Gyms gear up for group fitness classes to expand

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown fitness routines off for many, as gyms closed and then reopened with restrictions.

However, a step towards normalcy is coming soon.

The first phase of Saskatchewan’s Re-Opening Roadmap kicks off on May 30. Once that date arrives, the capacity will expand for group fitness classes like spin and aerobics to as many people is possible to keep three metres of distance.

They have plenty of that kind of space at Adrenaline Strength and Conditioning in Regina.

Jill Hanson, a trainer in charge of group fitness classes at the gym, can’t wait for the days to go by.

“I’m excited. I’m a little bit anxious to see what’s going to happen … but if anything, (I’m) just really hopeful that this is a step in the right direction for us to get back to a new sense of normalcy,” she said.

Her gym has both indoor and outdoor space for group workouts. She thinks there’s enough space for about 16 people at a time to properly distance. Before the pandemic hit, the gym would average about 12 to 20 people in any given class.

“I’m confident that we’ll slowly see, as class sizes start to expand, that we’ll see not only old faces, but new faces come back out,” she continued.

Hanson believes fitness is a very important aspect of health, but she also thinks group classes have a few extra benefits, especially in these coronavirus times.

“Group fitness gives people a sense of belonging. It is a place where you go and you feel that camaraderie or that community. It becomes more than just going for a workout. You look forward to that socialization, just that regular human contact and that sense of family,” she explained.

“Those 15 people were once a fitness family and we weren’t able to accommodate that … So it’ll be great for people to get back into their classes and see each other again.”

And while the past year has been difficult on everyone, Hanson believes there are at least a few silver linings.

“I think too, because of this pandemic, people (are) realizing just how important it is to stay physically strong, to keep our mindset strong and how much being active plays a role in that,” she said. “You’ll see people that maybe didn’t take their health seriously before are now realizing the importance of it.

“You don’t realize how important something is until it has been taken away from you.”