The gym outside the gym, “At least we feel alive”

BORGO VALBELLUNA

One year after the first closure, dated 24 February 2020, gyms are making a virtue of necessity, looking for alternative ways to continue their business in compliance with anti-contagion rules: after online courses and those in parks, there are those who it is now gearing up to create authentic. .. gyms outside the gym. This is the case of the All Fit of Trichiana, in Cavassico Inferiore, which for a few days on its outdoor terrace has set up stations to give the possibility of outdoor training, to give a signal of rebirth to the community. Of course, you have to deal with the still bitter cold especially in the morning; but, until it rains, you train …

How important is physical activity in Covid time?

«A lot», the owners Nino Barresi and Michele Simone reply in chorus, «because, with the stress we are experiencing, people really risk exhaustion. We have people who suffer from diabetes and then obese and heart disease: a terrible situation especially for them, underestimated by everyone. This is why we took action with special training: we are a “health gym” recognized by the Region, in the province of Belluno there are only two. We follow protocols dictated by the Cardiology of Feltre, making use of people specialized in this sector, with targeted training; to these people we continuously check heart rate and pressure, making them do exercises with light weights and an aerobic workout ».

What does it mean to have at least reopened the terrace?

«On an emotional level», Simone explains, «there is happiness, desire to work and empathy. Beyond the takings, which are really small, at least we feel alive. It is already a long time ».

Is it possible to move an entire gym outside?

«Of course not», is the answer, «for now we have only brought out small tools, dumbbells and barbells. From next week we will better equip the terrace by taking out all the strength machines. It is stressful to have to move the machinery back and forth morning and evening, but there is no alternative if we want to resist ».

Obviously all restrictions are well respected …

«As better it could not. The minimum distance of two meters “, adds Barresi,” the sanitation of the hands when you arrive and as often as possible. We have sanitizers everywhere, to be used as an obligation every time you pick up the tools. You can’t use the changing rooms, you can’t enter the gym and no shower. We do individual training but also group courses, always keeping the distance and only outdoors ».

How are you living these months?

«They haven’t given us a cent so far», Simone explains, «and this makes us angry. But with anger you do nothing. We have to roll up our sleeves and move on ».

«There could not have been such a negative period for our sector», Barresi intervenes, «the closure of last spring affected the whole summer part, because people were terrified. We haven’t practically worked for a year. We are lucky enough to have this 400 m2 terrace completely outdoors: it is the last lifesaver we cling to so as not to drown. Because nothing is known about when they will reopen us ». –

© REPRODUCTION RESERVED

– .