Fitness Freaks Race In To Pump Iron As Gyms Reopen After Coronavirus

Fitness fanatics are finally back at the gym in NSW after three long months of struggling to work out using stairs and door frames at home.
Gyms and pilates, yoga and dance studios reopened across the state on Saturday for up to 20 people in a class and 100 people in an indoor venue.
Facilities were shut since March 23 when they first round of shutdowns was ordered in the early days of the pandemic in Australia.
But your workout won't be the same for months to come as gyms have to follow distancing and hygiene rules and cap numbers to one per four square metre.
Fitness fanatics are finally back at the gym in NSW after three long months of struggling to work out using stairs and door frames at home.

Pictured: Crossfit Coogee had at least 10 people working out early on Saturday morning
Gyms and pilates, yoga and dance studios reopened across the state on Saturday for up to 20 people in a class and 100 people in an indoor venue
A woman reintroduces herself to 40kg of weight as she gets in her first sets at Crossfit Coogee for three months
Crossfit Coogee owner Andrew Stowe said if the lockdown gone on for six months, his gym wouldn't have survived.
'I thought it was too much to shut everything down, I thought (the government) was a bit heavy handed,' he said.
'We just tried to survive as best as we could.'
About 10 people rushed back to train at the gym on Saturday morning, soon after the doors opened for the first time since it was ordered to close. 
Fitness enthusiast Emilio had only been a member of the gym for five weeks before the doors were shut and said he hoped being around other customers would keep him at it.
'I found it hard to be motivated watching videos, tried to find some workouts online but I didn't like them,' he said.
'It's good to be with other people, you feel like you're part of the community.' 
Lachlan had equipment at home despite coming to the gym for 15 months before lockdown, allowing him to train as normal.
'It was a bit hard to be motivated away from the gym but some of us guys got together.

It's really good to get back into it,' he said. 
Lachlan (pictured) had equipment at home despite coming to the gym for 15 months before lockdown, allowing him to train as normal, but was happy to be back among other fitness fanatics
Lachlan does a cardio session on a rowing machine between his weight work as he gets back to the gym on Saturday
Stripping off his shirt, Lachlan completed a toes to bar during his first session back 
The gym goer takes a breather during his first session back in three months - no one being in the shape they were in before
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Owner Mr Stowe said he was still paying staff and rent and was eventually forced to cut membership fees from $74 to $34.
Only 80 of his 120 members remained but 20 eager new recruits signed up as the reopening date approached and he hopes to regain the rest. 
'We gave people equipment and did Facebook live videos with them.

Most of the guys were working out in their basement or garage,' he said.
Mr Stowe said the no end date to lockdown was the biggest issue.
'You had anxiety because there was no end date. Just not knowing when we were coming back was the hardest thing.'
Although the gym's rent was reduced, Mr Stowe said revenue dropped by 75 per cent and he was ecstatic when the reopen date was announced. 
'Psychologically, it gives you a purpose,' he said.
'Everyone was so excited to see each other and get out of the house because after three weeks working out at home, the motivation drops off.'
 Coogee Crossfit members get some cardio in on rowing machines they haven't seen in three months
A woman performs a pull up at the Gym on Bream Street, in Coogee, during her first session back after COVID-19 lockdown
About 10 people were training at the gym on Saturday morning, soon after the doors opened for the first time since it was ordered to close
Your workout won't be the same for months to come as gyms have to follow distancing and hygiene rules and cap numbers to one per four square metre
Coogee Crossfit goes to extreme lengths to avoid members getting chalk all over the floor
Mr Stowe said he wasn't worried about a 'second wave' of coronavirus and said it was just 'fear mongering'.
Gymgoers are used to wiping down equipment after they use it and frequently washing their hands, but are now using anti-bacterial wipes for added protection.
No one was wearing gloves or a face mask, neither of which are required, but bottles of hand sanitiser were everywhere.  
The number of people in a facility, including staff, must not exceed one person per four square metres.

Due to this rule, smaller venues will only be able to host a limited number of members.
Owners are encouraged to move or block access to equipment to allow 1.5 metres of physical distance between members.
'Where practical, stagger the use of communal facilities.
Strongly encourage visitors to shower/change at home where possible,' the NSW COVID-19 Safety Plan for gyms reads. 
'Reduce crowding wherever possible and promote physical distancing with markers on the floor, including where people are asked to queue.'
Bondi Gym, which is just streets away from Bondi Junction's Westfield, is taking these guidelines very seriously with a strict set of rules members must follow
Hand sanitiser is compulsory on arrival and everyone checks in with their membership card so the gym knows who was there at what time in case someone later tests positive
Members are encouraged to book into a time slot to access the facility or enjoy a workout class, and some gyms are enforcing one-hour limits.
Bondi Gym, which is just streets away from Bondi Junction's Westfield, is taking these guidelines very seriously with a strict set of rules members must follow.
Owner Michael Parker said one of his members tested positive to coronavirus just four days after the gym was forced to shut, which he called 'lucky timing'.
'Hand sanitiser is compulsory on arrival and everyone checks in with their membership card so we know who was here at what time,' he said.
'Everyone must use a towel and spray down machines and equipment after each use.

Every second machine is out to ensure social distancing.'
A woman is able to use a weight bench as a step-up after three months of making do with stairs or a chair at home
Every member must use a towel and spray down machines and equipment after each use.

Every second machine is out to ensure social distancing
Those of the gym's 400 members turning up on the first day were happy to see their former workout partners, ignoring social distancing rules for hugs, handshakes and high-fives.  
'I was supportive of the government's decision. I knew we would always be able to reopen, incitasecurity.com and our members would come back,' Mr Parker said.
'The JobKeeper payments made a huge difference in terms of us keeping our staff.

The government were the ones who shut us down so they can pay for it.
'I don't worry about (another outbreak) because people are super conscious of hygiene.' 
NSW was stubbornly the last state to announce the reopening of gyms, but at least threw open the doors before notoriously overcautious Victoria.
Gyms are already back in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, ACT, and the Northern Territory and will open in Victoria on June 22. 


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