Gyms start reopening Friday in Chattanooga, enabling people to begin pumping up and trimming down again after weeks of sheltering at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But club officials said the steps they are taking to meet coronavirus safety guidelines won't make returning to working out seem routine.
Amanda Tran at Workout Anytime on downtown's North Shore said only half of the permitted capacity will be allowed in at one time when the center restarts Friday.
"We're encouraging masks and social distancing," she said. "We're handing out our own towels. There's no tanning and hydro-massage."
The facility, unlike its name, will restrict operating hours, she said.
"Hopefully, we'll have a good reception" Tran said. "We're asking them to make sure their mindful of each other, to get in their work out and not take too long."
Gold's Gym, just as the Workout Anytime facilities in Chattanooga, also is resuming operations at its locations on Friday, according to its website.
But both the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga and the Sports Barn are reopening May 11.
Cara Standifer, the YMCA's chief marketing officer, said the aim is to be "overly cautious and overly prepared."
"Getting this right is extremely important," she said. "We want to make sure all the staff are trained on safety procedures and that we've really perfected what the member experience will look like."
David Brock, owner of the Sports Barn, said its three clubs are large and it takes a while to ramp back up, and it had started a couple of projects in women's locker rooms.
"We laid off 100 people," he said. "We're bringing people back to clean up the clubs and finish projects. We've ordered more sanitizing stations. We couldn't just flip the switch."
Brock said the Sports Barn is spacing out equipment all of next week to put six feet between the cardio stations. Also, it's buying thermometers for use by staff and for members if they want, he said.
"We've ordered masks that we'll sell at cost," Brock said. "They'll be available to members if they want to buy. They haven't come in yet."
He said the club is working off of the Tennessee Pledge and other guidelines.
"There will be extra cleaning. We've got to be super safe and at the same time we've got to be welcoming," Brock said. "There's a slight balance there, but the safety aspect is first."
Standifer said the YMCA, too, is shifting machines for social distancing.
"Rather than rush it and open as soon as possible, we want to have that breathing room to make sure every 't' is crossed and 'i' is dotted," she said.
Also, Standifer said, the YMCA is modifying hours, increasing staff and not immediately reopening a lot of amenities. No group exercises, pool use or coffee services, she said.
In addition, plans are not to reopen locker rooms, and no one can take a shower, Standifer said.
"We'll strongly encourage all members to wear masks," she said. "All staff will be required to wear them."
Brock said that at the Sports Barn, the locker rooms will be open and members can use lockers for changing and storage, though showers, the steam room and whirlpool are closed. Also, there'll be no nursery or organized classes, he said.
The club's two outdoor pools will reopen, though the number of chairs will be at 50% capacity, Brock said.
Racquetball courts will be limited to one person at a time, while the basketball court will be restricted to two.
Brock said the club is waiving fees for May. Standifer said the YMCA is discounting May rates by 33%.
"We're thankful for the support of our corporate partners and the businesses which stayed with us," Standifer said. She said that with tornado relief and feeding children, the YMCA's mission is alive.
Brock said he's not sure how quickly members will return to the club.
"I heard a lot of people tell me they can't wait to get back," he said. "I've had people say they're going to be cautious. We'll make it as comfortable and safe feeling as we can."
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.