Florida gyms ready for reopening under pandemic guidelines

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida is entering Its next wave of reopening changes Monday.

Gov. DeSantis announced Friday a plan that allowed restaurants and retailers to reopen at 50 percent capacity.

The big news from the governor’s Friday briefing was that gyms and fitness centers would also be allowed to reopen.

Read: ‘Full Phase 1’ reopening begins: What’s opening, what’s staying closed

Gym staff will be santizing workout areas around the clock to fit new safety protocols.

Gyms will also be encouraging members to disinfect equipment before and after use.

Channel 9 checked a few local fitness centers and some gyms will require members to wear a mask and make an appointment before arriving while others will not.

Read: Florida barbers, salon stylists reopen for first time in nearly two months

Gyms are expected to be operating under strict capacity limits.

After being closed for nearly two months, Kaci Line, who owns Mighty Girls Fitness in Baldwin Park, said she’s ready to get back to business.

“We’ve been hurting,” Line said. “We’re a brand new business. We opened this year, and fitness business takes a lot of time to come out of the hole. We weren’t out of our hole yet and then we just got put back in.”

Read: Authorities break up block party involving thousands in Volusia County, Sheriff’s Office says

Line said she’s continued outdoor classes with social distancing and nine or fewer people to keep the business afloat.

But Line said Monday will serve as almost a second grand opening. This time, with new social distancing policies in place.

© 2020 Cox Media Group