Search Weight Loss Topics:

Home » Fitness » Gym-lovers flex their right to work out – Newsday

The line at Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym in Syosset snaked into the parking lot before 6 a.m., a legion of mask-wearing, muscle-bound members anticipating the moment theyve waited for since March. Inside, sanitation stations and temperature checks awaited.

But so did barbells, punching bags, treadmills and bench presses.

Monday marked the first day that gyms in most of New York State were allowed to reopen, and for many fitness-minded Long Islanders, it was a day of celebration, despite many restrictions that have changed the way people work out. In order to remain open, gyms must adhere to the 18-page list of guidelines released by the state Department of Health last weekthat included filtration systems, frequent sanitizing, widely spacedequipment, and mandatory mask wearing at all times. Gyms are also only being allowed to operate at 33 percent capacity. Local health department authorities are required to inspect gyms by Sept. 2 to ensure theyre adhering to guidelines, and inspections were to begin Monday.

Its been nerve-wracking, but the response has been overwhelming, so Im happy, said Steve Weinberger, president of Bev Francis, before showing a photo of the line outside his gym earlier that day. Being shut down for so long, he said, was very, very depressing. Its like your freedom has been taken away from you.

Like many gym operatorswho were able to open on Monday, Weinberger already had most of the needed precautions in place and just had jbeenwaiting on a date. By noon, Bev Francis had already reached capacity multiple times, with members being made to wait outside until it was safe to enter. He hired three extra workers to do temperature checks and sign in guests, and has someone on site sanitizing 24 hours a day (the gym is generally open from 4 a.m. to midnight).

Similar readiness was seenat CrossFit Impervious, in Riverhead, where owner Terri DeFilippis said theyve long been prepared for this moment. And when the doors opened, the people came.

Everybody was very excited to come back, said DeFilippis, who is also co-owner of Hampton Bays' CrossFit Warrior Legion, which opened Monday as well. And a lot of my athletes and this is what made me sad to be closed theyre overweight or they have cholesterol issues or diabetes. Its not all of them, but we have some special-needs people, and it was very hard to turn your back on them. Not being able to help them was very, very hard.

The latest LI business news in your inbox Monday through Friday.

By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy.

Her CrossFit gym, she said, "is like a family."

Monday was definitely a little odd [with the] gym closed for so long and then to see people coming through, said Nick Orlando, co-owner of Golds Gym in East Northport. But its been great to see faces and get everybody back into a routine. And were hearing positive feedback from people about what a great job weve done and that all our hard work has paid off, and how they feel great exercising again, so its very rewarding.

Orlando said some clients have frozen their accounts, but he expects many to return as people get more comfortable with the idea of working out in a gym. DeFilippis said about 60 percent of her clientele was ready to go, and though shes still waiting to hear back from 40 percent of her members, shes not too concerned they wont come back. Weinberger said that, so far, no one has canceled a membership because of COVID-19 concerns.

That doesnt mean financial concerns have disappeared, Weinberger said. Operating at one-third capacity while paying more to maintain the gym and staff it will take its toll. DeFilippis said itll take a long time to dig out of the hole created by the pandemic. I dont want to say its horrible, but theyre making it hard to stay in business, Weinberger said. I dont know whyits a third [capacity]? Why couldnt they give us half?

Either way, Weinberger was determined to live up to the guidelines. Machines were marked off with signs, gym goers werent allowed to cluster, and everyone was wearing a mask even on the cardio machines.

Im so glad to be back, said Joe Palumbo, a retired NYPD police officer, former SWAT team member and retired professional bodybuilder whos been coming to Bev Francisfor over three decades. When it was closed, everybody was lost. Im happy to be back and I keep saying it, because I am. You cant tell underneath this mask, but Im smiling.

Laura Albanese is a general assignment sports reporter; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.

Read the original:
Gym-lovers flex their right to work out - Newsday

Your Full Name
Your Email
Your Phone Number
Select your age (30+ only)	30313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120
Select Your US State	Select Your StateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington,DCWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Program Choice	Select Your ProgramInjectable HGHInjectable TestoteroneInjectable SermorelinInjectable Weight LossInjectable HCG DietInjectable Vitamins
Confirm over 30 years old	Yes
Confirm that you resident in USA	Yes
This is a Serious Inquiry	Yes
Message:

Home » Fitness » Gym-lovers flex their right to work out – Newsday