As phase three of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan begins Monday, residents in the Battlefords and across the province had the opportunity to return to their favourite fitness centres. (submitted photo/Lifetime Fitness)

By Martin Martinson

Back in business

Local gyms return to business with phase three of Re-Open Plan

Jun 8, 2020 | 3:28 PM

The province is entering its next reopening phase this week, which will include gyms and other fitness centres.

Owner of Lifetime Fitness, Brent Kauth, said his patrons are eager to return to his gym.

“People have been pretty happy we’re open and that they can get back to their normal routine,” he said. “It’s really good to see, because heading into this we didn’t know what the outcome would be and it’s just nice to see you’ve got your people coming in happy, and just glad to be able to do something.”

Among the biggest adjustments for Lifetime Fitness has been their change in hours. Regularly a 24-hour location, they had to cut back hours of operation due to an increase in staffing requirements.

“We used to have staff here just 12 hours a day and now we have to staff 18 hours a day, and those extra six hours makes a big difference,” Kauth said, adding he’d like to get back to offering around the clock service with additional staffing sooner rather than later.

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Outside of the personnel side of things, however, Kauth said not a whole lot has changed to daily operations, making for a pretty seamless transition through their first day of reopening.

He said because the hours are so wide-ranging, there are some busier parts of the day. Many come in on a drop-in basis rather making an advanced booking, he said.

“At like 5 a.m. this morning it was pretty busy, but then it just quiets down a bit, so it’s never so busy that we can’t be the two meters apart, which works out well,” he said.

Pipes Fitness will continue offering its online workout classes via Zoom in addition to reopening at its business location, offering clientele a choice for what suits them best. (submitted photo/Pipes Fitness)

Just down the road, Owner of Pipes Fitness, Miranda Wiese said despite some social distancing modifications, the reopening is progressing smoothly.

Wiese said by offering a space to workout, it’s helping people attain more than physical gains.

“I think it’s really important for the mental health aspect for people to be able to get out of their houses and be around other people even though it is socially distanced,” she said. “With a lot of workouts in our studio, you get that energy from other people and it’s not a competitive setting, but we encourage each other.”

Wiese said in addition to the reopening of the physical gym, Pipes will also continue to offer its virtual workout sessions via Zoom. She said offering both formats will allow people to choose what works best for them.

“I think it is important that as businesses, we remember that even though we’re allowed to reopen, not everyone health-wise might be able to [come out],” she said.

Weise also added as parents continue home schooling, it’s important to offer them an option in case they can’t leave the home.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1