SUNRAYSIA fitness fanatics can hit the gym again, with fitness facilities reopening across regional Victoria on Wednesday.
Non-contact indoor exercise can resume with a maximum of 10 people per space and 20 people per venue.
Owner of gym chain Club Aquarius, John Hollywood, said it was a positive first step towards reviving the industry.
“I believe, personally, that we are on the right track now,” he said.
“We’re really excited to get back and we’ve had hundreds of people getting in touch who are sharing that excitement with us.”
He said while the Mildura business would not turn a profit until more patrons were permitted, he was hopeful restrictions would be further eased soon.
“We’re expecting the next step will be in the next two weeks and we will be able to go to the 1.5 metre per person as per the space size,” he said.
Mildura Waves Aquatic and Leisure Centre manager Caitlin Simmons said while Sunday’s announcement had been a surprise, the facility had been preparing for reopening.
“It was certainly met with a lot of excitement,” she said.
“The great thing is we’ve been using our months of closure preparing for reopening in the event the announcement did come unexpectedly like it has.
“We got information out to clients yesterday and within five minutes of sending that out, we had people inquiring about bookings, so we’re pretty confident everyone is as keen as we are.”
Smaller fitness boutiques will also open today, like Mildura’s Barre Collective.
Owner Siobhan Clohesy said although it had been a long six months for the business, there had been a “wonderful response” from clients supporting the business online.
She said due to the studio’s small class numbers there had been little affect on how the studio would operate.
“We have had to go a little smaller again, which means extra classes in the schedule, but anything to be back and helping everyone feel good,” she said.
“I’m so very excited to have personal interaction with clients once again.”
