Gyms and other indoor fitness facilities finally reopened across New South Wales on Saturday after being closed for three months.
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For some, the forced closure due to COVID-19 was a welcome excuse to skip leg day. Others such as Ed Price were ecstatic to be back.
And, the Tribe Functional Training Wollongong owner was happy to see all his clients were just as excited to get back into training after such a long period of inactivity.
"It feels fantastic to be back," Mr Price said.
"Obviously we've been shut for a few months now and our gym is such an important part of people's lives. It is not just for their physical health but their mental health as well.
"It is so good to see all of our members back with smiles on their faces, knowing we've been playing an important part in their wellbeing."
As the threat of the virus lingers, restrictions still apply for gym patrons.
Each facility is allowed one person per four square metres at a time, including staff.
Mr Price was happy to oblige with the new rules.
"There are also a number of new cleaning protocols in place. Everyone has access to and uses hand sanitiser when they come into the gym and we clean all the equipment on a regular basis, before, during and after class," he said.
"We also make sure our clients have their own equipment at all times."
Gyms have already reopened with restrictions in Queensland, the ACT, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Tasmanians will be able to sweat it out from Monday, and Victorians on June 22.
Hygiene will be essential in ensuring gyms are safe.
"The no towel, no train has always applied with us in any case," Mr Price said.
"I just feel the general public are looking forward to the future and they want to move on. It was a difficult time during the lockdown, esepcially early on.
"But we all made the big sacrifices early on and as a result Australia is in a good position and we can move on from this thing and look forward to a happier time ahead."
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
