North Shore Gyms Catch Capacity Break, But How Much Will It Help?

MARBLEHEAD, MA – While increased state capacity limits announced Thursday may give a boost to larger gyms and restaurants, boutique fitness centers and small dining options on the North Shore are putting more hopeful stock in the signal the eased restrictions may give to those hesitant to eat and work out indoors nearly a year into the coronavirus health crisis.

As long as social distancing protocols remain in place, however, many smaller and oddly shaped spaces only have room for limited capacity anyway as they look to fill the available seats and mats they have with people willing to utilize them.

Gov. Charlie Baker said during his Thursday news conference that "dramatically declining" coronavirus positive rates and hospitalizations allow the state to raise the capacity limit from 25 percent to 40 percent beginning Monday morning.

"We were at that stage anyway," said Tread Tabata, MHD owner Kelly Lorenz told Patch Thursday night. "His new lift doesn't really affect us, unfortunately. The way that our equipment is set up (we can only do about 25 percent capacity)."

A big change for a space like Tread Tabata would be loosening the guidelines on having those working out be 14 feet apart or wear masks during the workout, Lorenz said. Until then, she said the plan is to cater to her clients whether that be inside, remotely or with outdoor classes as the weather allows.

"We are making it work," Lorenz said. "Everyone who is interested in coming in has an option.

"I wouldn't want to pressure anybody. We are offering a very safe space. If they feel comfortable, great. And, if not, that's fine. No pressure. We will be here when they are ready."

Starting Monday, the capacity restrictions enacted on Dec. 26 — and extended twice — will be lifted for most offices, restaurants, gyms, fitness centers, libraries, museums, theaters and churches. But the 90-minute dining and six-person table limits remain, as well as the revised mask mandates for gyms that say that people must wear the masks during the workout.

"The data has gotten better. Because the data got better we are making some adjustments," Baker said. "These are very difficult decisions and very tough times for people involved in these businesses."

With vaccinations hopefully on the horizon, however, Lorenz said she gets the sense many people are holding out for that or significantly restriction reductions to get back out in the world.

"There are those who are comfortable coming inside and those who are not," she determined. "Those who are not are waiting for the vaccine. I don't think that's going to change."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)