary, Director Health Freaks
“Due to the lockdown we have incurred huge losses because of the ongoing fixed expenses like rent and electricity bills which had to be cleared on time but now we are trying to stay afloat and resume services. The response is certainly not the same as compared to pre covid times but clients are being encouraged to resume their fitness regimes. Each equipment is being thoroughly sanitised after use while sanitation of the entire premises is being done daily. To follow social distancing norms, for group classes like yoga, zumba and power yoga only nine members are allowed in each session in an area of 1,500 square feet,” said Amit Kumar owner of Fitness Evolution, Chutia.
While on one hand gym owners claim to have lost business, the imposed lockdown has proved to be a boon for city based pilates instructor Sonam Sahu who has gathered more than 60 clients from all over the globe for her online sessions.
“As an instructor I too am able to give personal attention to each person and address their particular problems. In Covid times, where mental stress is also becoming a challenge for many, people have been opting for pilates which is for the mind, body and soul. A lot of my clients have been saying that online classes have been both cost and time saving for them. With online classes, people are also getting a chance to interact post the session which otherwise would not have happened at a centre in the present situation,” stated Sahu.
