Gym reopening brings cheer to health enthusiasts, fitness industry

AMMAN — The government’s decision to reopen gyms has brought relief to business owners, coaches and fitness enthusiasts.

Gym managements stressed the determination to take all necessary measures to protect their members, noting that equipment and machines will be sanitised frequently in addition to ensuring a two-metre distance between each gym-goer.

“Each member must bring their own matt and towel,” a gym employee, who preferred not to be named, told The Jordan Times. 

The employee also noted that members are not allowed to stay for more than an hour-and-a-half at the fitness centre to prevent crowding.

“The members themselves will be disinfected as they go through sanitising gates,” Fadi Karadsheh, marketing director at a gym, told The Jordan Times. 

Karadsheh said that his fitness centre had installed new cameras “to detect body temperature”, adding that workout time has also been reduced to keep members safe. 

For Nancy Malkosh, a kickboxing trainer, the reopening of fitness centres is welcome news as the move restored her source of income.

“As a kickboxing trainer and someone who works out regularly, reopening the gyms was a necessity, albeit it was a late decision. Since it is my source of living, the closure of gyms and having no income was definitely hard,” she told The Jordan Times. 

“It is good to see life at the gym again, people working out and boosting their health and immunity, exercise is a lifestyle and is essential,” she added.

Dana Audalla, who works at a private company and describes herself as “a gym addict”, told The Jordan Times that she is “thrilled” to return to the gym.

“When you get to exercise, you are enhancing your mental status as well as your fitness level. This way, you get to accomplish more at work and you are able to focus on the real deal. It is a breather to me,” she said.

“Fitness centres have already done their best with regard to COVID-19 measures, now, clients must respect that and follow the rules. We all share the responsibility,” she added.