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How gyms and fitness centres are preparing for Phase 2 of reopening

Rows of dumbbells in the gym with hign contrast and monochrome color tone
(PHOTO: Getty Images)

SINGAPORE – Most countries in Asia have responded to the pandemic with lockdown rules, and due to the measures, the number of cases has gradually gone down.

As Singapore prepares for Phase 2 of reopening this 19 June, the government has shared that sports, parks, and other public facilities including playgrounds, beaches, swimming complexes, sport halls, gyms, fitness studios, function rooms, and similar facilities in private condominiums and clubs can open.

As most of us have been waiting for gyms to reopen since forever (like me), there are some concerns on members’ minds as to whether proper sanitisation and cleaning measures will be put in place.

Some centres have even begun to limit the number of members in a class and will continue to offer online classes behind paywall apps.

(PHOTO: Ritual Gym)
(PHOTO: Ritual Gym)

Brad Robinson, CEO of Ritual Gym Singapore shares with Yahoo Lifestyle SEA that their business model has been as hygienic and ‘socially distanced’ as a gym could be.

“As a matter of fact, because of our design, we were one of the last gyms to remain open prior to the circuit breaker,” he added.

In Ritual Gym, it is interesting to note that members do not share equipment, and the entire workout is done in a ‘pod’, which is over four square meters in size and thoroughly cleaned in between every session.

“We’ve made some tech and process changes so that check-ins are contactless, and there’s now digital health declaration that’s required,” Robinson added.

For members who are still iffy about working out in public, there is a Ritual Anywhere app that operates behind a paywall, where members can get a full workout at home, even if they don’t have the equipment.

(PHOTO: Exhale healing space)
(PHOTO: Exhale healing space)

At Exhale healing space, a yoga and meditation centre, co-founder Tan Ming Li is excited about welcoming people back: “In line with our ethos, which is to continue to offer a safe space for all, we will cover physical requirements – like strict hygiene practices – and also psychological comfort, and allow for flexible options to support our community in navigating the new normal.”

Tan says the centre will now limit the number of people in the space, including the teacher, down to five. All members will still be required to perform safety measures such as the Safe Entry check-ins, and washing hands as they enter. The frequency of cleaning at Exhale will be increased.

In private one-to-one therapy sessions, masks are worn by the teachers during the session due to closer contact.

“We’ll keep the windows open during classes with fans for circulation (weather permitting), stop usage of shared towels and cups, and encourage students to bring their own yoga mat towels,” Tan shared.

The Exhale healing space will continue to offer classes online to those who aren’t able to attend in person or prefer to stay in the comfort and safety of their homes. Tan notes. “We also realised that going online allows us to offer classes to reach a wider audience, for example, by offering donation-based yoga classes to raise funds for charities like TWC2 and Willing Hearts.”

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