Here’s how local Charlotte gyms are keeping visitors safe during omicron
As the number of reported COVID-19 cases in Mecklenburg County continues to grow, gyms in the area say they’re aiming to protect their clients from the threat of the omicron variant.
Planet Fitness, a chain that operates nine gyms in the Charlotte area, recently became the first fitness brand to be awarded with the WELL Health-Safety Rating for their protocols supporting the health and safety needs of employees and members.
“What we’re seeing at our locations is really a resurgence of people that are coming back to the gym,” said Scott Breault, the vice president of marketing for Sunshine Fitness, a franchisee of Planet Fitness, noting that check-ins at one location for the first Monday of 2022 was 90% higher than a year ago. “We’re almost doubling the number of people that are coming into the clubs, so we’re obviously pleased with those numbers.”
Breault attributed the revival of fitness centers to a combination of safety in gyms, and the desire to stay active.
“The pandemic has been restrictive for so many people,” said Breault. “I think people are ready to get back and improve their wellness and their mental health, and there’s plenty of studies out there that show the positive effect exercise on a regular basis has on mental wellness.”
Keeping members safe
Planet Fitness is enforcing local guidelines, Breault said, including the mask mandate in Mecklenburg County, social distancing and cleaning protocols.
“Every employee is assigned a certain part of the club to make sure it’s clean and sanitized,” said Breault. “They do 20-minute walkthroughs to ensure the club is clean, and that there are plenty of cleaning supplies for members to use.”
Since the typical Planet Fitness location in the Charlotte area has around 90 pieces of cardio equipment, there is plenty of room to spread out, so members do not come into close contact with each other, Breault said.
Members can also use the crowd meter tool on the Planet Fitness app to track the number of people inside a facility at any given time.
Here’s a look at what other fitness centers in the area are doing to curb the spread of COVID-19.
YMCA of Greater Charlotte
In accordance with Mecklenburg County policy, all members visiting a YMCA branch within the county are required to wear a mask while indoors. Face coverings are also required in childcare areas or for indoor youth programming. Masks are not required for outdoor youth groups.
The YMCA has also expanded its offerings to include indoor fitness and group exercise, along with outdoor group exercise classes.
In addition to masks, the YMCA has implemented stringent cleaning protocols, created stations for hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes, and focused on “no touch” or “low touch” interactions, according to their website.
Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness is enforcing strict capacity limits at their franchises across the country, according to their website, last updated in 2020.
The fitness chain is also adhering to social distancing guidelines, and providing medical-grade cleaning products and hand sanitizers throughout its facilities. Gyms are also being cleaned a minimum of every two hours.
Life Time
In what they refer to as a “commitment to cleaning,” Life Time details a comprehensive approach to the pandemic, which includes deep cleans of high touch surfaces, self-cleaning stations for equipment, and the addition of more outdoor classes to allow for social distancing.
To enhance ventilation, the chain has also increased air circulation in their HVAC systems, “bringing more outside air to help improve overall indoor air quality even further,” their website explains.
Fitness Connection
Masks are required at all Charlotte-area Fitness Connection locations, and for adults at all locations when inside an area designated for kids, according to its website. Cleaning protocols have also been implemented.
This story was originally published January 7, 2022 at 5:06 PM.