Gyms in Spain Reopen for Individual Training but Only By Appointments and Changing Rooms Will Be Closed

Gyms across the nation are planning to reopen their doors from May 11, however, this will be under new limitations until at least June 8 when they can accommodate a third of capacity.

THE document prepared by Spain’s government which details the process for the gradual lifting of quarantine across four different phases has arisen some key questions for sports and fitness fanatics. Not only for the professional aspect of this industry but for non-professional athletes.

A vast majority of people who practise sports do so in gyms and these are generally closed areas which will not be allowed to reopen until May 11 which marks the beginning of phase 1.

However, this return of activity in gyms will be done under great limitations which will hardly constitute an effective return for these institutions. In the government’s guidance plan, it states that, initially gyms will be allowed to start operating by offering “individual sports activities by appointment, that do not involve physical contact or the use of changing rooms.”

Until Phase 2 is reached, a process which is evaluated by the Health Ministry and rests upon epidemiological data and the evolution of the coronavirus across different territories gyms will not be allowed to open unless they are taking advanced booking for training sessions.

This phase would allow them to open their doors and accommodate a capacity limit which will also have to include redesigning their facilities and their sports machines to adapt to the security measures which avoid physical contact and lower the risk of contagion. Of course, the government has recalled that “all premises and other establishments, as well as their equipment, must be periodically disinfected and sanitised.

The third phase set to begin around June 8, would allow gyms to open at a third of their capacity and with no changing rooms. Meanwhile the greatest trend seen in the sector is that these companies have tried to keep contact with customers online and distribute video content or gym sessions via videoconferences. Some gyms have also made their equipment available for rent so customers can work out at home.