Students in the “Let’s Spin” class rode their stationary bikes outdoors at Let’s Sweat, 439 N. Sixth Ave., on Aug. 19, 2020. The fitness studio and gym moved its classes outdoors and limited class sizes in order to adhere to coronavirus disease guidelines. But data from the state health department shows Pima County now meets two of three state-set benchmarks for gyms to reopen, and new numbers Thursday might pave the way.
Arizonans waiting to get back into exercise routines in gyms may not have to wait much longer. Same if they’re hoping to go to theaters, and even to some bars.
Such businesses in Cochise, Coconino, Greenlee, La Paz and Yavapai counties already can reopen, providing they follow certain health protocols, pandemic data from the Arizona Department of Health Services shows. Those steps include everything from physical distancing and mask requirements to enhanced cleaning procedures, and for bars to operate more like restaurants.
The state has set limits of 25% capacity for gyms and 50% for movie theaters and bars.
Pima, Pinal and Maricopa counties are just one benchmark shy of hitting the numbers for such businesses to reopen, an analysis of statistics by Capitol Media Services shows.
That could happen Thursday, when the latest COVID-19 figures are released.
As a result, all the legal wrangling over whether the state is being arbitrary about who can open and who cannot during the pandemic could disappear for much of the state.
One chain, which has been waging a court battle with the health department, is not waiting for the new numbers Thursday to see whether it can legally allow customers. Mountainside Fitness of the Phoenix area announced Tuesday it intends to reopen at 4:30 a.m. that morning — with or without the state’s blessing and regardless of whether the health department finds that coronavirus conditions in Maricopa County have reached the “moderate” level.
Mountainside CEO Tom Hatten, said he has provided “third-party certification … supported by medical professionals” that the company’s 18 facilities are safe to reopen. But the state health department has so far denied his request to reopen.
He isn’t alone. The latest figures from the health department show it has denied 99 requests by gyms and fitness centers to reopen; another 90 locations have been given the go-ahead.
Hatten, accusing the state of “subjective enforcement,” said he is not going to wait.
If he follows through, that puts the burden on the health department to decide what to do next. There was no immediate response.
Hatten has had some luck in court. He got a judge to order the state to provide a “roadmap” of sorts to show when it is safe for various kinds of businesses to reopen automatically, and under what conditions, as well as an appeals process for those who seek a waiver.
It is that roadmap that will allow gyms and fitness centers to reopen at 25% capacity if individual counties pass a three-part test.
First, there have to be two weeks where there are fewer than 100 COVID-19 cases for every 100,000 residents. It also requires that fewer than 10% of tests for the virus come back positive for two weeks straight. The final benchmark is that fewer than 10% of people showing up at hospitals have COVID-like symptoms. The most recent data posted on the health department’s website indicated Pima County still needed to meet the first test.
All 15 counties meet the last category, with five hitting the other two benchmarks. What’s left now is to see when the other 10 counties can reach the same levels.
Nothing that’s happening in any of the counties will lead to the reopening of bars and nightclubs, at least not the way they used to operate with dancing, standing around and chatting, or hanging around the pool tables.
The standards set by the health department prohibit these establishments from reopening with those practices until all three benchmarks in a county reach what the state considers “minimal” levels. That means fewer than 10 cases per 100,000, fewer than 5% of test results coming back positive, and fewer than 5% of hospital visits by patients with COVID-like symptoms.
And no county is even close.
There is a way around that, though.
Bars will be allowed to open in any county where the levels of infection have reached just the moderate standard, the same one that will allow gyms and fitness centers to reopen at 25% capacity.
But they would have to convert to what the health department calls “restaurant service.”
That doesn’t mean no alcohol. What it does mean is customers escorted to tables, groups limited to no more than 10, no standing or mingling, and limited waiting areas. And forget dancing.
Under those conditions, the facility could have up to 50% occupancy.
Schools and in-person instruction present a different set of issues.
They use the same benchmarks for number of cases at fewer than 100 per 100,000 residents and that 10% standard for hospital visits. But it requires that the percentage of tests for the virus turning up positive is below 7 for two weeks — not 10% like for businesses.
Body Works in Tucson online workout class
Alessangra Lima, teacher at Body Works in Tucson, helps Kyria Sabin Waugaman, pilates instructor at Body Works in Tucson, host an online workout class at Body Works, 1980 E. River Rd., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 17, 2020. More people have joined the online group Zoom classes said Sabin Waugaman. "They have more time on their hands and are making health a priority," said Sabin Waugaman.
Top Physique online personal training
Patricia Gonzales, personal trainer and owner of Top Physique Personal Training, instructs her client Helen Hargrove how to hold a gallon of water for an exercise during an online personal training session at Top Physique Personal Training studio, 1802 W. Grant Road, in Tucson, Ariz., on April 20, 2020. Gonzales has switched her in-person private training to sessions on Zoom. A client performs a workout instructed by Gonzales in front of the clients computer while Gonzales helps motivate and correct form during their training session. Taking time with clients and keeping that vital was Gonzales main goal. "My clients want to see me," said Gonzales.
Tucson Phoenix Rising Fitness and Defense video instruction
Jesse James Tucker, owner and trainer at Tucson Rising Phoenix Fitness and Defense, records a video response on techniques for one of his members outside his home in Tucson, Ariz., on April 14, 2020. Tucker is talking with clients through videos. When a member has a question on a certain exercise or technique, Tucker will record the answer with added tips and information. Then send the video response back to the member. Tucker, also, records daily workout videos for his members. "I have been putting in more hours in since this quarantine started then ever before," said Tucker. "I am constantly in front of the camera and editing videos."
Boxing Inc. workout videos
Danny Lopez, trainer at Boxing Inc., works out in his backyard using one of Boxing Inc.'s online home workout videos as well as his own abdominal workout in Tucson, Ariz., on April 21, 2020.
Boxing Inc. workout videos
Danny Lopez, trainer at Boxing Inc., works out in his backyard using one of Boxing Inc.'s online home workout videos as well as his own abdominal workout in Tucson, Ariz., on April 21, 2020. Personal trainers at Boxing Inc., Tucson gym specializing in boxing, Jiu Jitsu, mixed martial arts, Muay Thai and kickboxing, are no longer doing any in person workouts but record workouts for their clients as well as the public to do at home. Workouts are then posted to their Youtube channel, social media account and emailed, according to Amy Moraga, corporate manger at Boxing Inc. Lopez creates videos as well as use other Boxing Inc. trainer videos. "It's different but it is what it is," said Lopez.
CrossFit Milo group workouts
From left to right, Jessica Fraver, Rebekah Bonilla, Sina Meissgeier and Alessia Alaimo, friends and members of CrossFit Milo, perform wall sits from an at-home workout, provided by CrossFit Milo, at Fraver's house in Tucson, Ariz., on April 28, 2020. There is a way to get a workout in without using equipment but having equipment helps to add a greater challenge said Alan Williams, co-owner of CrossFit Milo. "We're all in this together," said Williams, "we will suffer but we will survive."
Arizona Football at-home workouts
Brian Johnson, left, director of strength and condition for Arizona Football, demonstrates a plank pull through using a bag filled with books for student athletes at home while Johnson's wife Angela Johnson records video in their backyard in Oro Valley, Ariz., on April 20, 2020. Johnson records daily videos of workouts players can do from home. Some items Johnson incorporates into their daily workouts include suitcases, bags and resistance bands. After recording the workouts, Johnson then puts them on instagram for the players to view. "I know they are all on their phones and social media," said Johnson.
CrossFit Milo group workouts
Sina Meissgeier, front center, CrossFit Milo member, performs a burpee along with friends and fellow gym members Jessica Fraver, left, Alessia Alaimo and Rebekah Bonilla, at Fraver's house in Tucson, Ariz., on April 28, 2020. Common equipment that people borrow, that can be used in the daily workouts, are small items such as kettle bells and dumbbells, said Kare Williams, co-owner of CrossFit Milo, but people miss the gym and the community. "I totally miss the gym 100% but I am trying to focus on what we have with the home workouts," said Meissgeier.
At-home garage workouts
Courtney Bear, owner of BearPal Nutrition and member of CrossFit Milo, performs barbell cleans with her daughter Darrian Bear (not shown) inside their garage in Vail, Ariz., on April 27, 2020. Even though gyms are closed, Courtney and her daughter are getting more workouts in. Courtney's daughter Darrian has worked out a total of 14 days in a row, said Bear while Darrian shook her head yes. "We are working out more because it's easy to get to and we walk by it every day," said Courtney Bear. "You just make do with what you got," added Darrian Bear.
At-home garage workouts
Courtney Bear, left, owner of BearPal Nutrition and member of CrossFit Milo, writes down an at home tabata workout, which Bear will do with her daughter, inside Bear's garage in Vail, Ariz., on April 27, 2020. Tabata training, a staple in CrossFit Milo's workouts, is a common training used in their at-home workouts, as well as in their in-person classes. Exercises included in some of their workouts are air squats, planks, kettle bell swings, power cleans and burpees.
CrossFit Milo equipment borrowing
Kare Williams, co-owner of CrossFit Milo, sprays workout gear that was returned by a gym member at CrossFit Milo, 301 W. 4th st. in Tucson, Ariz., on April 28, 2020. To help keep members working out, CrossFit Milo allows members to borrow and exchange equipment which members will need for at-home workouts. Each equipment returned is soaked with bleach and left outside for a couple of minutes. Kare Williams along with Alan Williams, owners of CrossFit Milo, want to make sure, in the event they reopen, the equipment is clean, said Williams. Williams is hopefull they will begin classes on Monday May 3, Williams told members, but they are not sure.
Student athlete online check-in's and workouts
A pile of papers are spread out on a bed while Jim Krumpos, Arizona Athletics associate director of sports performance, hosts a weekly Zoom meeting with Arizona Baseball players inside his home in Marana, Ariz., on April 17, 2020. Having to switch to online and using technology was not a drastic change for Krumpos and his coaches, said Krumpos. Krumpos, his coaching staff and the University of Arizona student athletes have access to an app which they have used in the past. What is challenging is modifying exercises to fit different students situations. "Everything is laid out in detail, it's very time consuming," said Krumpos. One thing that was added to Krumpos and his staffs job were weekly check-in's with their students. "It's all about motivation," said Krumpos.
CrossFit Milo group workouts
From left to right, Rebekah Bonilla, Sina Meissgeier, Jessica Fraver, and Alessia Alaimo, friends and members of CrossFit Milo, perform snatches and kettle bell swings at Fraver's house in Tucson, Ariz., on April 28, 2020. For Bonilla, Meissgeier, Fraser and Alaimo, they knew working out by themselves would be tough so they made a plan to workout together. "We have this group that workouts together and I doubt other people have that," said Jessica Fraver. "The motivation is a bit harder so we made a plan," said Alessia Alaimo.
BearPal Nutrition
Courtney Bear, owner of BearPal Nutrition, has a weekly Zoom call with her client and daughter-in-law Cassie Ault inside her home office in Vail, Ariz., on April 27, 2020. For Bear, switching to online wasn't much of a difference. "Ninety percent of my business is online," said Bear. "It was pretty effortless for me." Bear used her business to help her clients navigate the different times. "I provide them with options," said Bear. "If there's no rice, then buy sweet potatoes. If there are no sweet potatoes, then buy regular potatoes."
At-home family workouts
Kina Barton, left, and Darren Barton, right, members of CrossFit Milo, perform sit-ups while working out at home with their daughter Abby Barton, center, inside their living room in Tucson, Ariz., on April 27, 2020. Despite gyms being closed, some families are choosing to workout together. "Our 7-year-old is enjoying us home more and she's participating," said Darren. "It's been kind of nice to be together for a bit," added Kina. "I love burpees," said Abby.
At-home garage workouts
Courtney Bear, left, owner of BearPal Nutrition and member of CrossFit Milo, and her daughter Darrian Bear stretch inside their garage in Vail, Ariz., on April 27, 2020 after a quick at home tabata workout. "We have done a lot together since the quarantine," said Courtney Bear.
At-home garage workouts
Courtney Bear, left, owner of BearPal Nutrition and member of CrossFit Milo, high-fives her daughter Darrian Bear inside their garage in Vail, Ariz., on April 27, 2020 after a quick tabata workout. Darrian Bear does some workouts by herself but it's nice to workout with her mom for some motivation. Courtney helps push her, said Darrian Bear.
Tucson Phoenix Rising Fitness and Defense video instruction
Jesse James Tucker, owner and trainer at Tucson Rising Phoenix Fitness and Defense, edits a video for a one of his members outside his home in Tucson, Ariz., on April 14, 2020. Tucker had already planned on creating an online platform prior to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) but never had a chance to add "coal to the fire," said Tucker. COVID-19 gave him the chance. "No I am not going to stop doing this," said Tucker. "I am going, now, to the next level."
Body Works in Tucson online workout class
Kyria Sabin Waugaman, pilates instructor at Body Works in Tucson, thanks her members for joining one of her online workout class at Body Works, 1980 E. River Rd., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 17, 2020. In addition to online workout classes, Sabin Waugaman, is creating an online video library for members to access 24/7 as well as adding to her movement encyclopedia that she has been working on for the past three years. "Online is going to be part of the normal," said Sabin Waugaman.
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