OHIO — On New Years Day, some folks were already in the gym, working hard to meet their fitness goals.

Jay Patterson is starting New Years Day with an hour on the elliptical. 

“I think it’s great anytime you can commit to making you feel better about yourself,” Patterson said. “If getting some weight off is the way you do that and start a better trend, then all for it.” 

He’s not the only one. Aschli Kurzhals is also being productive by getting in a long run.

“Hey, let’s get back on track,” Kurzhals said. “So, I’m trying to train again for another race, and it’s cold outside, so I came for where there’s a treadmill.”
 
Planet Fitness Midwest VP of operations Joshua Gass said the club is expecting to see a lot of new members this week, with a big wave coming this Monday.

“I think we’re gonna see more of a normalcy in 2021,” Gass said. “Everyone just wants to come back in a shed those, whatever they may have gotten by sitting at home. We’re expecting 2021 to be a better year than 2020.” 

He said Planet Fitness is following all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines across all 42 locations in the Midwest, where "social-fitnessin" and mask-wearing is recommended.  

“While actively exercising you don’t have to wear your mask, but otherwise, we like to keep everyone safe,” Gass said. “Our staff members wear masks all the time, and again, we sanitize all hot spots. Any kind of touch point in the gym we sanitize all day.” 

Many of the gym's members Spectrum News talked to said they do feel safe and comfortable working out during the pandemic. 

“I like to think that I am doing what I can, you know, washing my hands, sanitizing, keeping a distance, wearing the mask, and protecting myself best I can and others,” Kurzhals said. “So I feel OK, I do. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t stay. I would leave and return when the crowd meter shows less people.” 

Patterson offers his advice for those on the fence about heading back to the gym.  

“Absolutely do it,” he said. “There’s nothing to worry about.”