Fitness Fans Protest Continued Closure Of Florida Gyms

CLEARWATER, FL — Juan Garcia has sanitized all his workout equipment, modified class schedules and trained staff on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coronavirus guidelines.

He said he's ready to welcome members back to his gym, Clearwater Beach Fitness at 795 Bayway Blvd. The problem is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hasn't given the go-ahead to reopen gyms and hasn't given any indication as to when members will be able to return to their workouts.

The owners of Florida's 6,777 gyms, exercise studios, and health and fitness clubs say they're in limbo while exercise enthusiasts watch their paid gym memberships go unused.

Frustration prompted a demonstration more than 20 fitness fans outside the Pinellas County Courthouse in Clearwater Monday demanding that Florida reopen gym and fitness studios.

Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Phase One of DeSantis' reopening plan took effect last week, allowing restaurants to open at limited capacities and hospitals to resume elective surgeries. However, under DeSantis’ three-pronged plan, gyms fall under Phase Two, and DeSantis hasn't said when Phase Two will begin.

Under Phase Two, gyms and other exercise studios will be limited to operating at 75 percent capacity and adhere to strict social distancing and sanitation protocols.

Gym owners say they're ready to open under these restrictions. They'd just like DeSantis to give them a timeline.

"The gym is spotless and sanitized, ready to reopen to all members," said Garcia, adding, "This gym has been and always will be clean no matter the circumstances life throws at us."

However, DeSantis said the launch of Phase Two of his “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step.” recovery plan depends entirely on the results of Phase One, which has been in place too short a time to provide an accurate analysis.

DeSantis said that analysis will be based on the percentage of coronavirus tests that come back positive during Phase One. So far, the results are looking good, he said Friday. The state reported about 361 new cases of coronavirus out of nearly 20,000 test results.

“So the percent positive for yesterday was 1.91 percent statewide,” he said. “That’s the lowest we’ve had probably since the epidemic began but certainly it’s the lowest we’ve had in the last six or seven weeks.”

Nevertheless, he emphasized a cautious approach to reopening.

“We’re being deliberate, we’re being methodical about this because we want to make sure we’re doing it the right way,” DeSantis said. “Just because you go to Phase One does not mean the disease is going away. It’s not going to just go away magically.”

Members of the Reopen Florida Task Force will look for signs like unexplained spikes in the number of positive cases as it ramps up testing across Florida, he said.

"Phase 2 will begin after the successful conclusion of Phase 1, which includes a downward
trajectory of the syndromic and epidemiology criteria while maintaining adequate health
care capacity," said the task force in its report on the reopening plan. "This will occur when there is no evidence of a rebound or resurgence of COVID-19 cases and satisfied the benchmarks outlined in this Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. plan."

Fitness experts point out that the reopening of gyms, yoga studios and fitness centers under the restrictions will result in healthier immune systems that are better prepared to fight off the virus.

"In times like these, studies have shown that high stress can weaken the immune system," said Simi Pothen, a yoga instructor at the UFC Gym in Clearwater. "The practice of yoga relaxes the nervous system and helps boost the immune system."

"I think it's important because gyms help people," said Tina Ballentine, a member of UFC Gym. "Yes, I'm aware that we can work out without a gym, but for people with depression, a gym can be a safe place. When you feel down on yourself, it's easier to go to a building and get motivated by staff then to try to self motivate. It gets you out of the house and gives you a place to go when you feel like there's no place for you."

Regardless of when DeSantis gives the OK to reopen gyms, Garcia said he hopes this crisis has given people a new perspective on life.

"I hope this situation we all are in is eye-opening to all of us, to know how fragile life can be," he said. "Stay active, eat healthy, respect one another, help the helpless."

Related stories:

• Pinellas Barbershops, Salons Bank On Recouping Coronavirus Losses
• Vacation Rental Property Owners Sue State For Coronavirus Losses
• Florida Reopens 80 State Parks For Limited Recreation
• Residents Rally In Favor Of Rescinding Coronavirus Closures