Santa Maria gym reopens, tries to stay afloat amid COVID-19

Santa Maria, Calif. – It’s been almost two weeks since the state allowed Santa Barbara County to loosen its COVID-19 restrictions, meaning many businesses are now able to operate indoors with limited capacity, including gyms.

A good number of people were inside Crunch Fitness working out on Monday, as gyms are able to operate indoors at 25% capacity.

The gym was allowed to reopen after Santa Barbara County met the criteria to move into the less restrictive "red" tier in the state's reopening plan.

Crunch Fitness owner Arturo Quezda said the pandemic has been a difficult year for his gym.

His facility is at the Town Center Mall and was not able to open outdoors like other gyms.

But many gym members are now showing up again despite it being closed for months.

Masks are required to be worn inside at all times. The gym is also making members bring their own workout towels. If anyone forgets their own towel, one can be bought at the counter.

The owner says everyone is glad to be releasing pandemic-related stress during a workout.

“It’s a good way to release some of the stress, anxiety … it’s a good way to overpass whatever is going on right now,” said Quezada.

Hospital-grade cleaning supplies are also available at the facility, so members and employees can clean the equipment for the safety of everyone.

Physical distancing is mandated as Crunch Fitness has blocked off every other piece of exercise equipment to make sure no one gets too close.