Gyms adjusting safety protocols as New Year's resolution crowds begin

For some, this year is about losing the quarantine weight but many need to lose the fear of COVID-19 first.

Gyms aren’t as busy as they normally would be on New Year’s Day, but they're still having to adjust for some increased volume.

Many people are running into the New Year with a common goal, shedding the pandemic pounds. But 2021 looks different for gyms across the Triangle this year.

Classes at Orange Theory in Cary are much smaller than usual this New Year’s Day.

“This year was definitely much more challenging we were closed for a number of months and we have far fewer people per class," said Jacob Smith, a coach at the gym.

Working out in a mask isn’t ideal for gym goers, especially those who are just getting back into the workout scene.

“It’s tough," said Lindsey Gresock. "It’s very different than when I worked out in the past without a mask... To me it’s worth it at this time to work out and get back in shape.”

Other gyms like the YMCA are also seeing a decline in membership this year.

“It’s not as robust as it’s been in years past," Tony Campione, YMCA of the Triangle CXO said. "It’s been an incredibly hard challenge.”

One positive takeaway from this challenging year is that the YMCA reports out of the 1.2 million visits at 89 locations from September 4 through November 30, they’ve only had 57 positive cases.

That’s a positivity rate of just .0045 percent.

“2020 has been a year of adapting, learning and moving on the fly," Campione said. "Things have changed almost daily for us. The biggest learning we’ve had is to be in partnership one with our staff and our members to help them help us to ensure we have the safest environment possible.”

Research shows that the pandemic has altered the way people work out.

Instead of heading to the gym like Orange Theory or the YMCA, people are working out online and outdoors, but gym owners are holding out hope that things will get better and memberships will increase in due time.