Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Gyms and fitness centers are among the businesses that remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic and just when they will be permitted to reopen remains a mystery.
Many area gym owners wonder why their businesses can't be open now as New York is in the process of reopening the state in four phases and gyms have not been assigned a phase just yet. WBEN has learned that gyms will not be included in phase two, but where they will fall beyond that remains to be seen.
"Why our health isn't in phase one, I don't get," says Robbie Raugh of the Raw Truth.
"Honestly, we're opening other businesses, and even when businesses weren't open, people would go into places like Lowe's and pack next to each other. We're talking about being able to make accommodations for people to boost their immune system and exercise, and do it in a safe way." Raugh says the gym she teaches classes at is working on making those accommodations to meet those guidelines. "We gotta open the gyms, and unfortunately, no one's talking about it. Yes, we can't have a lot of people next to each other. We need to have time to wipe down the equipment and clean the rooms," says Raugh.
Robby Dinero of Athletes Unleashed in Orchard Park says gyms shouldn't be closed. "Not just gyms, everything should be open.
He says he got a visit from Orchard Park Police. "Before it started, police showed up. There was no workout going on when they showed up, so there was nothing for them to cite me for, and they left," says Dinero.
Dinero says he plans on opening up his gym again next week, and is getting legal advice.
Dinero says some detractors have said he's selfish for opening up his gym. "I empathize with their feelings, and I'm sorry if they're scared of virus and scared of catching it. Freedom is not expendable and it's not part time. Their fears cannot infringe on my freedom to live my life without fear. They can duct tape their entire body for all I care. Their fear cannot impact our ability to live freely," says Dinero.
