Returning To The Gym Post-Pandemic
By Aly Gandarilla

I had not stepped into a gym in over a year and was super hesitant about getting back into a group workout setting. Funny enough, the pandemic left me focusing on my health and fitness more than ever. It was the only way I was really able to escape in the comfort of my own home. I relied on platforms like iChuze Fitness to get in a home workout and I started to realize all of the physical and emotional benefits that came with working out on a daily basis. My mood was better, I felt less stressed, and I started to see the physical changes, too! 

When California announced gyms were going to be opening up again, I was anxious, nervous, and excited. Part of me wanted to rush back to the gym and take advantage of all of that energy I built up over the past year. On the other hand, I wasn’t sure what safety precautions would take place at the gym or if people would be respectful of each other’s boundaries.

Before the world shut down in early 2020, I took a couple of Body Pump classes at Chuze Fitness and knew I wanted to try it out again. I love working out in a group environment because it really pushes you to challenge yourself in a place where everyone else is trying to do the same thing. The kids had already started begging me to go back to the gym too, just so that they could take advantage of the Kids Club while I got a workout in.

What I love about Chuze Fitness is the endless variety of amenities, it’s like getting access to a bunch of boutique studios all in one place for a fraction of the cost. Chuze is a non-intimidating gym and when I finally decided to return a few weeks ago after a year hiatus, their staff was happy to show me around and let me know about their latest safety measures.

Safety Measures

Chuze has antibacterial stations located throughout the gym, fully stocked with hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, which made me feel more comfortable when I returned.

 I also paid special attention to the social distancing guidelines. With signs located around the entire gym asking people to respect others’ space, I noticed everyone was following them. Everyone at the gym was doing their part too. I didn’t see one person leave a piece of equipment before sanitizing it for the next person to use. That alone made me feel so comfortable in my decision to return to the gym.

Chuze Fitness is open at 100% capacity and truly provides the friendliest and cleanest gym experience.

A Gym for Everyone 

No matter what your fitness goals are, you can pretty much find everything you need at Chuze. My personal favorite is the Chuze Cinema- a quiet and dark place to get your cardio in while watching a movie. I tried it out for the first-time last week and have gone three times since, it’s such a fun way to get lost in your workout and you really do lose track of time (win-win)! I also love that Chuze offers various group classes and has quite the selection to choose from on a daily basis. From yoga, to cycling, to team training and more, they really provide it all without having to break the bank. I peeked in during a team training class the other day and the energy in the room was unreal!

I have the More Membership, which basically costs less than a dinner night out, and includes access to everything I shared above, plus more amenities like the HydroMassage chairs, infrared saunas, and a steam room. The gym membership even gives me unlimited guest privileges so I can take my husband with me at no additional charge. How cool is that?

If you have kids, you’ll want to take advantage of the Kids Club. They do temperature checks and mask-wearing to keep the kids safe, which I love. The girls always come out with some kind of craft or project that they worked on while I was working out.

Making a Commitment to Myself

Now that I am comfortable with going back to the gym again, I am making it a commitment to myself to get to the gym at least twice a week. Every time I leave the gym, I feel better than ever. I’ve been trying out something new each time and I’m really enjoying challenging myself. My goal this year is to try out more group classes, take advantage of the state-of-the-art equipment, and continue to focus on my mental and physical health.

Let’s be virtual gym buddies and keep each other accountable! If you love to get into action and have a real workout experience, you may find yourself searching for “gyms near me.” Chuze Fitness is available in various locations from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and California. With our extensive facilities and remarkable amenities, you will definitely love working out again and again. You can try out Chuze Fitness for 7-days with their free 7-day pass! Plus, if you decide that it’s the right fit for your fitness journey, our competitive gym memberships offer even more benefits and access to premium amenities.