SWFL gym owner ready to reopen when governor gives OK

Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to make a new announcement Friday. He hinted it would be regarding gyms and fitness centers during a press conference.

We spoke to owner Breantt Wollis of Smash Fitness in Lee County Thursday who said he’s ready for customers to come back to his business. And he’s is already planning for when they can return.

“You’re going to pick up a spray bottle and a rag, and you have to use that on every machine,” Wollis said. “Now, when you’re done, it’s going to go to a dirty table. Staff is going to come with gloves, clean it off with alcohol.”

Wollis feels that day is coming soon after DeSantis alluded to making an announcement about gyms at the end of the week.

“Why would we want to dissuade people from going to be in shape?” DeSantis said. “So we’re going to have an announcement on that tomorrow. But I think it’s really important that people have access to gyms and to different exercise.”

Wollis is already taping off certain equipment to create more space between members, something he feels will keep people safe.

“There are masks available. We have gloves for everybody,” Wollis said. “So, if we have to wear them, we will. If they recommend us to wear them, we will. I’m assuming they probably won’t recommend customers wear them, just due to heavy breathing and all that. But if that is a requirement, then we will be on board.”

Wollis says Smash Fitness will close two hours early each night at 10 p.m. so employees can have more time to sanitize the gym.

Both Wollis and DeSantis agree gyms can help improve peoples’ health, a step that could strengthen immune systems amid the pandemic.

“They’re getting away from healthy habits,” Wollis said. “It’s hard to do that, work out at home, you know, week in and week out. It works for like a week or two. But people want to get back to what they were doing, their routines.”