COVID-19: Santa Maria gyms get ready to reopen during pandemic

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Since Santa Barbara County officially went red Tuesday, gyms throughout the county are reopening indoors.

Gym goers were thrilled to get to work out indoors again at the YMCA in Santa Maria Wednesday morning.

While the outdoor area has remained open, most of the indoor exercise rooms were closed until now.

"I’m really excited ... The gym is amazing for my health especially as a senior in college and just trying to finish school the gym is super important and being inside and getting for usage of all the machines it’s just gonna be really amazing," said gym goer Mariana De Leon.

Every person entering the YMCA has their temperature checked at the front desk.

The gym is allowing people in at a reduced capacity following the rules set forth by Santa Barbara County and the state.

"We’re really careful. We still screen people when they come in with thermometers. We still have masks all the time. We’re super careful and we provide masks if you don’t have one," said CEO Shannon Seifert of Santa Maria Valley YMCA.

In order to keep the doors open gym managers hope people will follow heath protocols so that we can make it it to the next lev

"Our hope as businesses throughout the community open is that we get past the level red tier to expand further by protecting respecting and wearing masks and distancing," said Seifert.

Managers believe this is the only way to keep their doors open.

Meanwhile, they are bursting with energy as members return.

"Welcome back! We remember you," said Seifert.