gyms

Planet Fitness to require members to wear face masks while working out in gyms

By Diana J. Smith 1 week ago

One of the largest gym chains in the United States will soon require members to wear face masks.

The decision by Planet Fitness will go into effect Aug. 1 at its 1,450 locations that are open in the U.S., Canada and Australia.

Planet Fitness chief executive Chris Rondeau said in a statement gyms are part of the solution in the global coronavirus crisis.

“Given our leadership position within the industry, we believe it’s our responsibility to further protect our members, employees, and communities so that we can all safely focus on our health, which is more important now than ever before,” Rondeau stated.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged Americans to wear face coverings in public settings to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Many major retailers, including Walmart, Target and Kohl’s now require customers to wear face masks, McClatchy News reported.

Planet Fitness says it

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New Life For Gyms, Fitness Facilities Outdoors In East Hampton

By Diana J. Smith 3 weeks ago

EAST HAMPTON, NY — Gym owners struggling during the coronavirus crisis in in East Hampton may soon get a much-needed boost from town officials.

Established East Hampton fitness and exercise studios, which have been financially affected by the shutdown during the pandemic, will see hope on the horizon with the adoption Friday of a temporary provision allowing them to hold outdoor exercise classes on a separate commercial property, with the property owner’s permission, a release from East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said.

The town code as written restricts the use of outdoor areas on commercial properties.

An executive order signed Friday by Van Scoyoc includes a measure that will temporarily relax a portion of the town code to allow fitness businesses to apply for a permit to hold offsite outdoor classes, provided social distancing, group size restrictions, and rules regarding face masks are followed.

The permit application can

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