NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — New York City gyms are allowed to reopen Wednesday for the first time since March.
State-issued safety guidelines include 33% capacity, mandatory masks, health screenings at the door and the installation of special air filters.
Gyms will have to be inspected within two weeks of reopening.
"We have to make sure that it's done in a way that protects the health and safety of New Yorkers and that's really what we aim to do by working with gyms," said the city's health commissioner, Dr. Dave Chokshi.
At the Planet Fitness on West 55th Street, there was a long line of eager members standing in the rain, waiting at the door a half hour before the gym opened.
"You never realize how much you miss the gym until you can't go," said Erica Rodriguez, who couldn't wait to get on the treadmill.
"I feel good being here, I'm just excited," said Terry Pope, who was first in line. "I'm just ready to go, I'm pumped up."
Inside, there's touchless check-in, cleaning stations, hand sanitizer and at least six feet of space between equipment.
"We actually turned off every other piece of equipment to allow for six feet of space. So are you you go through you'll see every other machine turned with 'social fitnessing' signs," said Dale Paden, vice president of marketing for Planet Fitness.
For now, indoor group classes are not allowed and pools will remain closed at city gyms.