Greater Victoria gyms and fitness centres reopen after month-long COVID-19 shutdown
After being closed for almost a month due a provincial health order aimed at preventing the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, gyms and fitness centres in Greater Victoria have reopened.
The owner of Langford’s CrossFit Lo Lo says the reopening of fitness facilities is important for the people who come to his gym to improve their physical health. With the gym closed since just before Christmas 2021, he says a large number of his clients felt disconnected and isolated from the community who train at his crossfit studio.
“Being around other people doing the same thing is the world to people,” said CrossFit Lo Lo owner Adam Davidson.
“People underestimate how important it is for people to feel that connection, for people to feel that they are doing something as a community even if it’s just for themselves.”
Davidson says his members were so eager to get back to fitness training they were lined up outside the door when staff opened the gym at 6 a.m. Thursday. He says he has also had a number of new clients sign up for membership with CrossFit Lo Lo since provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced on Jan. 18 that the health order that shuttered B.C. gyms would be lifted.
“They’ve been wanting to start CrossFit or some fitness journey for sometime and they’re super happy to be back,” said Davidson.
The decision to close fitness facilities in mid-December was considered controversial by those who work in the fitness industry. Many gym owners and staff said at the time of the closure announcement that continuing to help people stay healthy, both mentally and physically, is important almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many of the people who were working out at Davidson’s Langford studio Thursday were excited to be back.
“I think it feels better mentally than it does physically,” said CrossFit Lo Lo member Brad Styner.
“It’s so nice because you feel like you’ve been trapped inside your home for so long. It’s a godsend to be back and I’m thrilled.”
Meanwhile, in Saanich, the weight room at Commonwealth Place has also been very busy as people return to their fitness routines. Staff at the popular recreation centre say that as soon as appointments for 90-minute sessions were available, the facility reached Thursday’s capacity with more that 200 bookings.
“People couldn’t wait to get back in the gym because this is part of their daily routine, this is part of their lives,” said Saanich Recreation senior manager Tiana Solares.
“It’s the way they keep healthy, it’s where they see their friends and it’s where they have their social connections,” she said. “Its really critical that we’re open, even if it is under limited capacity so people can come back, make those connections and feel physically fit again.”
Though gyms are now open, there are also enhanced safety protocols in place to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant. The capacity at fitness facilities is limited to allow a minimum of seven square metres around each person exercising, and masks must be worn as people move around the space. Gym users must continue to meet vaccine passport requirements before entering a facility.
In an effort to meet provincial capacity guidelines, both Saanich Recreation and CrossFit Lo Lo are taking bookings for fitness sessions online.
“We’re doing the best that we can to make sure people still feel safe and that they are able to get their training in,” said Davidson. “It has such a huge impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.