Judge issues injunction against Ventura gym for continuing indoor operations against health orders

VENTURA, Calif. - A Ventura County judge signed another order against a Ventura gym for operating illegally indoors.

The owners of BSF Fitness Center in Ventura appeared in court on Friday.

The fitness center began operating indoors back in mid-May. The District Attorney said local officials have made numerous requests that BSF comply with health orders by ceasing indoor gym operations, as other similar businesses have done in the county. When BSF continued indoor operations, it was considered unfair competition for the surrounding closed businesses and a civil complaint was filed.

A Ventura County Superior Court issued a temporary restraining order against the gym in August as part of the civil complaint. The order required the business to stop all indoor operations immediately, but the gym remained open anyway.

Ultimately, the judge at Friday's hearing decided to sign a preliminary injunction against the gym which replaces the current restraining order. The injunction requires BSF to comply with state and local health orders which prohibit indoor operations by gyms and fitness centers at this time.

The owners of BSF Fitness said they are disappointed with Friday's outcome.

“It’s not the people against us, if you really look at it, we are the people. It will all prove itself in the end. We could all wake up tomorrow and gyms could be open, right? They're open in San Diego, they're open in New York, they're open in New Jersey," said Josh Cohn, co-owner of BSF Fitness.

"And they are open in Ventura just behind blacked out windows.”

The county said the gym has not paid the fines issued alongside citations.