Detroit City Wire

The patience of fitness club owners and enthusiasts throughout the state of Michigan has finally been rewarded as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order allowing gyms to open at 25% occupancy beginning Sept. 9.

Alyssa Tushman, Michigan Fitness Club Association vice chair and owner of Burn Fitness, addressed the issue and what to expect moving forward on "The Frank Beckmann Show." She described the industry as one that is up for the challenge.

“We are obviously having a much better day, living a much better life,” Tushman said on the radio show. “So happy for everybody in our industry, and mostly so happy for everyone that can come and get healthy, because I think I told Guy on the show the other day, activity is down 48%, which is good for no one. We got into this because we care about people and we just want Michiganders to get healthy, and that is our main goal.”

One of the keys to bringing people back is convincing them that fitness clubs are a safe environment in which to exercise. There is research and science aiding the state’s decision, as Michigan is the last in the nation to reopen fitness clubs. However, Tushman acknowledges there is plenty to be learned.

“So we are going to be required to have masks on everyone the entire time they are working out,” Tushman said on the show. “The workouts might look a little different; I can’t see people running on a treadmill for an hour with a mask. I don’t know how that is going to work. This is new for everyone. As far as the safety precautions, we aren’t reinventing the wheel. We are the 50th state to reopen, so we know the virus is not spreading in gyms... We do want to reiterate the safety of coming in with the distancing protocols and the cleaning protocols. We're safe. Come in and get healthy.”

Any new business will be welcome as the fitness clubs recover from the economic toll they have taken. Employees have been staying home, memberships have expired and no income has been generated to pay rent. While opening at 25% occupancy is welcome, it will still be a long road back for Michigan's gym and fitness clubs.

“You never know until there is an executive order, and then you know you are going to be open,” Tushman told Beckmann. “So we are looking forward now, and we're happy we are. And the truth is, it's going to be an uphill battle from here. We have been closed for six months. That is going to be really challenging for us with back rent and a lot of members who have canceled, who really are still scared to come in.”