#California gym reopens with individual pods to maintain social distancing

Using shower curtains and pipes, Inspire South Bay Fitness in Redondo Beach has installed nine pods to assign to members when they visit for workout classes, news station KTLA reported.

“It’s been really tough, we weren’t sure if we were gonna [be] able to reopen again,” owner Peet Sapsin told the outlet.

“But because now that we’ve come up with this solution, it’s a lot more affordable and, now, we can reopen back up a little more safer and healthier for our clients.”

Sapsin said the shower curtains were a cheaper alternative to plexiglass dividers, allowing them to construct six-feet wide pods — each of which has its own dumbbells and other equipment, the Independent reported.

Before breaking a sweat, members are also asked to sanitize their hands, have their temperature taken and sign a waiver, KTLA reported.

Sapsin said the gym will still host the classes on Zoom during the pandemic for people who feel more comfortable joining the group from home.

“We will also continue to host ZOOM classes until we have a vaccination,” he wrote on Instagram. “This effort is to accommodate our members who prefer to stay at home but still get a good workout if they are not ready to come back in person.”

The new gym set-up comes as some parts of the state have allowed fitness centers to reopen while maintaining social distancing measures.