GB3 gyms in Fresno, Clovis reopen today with new safety measures in place
The largest gym in the Valley will be exercising plenty of safety precautions.
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- It's time to dust off your workout clothes and lace up your shoes because fitness centers across the state are looking forward to finally reopening their doors to members Friday.
And the largest gym in the Valley will be exercising plenty of safety precautions.
Days after California Gov. Gavin Newsom gave the green light, the GB3 George Brown Sports Club has announced it will start welcoming back members on June 12.
The Fresno County gym chain says all five of its locations, four in Fresno and one in Clovis, will open while enforcing new safety measures.
"It's almost business as usual at this point," says general manager Sean Clinton.
But members will still notice a few changes.
Returning members will be given a brief verbal screening during check-in.
During the first phase of reopening, only floor equipment, restrooms, and sinks can be used. Classes, daycare, and the pool, sauna, and steam room will not be operating during this phase.
GB3 is debuting a new app for members to have a touchless check-in.
"There's gonna be a new app that you can put on your phone that will have a barcode on it so now you can scan through the barcode on your phone," says Clinton.
The clubs are going a step further, requiring members to wash and sanitize their hands upon check-in.
But no reservations or appointments are required.
"So there'll be no lines or waiting to get into the gym with people being able to check-in quickly," says Clinton.
Members can unfreeze their membership in one of two ways: fill out a form in-person or go online before arriving.
The fitness company is hoping to make it a smooth process, welcoming back a large portion of its members.
"We're able to accommodate pretty much 89 to 90 percent of our members right now as they come," says Clinton.
GB3 is making modifications to some of its floorplans, putting more distance between some of the machines.
"We've changed around to space the equipment out to be a six to eight foot radius circle around each piece of equipment," says Clinton.
Members will also be required to sanitize each piece of equipment they use before and after each workout to help keep everyone burning calories safely.
The chain of gyms had to lay off most of its employees when the 'shelter in place' order forced them to temporarily shut down their locations and stop collecting membership fees.
For more news coverage on the coronavirus and COVID-19 go to ABC30.com/coronavirus
