By Mitchell Clarke
Gyms have officially been given the green light to reopen again, providing the first chance in months for gym junkies to get their long-awaited fix.
Fit n Firm director James Haupt wasted no time reopening the doors to his Berwick studio. He welcomed keen clients back from 4.30am on Monday 9 November.
A day prior, the State Government announced gyms could reopen to 20 people per venue, with a maximum group size of 10 per session.
The announcement has been a long time coming for the industry, who have been sidelined since the Stage 4 lockdown.
“None of it has been easy, but days like this, where we can welcome people back again, just make it all worth it,” Mr Haupt explained.
“It’s been really tough, and it’s not just the financial part, which I’m sure a lot of other businesses have experienced. One of the greatest parts of my job is the interaction with people, so to have that taken away has probably been as hard as the economic repercussions.”
The great Melbourne lockdown has left a pent up demand for exercise, with locals keen to shake off any unwanted “Covid kilos”.
“People have suffered throughout this lockdown and a lot of them have been really hard on themselves for not getting active or doing workouts throughout it,” Mr Haupt said.
“If it was easy to motivate yourself to train from home, there’d be no need for us to operate. That’s why we exist to be an outlet where people can get motivated. Exercising at home just doesn’t do it for some.”
Prior to Covid, Mr Haupt’s three studios could each house between 35 and 50 members at any given time, but that number has been reduced to a maximum of 20.
For operators, just being able to reopen has been welcomed, but some of the “strict restrictions” have been harder to swallow.
“One of the big restrictions that’s been fairly crippling for us is having to have a ‘Covid marshal’ on site at all hours,” Mr Haupt explained.
“It obviously means we have to reduce our hours fairly significantly, but by 23 November, we think there’ll be a fair bit of relief for us. Not having to have that marshal will be a massive win for us in terms of reducing the economic burden.”
Until then, Fit N Firm will operate from 5am to 9pm on weekdays and half days on weekends.
“I’ve had a long enough holiday, so it’s no stress going back and working long hours again, but ask me what it’s like after two weeks,” Mr Haupt laughed.
“For now though, it’s just good to finally be open again.”
The gym is currently offering $5 weekly memberships in a bid to make fitness more affordable and accessible.
To enquire about becoming a member: https://www.fitnfirm.com.au/.
