Gym instructors and enthusiasts have welcomed the Uttarakhand government's decision to allow the operation of gymnasiums at 50 per cent occupancy after the time period of two months from Tuesday. However, many also expressed uncertainty regarding the return of all the gym members anytime soon. According to gymnasium operators, they are taking all the precautions including regular sanitisation of premises, thermal screening of gym members and keeping physical distance while doing exercises. "Usually my one training session includes 30 members but on the first day, only 12 members arrived. Last year too, people did not return to gym for months after the lockdown was lifted due to Covid scare. It would take at least one month for people to return to the gym this time too," said a Raipur Road gymnasium owner Ashsish Kumar. However, he added that the reopening of gymnasiums will help gym owners to at least make enough money to pay the rent of their gymnasiums.
Another gym instructor, Sunder Jeena said that though he is pleased that the government allowed reopening of gymnasiums, he is unsure of the return of all members this time. "Unlike last year, people now know that there are various variants of Covid-19 that pose risk to humans. Also, the news of possibly getting hit by the third wave of Covid-19 in a few months is also making rounds. This will make it very hard for us to convince members to continue their physical training at gymnasiums, especially those who have kids," stated Jeena.
Meanwhile, many fitness enthusiasts are keen to return to gymnasiums to continue their training while some have decided to wait for a few more weeks to rejoin. "I was delighted to return to the gym after two months on Tuesday. Though only a few people rejoined, everybody was quite enthusiastic about the workout session," said Karnpur resident Abhishek Gusain. Ruchika Khansali, a homemaker and a mother of two kids said that though she was quite keen to rejoin the gym, she has decided to wait for a month. "I have been hearing about the possibility of the third wave of Covid affecting the children most. Despite taking all the possible precautionary measures, people do come in contact with other members in a gymnasium,” said Khansali.
