After months of severe limitations, gyms in North Carolina can open, and Anytime Fitness is ready. As of Friday afternoon, the state now allows gyms to open at 30% capacity and lifted other restrictions.
Anytime Fitness has installed a sanitation station at the entrance, offers a touchless thermometer and plenty of hand sanitizer all around. “We have done as much as we can,” owner Hannah Ambrozewski said.
Owner Hanna Ambrozewski welcomes members to Anytime Fitness in Southern Pines at the Hobby Lobby plaza. Hanna and her husband Tristan also own and operate Anytime Fitness in Pinehurst next to Harris Teeter.
While other gyms closed in March after Gov. Roy Cooper’s Executive Order, Anytime Fitness re-opened under a special provision in the law.
“We have been open since June 12 in order to provide accommodation to persons who need to exercise prescribed by or directed by a medical professional, said Hannah. “With the new rule, now anyone can use the gym.”
North Carolina moved into “Phase 2.5” of coronavirus restrictions on Friday at 5 p.m., allowing playgrounds, museums and gyms to open with capacity restrictions.
North Carolina is in Phase 2.5 of the COVID-19 crisis easing restriction on gyms.
Hanna, together with her husband Tristan, own and operate two locations. The first to open in 2016 was the gym in Southern Pines in the Hobby Lobby shopping plaza. The other location, only a year old, is near the Harris Teeter in Pinehurst.
Anytime Fitness is a 24-hour health and fitness club headquartered in Minnesota. The company operates over 4,000 franchised locations in 50 countries. The gym facilities are open 365 days of the year.
~Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter John Patota.
