Would you exercise in a ‘pod’? California gym finds way to social distance, video shows
A California gym has reopened with a new way to help protect clients from the coronavirus.
Inspire South Bay Fitness in Redondo Beach created “pods” where people can keep their distance while working out, according to an Instagram post from owner Peet Sapsin.
To section off exercise areas, the gym hung shower curtains from PVC pipe frames, a YouTube video from Saturday shows.
“We built these dividers behind me right here to help give you guys a layer of protection,” Sapsin said in the video.
Each of the nine sections stands about 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide, the Daily Breeze reported.
Inside, exercisers will find sanitizing wipes and a place to put their face masks and other belongings, according to the gym’s video. But be gentle with the workout equipment in the pods, Sapsin warns.
“When you’re done using them, please don’t drop them on the ground because it does bounce and it may break our dividers,” he said in the video. “So, please be careful when you put the dumbbells down.”
The fitness center, which is roughly 20 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles, reopened Monday after being closed since mid-March.
Los Angeles County earlier this month announced that it would lift coronavirus-related restrictions on gyms and other businesses. The state has issued guidelines for gyms that include social distancing considerations to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Sapsin isn’t the first owner to reveal a strategy for his reopened business.
Across the country, restaurants have used shower curtains to divide diners and blow-up dolls to fill seats, McClatchy News reported.
This story was originally published June 16, 2020 at 10:36 AM with the headline "Would you exercise in a ‘pod’? California gym finds way to social distance, video shows."
