The famed Chelsea Piers fitness center on the west side of Manhattan is pushing to reopen soon and is warning of dire consequences for the fitness industry if restrictions continue.
Gyms across the state have been closed since March, and have not yet been given the go-ahead by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resume operations, a decision that has led some gyms to file a class action lawsuit against the state.
In an interview with NY1’s Roma Torre, Greta Wagner, senior vice president at Chelsea Piers New York and executive director of Chelsea Piers Connecticut, said the gym has been overhauled and is ready to safely accommodate visitors.
Wagner said the company's location in Connecticut has been open since mid-June.
“Our members are so happy to be back in the club,” she said. “We’re doing it in a really safe way, so it can be done.”
Wagner said measures they have taken in Connecticut include social distancing, mask use, sanitizing stations, and changing their air filtration systems to hospital grade filters. Chelsea Piers also has all guests make reservations to come into the club, so that contact tracing is possible if needed.
“Our business is keeping people safe and healthy and so we take it very seriously,” she said.
Wager said they have not had a positive case among guests or staff in Connecticut, with over 35,000 visits. She said fitness centers have been lumped in with movie theaters and entertainment venues, but that’s not where they belong.