Some gyms in Arizona have already reopened with the blessing of state officials, but it now appears more will be operating nearly two months after having to shut down a second time.
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Some gyms in Arizona have already reopened with the blessing of state officials, but it now appears more will be operating nearly two months after having to shut down a second time.
Mountainside Fitness and Esporta are reopening gyms in Arizona Thursday, Aug. 27. Eos Fitness locations reopened Aug. 15. Some Orangetheory Fitness locations have also reopened. Life Time Fitness reopened its fitness floors Wednesday, Aug. 26, including its newest location in the Biltmore area.
Mountainside Fitness' reopening comes despite the Arizona Department of Health Services denying the company from reopening on multiple occasions. Mountainside and state officials have been tied up in the courts over whether Gov. Doug Ducey's executive order was fair in providing a pathway for gyms to reopen. A judge ruled that gyms should have a way to apply for reopening rather than the governor deciding when all are allowed to reoperate.
This week, Mountainside submitted an application and enlisted the services of independent certification company HealthyVerify in order to verify the gym's ability to reopen safely.
Mountainside CEO Tom Hatten said AZDHS' standards of approval are "subjective, and essentially unknown to the fitness applicants."
"Which is why you will not see them on our website," Mr. Hatten stated in a release. “We believe the HealthyVerify certification is more in depth than other subjective unknown waiver guidelines the state is unwilling to make public. If we are met with action from the AZDHS, I can assure you that we will be ready to defend our actions. In doing so, we will bring to light much of the untold facts regarding the state’s lack of clarity and accountability of all numbers in this pandemic and seek answers to each subjective ‘waiver’ approval or denial in this much publicized closure of an industry."
Over 1,200 businesses have submitted applications for reopening, according to a list obtained by Capitol Media Services. Some of that total are businesses that have multiple locations, such as the gyms. The AZDHS did not issue any new approvals or denials on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Data from the AZDHS shows businesses in Cochise, Coconino, Greenlee, La Paz and Yavapai counties can already reopen providing they follow certain health protocols. That means everything from physical distancing and mask requirements to enhanced cleaning procedures. Pima, Pinal and Maricopa counties are just one benchmark shy of hitting the numbers to reopen, which could happen Thursday when the latest figures are released.
There’s a limit of 25% capacity for gyms, and 50% for movie theaters and bars.
As part of the reopening process, the AZDHS has several guidance points for gym-goers and employees:
Stay home if sick
Stay at least 6 feet away from other patrons — this likely applies to anyone using a spotter
Avoid visiting gyms and fitness providers if you are at higher risk for severe illness (65 and older and anyone with underlying medical conditions)
Don't touch eyes, nose or mouth
Use touchless payment if possible (sanitize afterwards if touchless options are not available)
After leaving the gym, use hand sanitizer and wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds when you get home
Gyms are also recommended to take additional steps, including providing and requiring employees to wear masks when possible, operate at reduced capacity and arranging facilities to ensure as much physical distancing for patrons and employees.
Gyms themselves have their own policies and safety measures in place, from reservations to visit or take classes, limited equipment and requiring face coverings at all times.
EoS has been a guinea pig of sorts as the company was the first big gym chain to reopen — it did so Aug. 15.
Members are required to reserve a workout time slot up to 24 hours in advance. They can do so on the EoS mobile app or online. Guests are still allowed to accompany members and must reserve a spot at the same time.
The current phase of reopening limits the gym capacity to about 100 members at any given time, according to company's website.
Face coverings are required at all times in the gym, even while taking a class or doing cardio. EoS states on its website that "if you can't (or won't) wear a face covering, now is not a good time to be at the gym."
The Kids' Club is temporarily closed, as are basketball courts, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and tanning beds. Group fitness classes are on hold until Maricopa County enters the moderate-risk phase. State officials pointed towards Thursday, Aug. 27 as being that potential day.
Life Time reopened its fitness floors at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, according to an email received by gym members. The company has five locations in the Valley — Phoenix Biltmore, Tempe, Scottsdale and Gilbert — and has been working on construction of its sixth spot in Peoria.
Life Time had been operating the Life Spa and Life Cafe sections of its facilities, but the workout floors had been closed.
Face masks are required at all times, even while exercising. The clubs will have masks available for purchase.
"We’re excited to welcome members back to our indoor fitness spaces at our Phoenix-area destinations — and they’ve been glad to return!" Public Relations Specialist Dan DeBaun stated in an email. "Consistent with local requirements, members and guests must wear a mask while navigating all areas within the club and while exercising (exceptions include eating, swimming and showering). Life Time remains committed to engaging in an interactive process with members who need an accommodation due to a medical condition, whether it’s through a mask alternative like a face shield, or through our outdoor workout options where masking isn’t required."
Employees will conduct touchless temperature checks for everyone entering the facility.
Capacity limitations are in place and some equipment will be spaced or marked for social distancing. In addition, the child center and Kids Academy are open, though reservations are required to help children practice social distancing.
Saunas are open. However, per government guidelines, steam rooms and whirlpools are closed until further guidance.
While reservations to enter the gym are not required, people must reserve a time for studio, yoga or cycle classes via the website or app. Both indoor and outdoor classes are available.
Members are also advised to limit their visit to only those on their membership. No guests are currently allowed.
Unlike EoS, Life Time basketball courts are open, though game play is not allowed.
The reopening of Mountainside Fitness comes after weeks of court battles between the company and state officials. Locations in the Valley are open as of 4:30 a.m. today. The company has 18 locations around the Valley and is headquartered in Scottsdale.
Members and employees are required to wear face coverings within the facilities. Everyone will also have their temperatures checked upon entering.
Check-in will be touchless. Classes will be at reduced capacity with a 45-minute format.
A reservation system will be available to allow members to book and confirm workouts up to 24 hours in advance using the mobile app. Members still have the option to walk-in or call staff to use the facility.
Children over the age of 2 should wear face coverings unless for medical reasons or concerns. A spokeswoman for Mountainside did not say if medical reasons or concerns for adult members would allow them to use the gym without a mask, but the company's online waiver implies that members are agreeing to wear masks while in the gym.
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