Here’s how coronavirus is changing Beaufort County fitness centers as they reopen
Patrons returning to fitness centers this week likely will notice some key changes, among them more elbow room and less competition for popular equipment.
Gyms and fitness centers, along with other close-contact businesses such as barbershops and salons, were closed by an order from S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster on April 1 to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. They were allowed to reopen starting Monday.
Frank Soule, executive director of the Island Rec Center on Hilton Head, said social distancing in the age of COVID-19 will limit the number of members in the gym to 20 people at one time with only eight swimmers on the pool deck. Only those who are current fitness center members will be able to make a reservation to use the facility.
“We’re going to evaluate this on a daily basis,” he said.
The Island Rec Center has removed some gear, like the TRX system and some of the handheld equipment, and made more space to spread out the equipment that remains.
“We’re just trying to follow all the guidelines that have been put out there and keep it safe for the ... members but also for our staff,” Soule said.
The Wardle Family YMCA in Port Royal listed on its website extensive instructions that emphasize social distancing. The showers, the sauna, steam room and whirlpool will be off limits. It also is restricting pick-up basketball and pickleball games because of the risk of shared equipment.
Social distancing is also changing the workouts at CrossFit 843 in Bluffton.
Owner Martin Catalioto said he marked off 10-foot by 10-foot cells — no squares are touching each other — for his members.
“All of the equipment is going to be in your cell with a sanitizer, a disinfectant, and a towel for you and you alone,” he said.
He plans to offer the same number of classes as he did before the coronavirus pandemic, but he’s capped class sizes, created gaps between classes, and eliminated drop-ins and childcare for now. He said he’d rather err on the side of being too conservative with safety than being too lax.
Catalioto called the changes a “reset” for his business.
“This forced closure, unfortunately, has been bad for our business,” he said, “but on the upside, it’s going to make our business stronger and better than ever.”
