SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Everyone and everything has felt the sting of the coronavirus pandemic.
Businesses from restaurants and movie theaters even schools have had to shutter their doors to help prevent the spread of the virus. Now, gyms are stepping up to protect its members, too.
Here is how a few local gyms have responded to the pandemic:
Although all physical locations of 24 Hour Fitness are temporarily closed, there are other options for members. The 24GO app has 1,500 workouts available, with options available for free that previously were paid experiences.
Members can also avoid grocery stores and order meals via Trifecta at a discount. And last, through a partnership with Future, members can access one month of one-on-one remote video training at a discount.
If your membership was set to expire during the closure, the membership will be extended for the same duration clubs were closed.
Effective April 16, 24 Hour Fitness suspended membership billing until the clubs reopen in customers' areas. If you already paid for time when the gym was unavailable, those days will be added to the end of the membership contract.
The fitness center that brands itself as the "No Lunk Zone" is bringing the gym to you. Planet Fitness is uploading workouts on its Facebook and YouTube page to help people stuck at home stay healthy.
While Planet Fitness gyms have closed, membership billing has been frozen. Customers should not be charged during the closures. If you have been charged Planet Fitness will adjust your next billing cycle
As of April 7, Anytime Fitness clubs in the United States and Canada have temporarily closed. While clubs are closed, memberships have been frozen, meaning no customer should be charged during the coronavirus crisis.
"Due to differences in the dates of government-mandated gym closures, the timing of implementation of billing freezes will vary." reads a statement on the Anytime Fitness website. "However, if your member account has not yet been frozen it is likely that it will be in the next several days."
Local clubs will contact members when owners decide to reopen.
Based on directives from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, California Family Fitness has closed all of its locations. No reopening date was announced.
In its press release announcing the temporary closures, California Family Fitness also noted that all memberships will be in a "frozen status until further notice."
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At the end of business on Tuesday, March 17, the Capital Athletic Club closed its doors. The gym hoped to reopen on Wednesday, April 1, but, "Due to the president's advice, the Club will be temporarily suspending services through 4/30/2020."
Membership dues for April will be waived, according to the club's website.
Members should watch the club's social media pages for tips on how to exercise from home.
"We look forward to possibly opening May 1st and welcoming you back into the Club."
As of March 16, Gold's Gym has temporarily closed all of its locations. The fitness franchise hopes to reopen on April 1, 2020. Free digital fitness routines and exercises are being offered on its website.
"Our company-owned gyms are freezing membership dues at no cost until our local gyms are able to reopen." reads the Gold's Gym website. "Many of our locally-owned and operated franchise gyms are offering freeze options as well."
If you need help finding out the status of your account, email questions@goldsgym.com with your name, your gym name, your barcode number, and your preferred email address.
Contact your local YMCA for the latest information regarding closures and services. The YMCA of Superior California issued a statement saying, "all services other than child care" have been canceled.
To assist families impacted by coronavirus closing schools and other childcare services, the YMCA of Superior California also plans to transform its fitness centers into emergency child care sites.
While other clubs have put an automatic freeze on membership dues, YMCA members will need to contact their location to put their account on hold. However, the YMCA asks members to consider continuing to pay as those fees will be considered a donation to the Y.
"Your YMCA family is committed to being there for you, your neighbors, and our community. We ask that you join us in the efforts and support the Y through your continued payments so that we may employ our team members to continue these life-changing, and life-saving, services."
All workouts have been suspended until further notice.
As of March 16, membership dues were suspended.
"If you are a member of a corporate-owned studio or a franchise studio that has closed, your membership dues will be suspended immediately," reads the Orangetheory website. "This will happen automatically; you do not need to contact the studio."
With locations in Folsom and Roseville, those who utilize Life Time will have to look elsewhere for their workout regimen. On its website, Life Time says reopening, "is dependent upon governmental guidance." Members will receive a prorated dues credit for the number of days the gyms are closed in March.
Membership dues will not be charged until the club re-opens. When the club does reopen, dues will be prorated for the remainder of the month.
The cycling-centered classes have hit the brakes, closing the door to all of its studios on Monday, March 16.
Coronavirus background
According to the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a family of viruses that is spreadable from person to person. Coronavirus is believed to have been first detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China in December 2019. If someone is sick with coronavirus, the symptoms they may show include mild to severe respiratory illness, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Currently, there is no vaccine, however, the CDC suggests the following precautions, along with any other respiratory illness:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
The CDC also says facemasks should only be used by people who show symptoms of the virus. If you’re not sick, you do not have to wear a facemask. The CDC says the immediate risk to the U.S. public is low.
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