In a previous interview 24 Hour fitness CEO Ueber stated that patrons would not be required to wear masks, which supported several state guidelines, where masks are “recommended.” Ueber stated:

“People will be able to make reservations using our 24GO app, so that way they know exactly when they can come into the gym,” said Ueber. “They don’t have to worry about whether there is going to be available, they’re not going to have to queue up outside of the club.”

“We want to make sure that we can test our plans and protocols, kind of in live-action, and then make some decisions from there on what kind of adjustments we need to just ensure the safety of our team members, the safety of our members, and that people can get a really good workout in,” said Ueber.

Social distancing will be promoted throughout with signage, and equipment will be spaced out. Personal training and studio classes can meet in areas where members can safely maintain social distancing.

24 Hour fitness was recently sued in a Federal lawsuit, when they seemingly willfully continued to charge customers, stating they were unable to freeze payments, though freezing payment is a simply merchant processing function, and as simply as clicking a button.

24 Hour fitness also filed for bankruptcy, stating “If it were not for COVID-19 and its devastating effects, we would not be filing for Chapter 11,” he said in a statement.

The California Department of Public health released guidelines for gyms when reopening. The guidelines state that employees and personal trainers must wear face coverings, and face coverings are encouraged when social distance cannot be maintained, but excluded people engaged in exercise activities from having to wear a face covering.

It is also a known fact that wearing a face mask and constantly breathing in carbon dioxide, can deteriorate ones health.

Download guidance

Recently California governor Newsom and the California Department of Public Health released update guidelines, where exercising remained exempt from a face covering requirement.

The guidance states:

” The following individuals are exempt from wearing a face covering:

• Persons age two years or under. These very young children must not wear a face covering because of the risk of suffocation.
• Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering. This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a face covering could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance.
• Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
• Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.
• Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.
• Persons who are seated at a restaurant or other establishment that offers food or beverage service, while they are eating or drinking, provided that they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet away from persons who are not members of the same household or residence.
• Persons who are engaged in outdoor work or recreation such as swimming, walking, hiking, bicycling, or running, when alone or with household members, and when they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet from others.
• Persons who are incarcerated. Prisons and jails, as part of their mitigation plans, will have specific guidance on the wearing of face coverings or masks for both inmates and staff. “

Is it safe to wear a mask while working out?

If you’re running or spinning, wearing a mask “is not going to be practical.”

Sweat makes masks “less porous, which means harder for the air to exchange in either direction. Many are going to feel lightheaded, suffocated and maybe numb around the fingers, due to the lack of oxygen and excessive carbon dioxide.