STAYING fit is one of the key passports to longevity. For months, many gym-goers must have been stranded due to the closure of gymnasiums nationwide.
This is all due to Covid-19 pandemic that never seems to end soon, wrecking lives and livelihoods of many, including individuals hitting the gym to keep fit.
Following the Federal Government’s recent announcement that gyms in states under Phase Two and Three of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) were allowed to operate, state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee expressed hopes that gyms won’t close again in the future if there is to be a surge in new Covid-19 cases.
Instead, Soon has proposed to the Federal Government to introduce even tighter standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other relevant precautions.
“It is good to see that gym-goers are back in action once again but of course, if at all cases increase again, we must try our best to not entirely close the gyms but retain it with stricter SOPs in place.
“People may hit the gym for many reasons. One main reason is definitely to keep oneself fit and healthy.
“At a time of such uncertainty in terms of our physical and emotional well-being, it is important for people to stay healthy.
“Some can do basic workout at home; some will need extra equipment and tools to carry out advanced sessions. It all depends on our needs.
“In the past, we have often witnessed and heard of the formation of new clusters in many areas, namely industrial sector, shopping malls and others.
“Thus far, we’ve not heard of any gym clusters in Penang. This clearly shows that with strict adherence to SOPs, these premises are able to operate,” Soon said during his visit to the Seven Star Gym in Batu Lancang on Sept 21.
Meanwhile Seven Star operations manager Kevin Too said since the reopening on Sept 20, only around 10 to 15 people have returned to the gym.
Too, with a calm and confident voice, also said although the numbers are small for now, it will slowly but surely pick up in the coming weeks.
“We have about 98 to 103 registered members here. Some have actually decided to terminate their memberships with us.
“We are currently encouraging them to activate their memberships. We hope to receive positive feedback from them,” Too said during a brief interview session at the gym.
According to him, the gym’s capacity is only 30 people at any one time, but due to the restrictions in place now, only 15 are allowed to enter.
Seven Star has a total of seven branches in Penang, including the one in Batu Lancang.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud