GYM FIGHTING FIT

Gym junkies and owners were rejoicing after reopening their doors over the weekend.

As announced by the McGowan Government recently, phase three of eased restrictions came into effect on Saturday, allowing full-contact sports and training, while gyms were able to return to full operation after being limited to holding fitness classes for 20 people.

Indoor and outdoor venues with multiple, divided spaces may have up to 300 people in total, with 100 people in each area.

Life and Soul Karratha opened its full gym floor to patrons at 6am Saturday.

Owner Cindy Kempton said closure of gyms meant people had missed out on gaining the physical and mental health benefits of exercise.

“We’ve been desperate to get back open to allow our community to come in and train,” she said.

“All our 10 fitness businesses throughout the North West and Northern Territory have been closed for nearly 10 weeks now, so financially, it’s been incredibly difficult for the business.”

Ms Kempton said her clubs, which are also located in Hedland, Broome and Derby, had lost 100 per cent of their income over 10 weeks.

“From now until probably next financial year, we’re just going to focus on keeping our costs down, provide the best service we possibly can to our members and to train our way out of the financial debt that we have got ourselves into because of COVID,” she said.

“We’re positive that we will still be able to provide that service to the facility, and we’re positive our members will come back and train with us. We just have to maintain resilience and patience.”

Kempton said the fitness centres were following a strict COVID-19 health plan that members had to follow.

“That is very stringent cleaning of equipment after they have used it; we’re mopping and sanitising the floors regularly throughout the day,” she said.

“In all of our F45 programs, all the programs have time between each class, so all the staff and members can wash down the equipment.”

Life and Soul is open from 4am to 8pm until it can legally return to a 24/7 schedule.