NYC gyms set to reopen Sept. 2. Will you be going back?

A woman works on her lats at a gym in India. Gyms will reopen in New York City starting Sept. 2. Do you plan to go back? Let us know. AP Photo/Anupam Nath

By David Brand

Starting Sept. 2, New Yorkers will have one less excuse not to exercise. New York City gyms are reopening for indoor workouts.

Elsewhere in the state, gyms welcomed customers back on Monday. 

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the decision to reopen gyms during an appearance on WNYC Friday.

“We are certainly going to take a pretty strict stance in the name of preserving our low level of infection we have now in New York City. But yeah, gyms will start to open on September 2 and for people who are members there will be more and more activity happening,” de Blasio said.

Under state rules, gyms must operate at no more than 33 percent capacity and space out equipment. Patrons must pass a COVID screening questionnaire, wear a mask and maintain six feet of distance during their workouts.

Queens clubs have begun preparing for gymgoers to return over the past few weeks. Blink, for example, has promoted a “Blink Promise,” a pledge to train staff on proper sanitizing protocols and deep-clean each of its eight Queens facilities.

The YMCA of New York City has provided outdoor workout classes and plans to reopen for indoor activities on Sept. 8.  

Will you return to the gym next month? Let us know by emailing managing editor David Brand at david@queenspublicmedia.com.