Coronavirus restrictions: Gym owner relieved to avoid total shutdown

Andy Chapman, who runs a Crossfit gym on the outskirts of Limavady with his friend and business partner Michael Walsh, is having to curtail group fitness classes due to the new restrictions but expects to be able to “adapt” to the rules.

The rules announced by the Executive on Wednesday state that “gyms may remain open but for individual training only with local enforcement in place”.

Mr Chapman told the News Letter: “Obviously there’s disappointment but we’re in a much better situation than we were during the first lockdown because we don’t have to close.

“Of course we can’t run classes, and Crossfit is a class-based provision of fitness so we have to adapt. But what we’re doing is opening the doors and running it as a gym-based facility where individuals can stil come in and train.

“We’re not able to run group classes but there will still be a coach there throughout the day to help people with technique or other things.”

He added: “We’re not able to run the business the way we would like but it’s not the worst-case scenario.

“On top of that, I also run a Brazilian jiu jitsu club – a grappling club – we’ve had to stop that, which is unfortunate.

“The fear, I think for most people, is that while they’re talking about four weeks it seems like the chances of the numbers of cases and everything getting better in four weeks are pretty slim.

“The majority of people that I speak to are of the opinion that it’s either giong to get worse or stay the same going into winter time. So I worry about what’s going to happen next.

“It’s not an ideal situation right now but it’s not life-threatening for the business.

“If we get heavier restrictions then it will change things, depending on what support is available – and I don’t think there will be the same support there was seven months ago, I wouldn’t imagine.

“I’m conscious of the fact that there are others out there in a much worse situation than us, so I’d say it’s relief more than anything.”