(file photo/ CHAT News Today)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Local fitness studios trying to stay open amid COVID-19

Mar 16, 2020 | 6:35 PM

Medicine Hat AB.- Here at Heartbreaker Dance and Fitness, it’s a dance party. But before these young kids could step to the beat they had to stop in the name of precaution.

A mannequin dressed in the studio’s attire stands in front of the door, urging all entrants to sanitize before and after class.

All jokes aside, it’s just one way Marla Howard is creatively trying to keep her studio virus free.

” I just wanted to make sure that members knew and really reinforce that especially at this time that they need to be always using that sanitizer station. So she’s just a reminder. She’s my voice when I’m not here,” said Howard.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

16h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

But she’s not alone in her push to keep her facilities free from any viruses.

A few blocks away at Kollektiv Cycle staff and students are getting a workout of a different kind.

Armed with disinfectant, this has become the norm, wiping every nook and cranny repeatedly as concerns about COVID-19 continue to grow.

“We can appreciate that it’s a very scary time for a lot of people and currently we are maintaining our operations until there’s a reason not to and we are just upping our cleaning procedures. We’ve always kind of had a high bar for that but just going a little bit higher so that people can feel at ease coming here, and we notice that our own riders are grabbing extra bike wipes and wiping them down and we have absolutely no problem with that it’s whatever is going to make people feel secure,” said owner Sabrina Moore.

A same sentiment is shared at Yoga You4ia

” We’ve been taking time to make sure that we are cleaning inside the studio, we’re coming in and you know cleaning the areas like the door handles and stuff that people touch. We have the hand sanitizer at the front door and encouraging our students to stay home if they are sick,” said Salli Siewert, Owner Yoga You4ia.

But with social distancing a recommendation by the CDC that means making some adjustments .

“We do have props that they are welcome to use but we are planning practices around..where they don’t need them if they just feel comfortable bringing in their own supplies, and then there’s less shared products that they use.”

And despite the concern, people appear to still want to get their workouts.

Back over at Kollektiv Cycle, Shawna Barth, says COVID-19 pushes her to maintain her good health even more.

” I think its important during this time to make sure that we are looking after our physical and mental health, so I’ve been trying to stick to my routines and add a little bit in there, it’s a stressful time,” Barth said.

This as people ponder maintaining their health regime during a worldwide health pandemic

Update:

Since this story was shot, Marla Howard of Heartbreaker Dance and Fitness announced on Facebook that they will be closing for 24 hours. Due to the fluidity of COVID-19 it is recommended to call facilities beforehand to find out if they are open.