The owner of a chain of gyms challenges bans: “That’s enough, we’ll reopen”

GROSSETO. «I confirm everything. Friday 15 January we will also reopen in Grosseto and, at the same time, the other 11 gyms in Tuscany, Umbria and Emilia Romagna. We are also part of the 30 thousand exhibitors who have joined the “Io apro” initiative ».

Federino Milieni, marketing manager of All in (a company in the fitness sector), on the phone with the Tyrrhenian, last night reiterated the reasons for a courageous choice, which will cause discussion. “Today (yesterday, ed) we opened the Modena East gym – attacks Milieni – it was a decision made because we are at the fruit… We wanted to probe the effects of the protest that will continue on January 15th. Already at 6 in the morning we had dozens of members with bags ready to train. We were open for 4 hours and, yes, the police came to check. No one, however, forced us to close, nor do we know that any fines have been raised. We closed at 10 by choice. The protest was peaceful and the main objective, evident, was to make the government understand that, if we do not reopen, we will succumb. Obviously, in this initiative, lawyers follow us ».

Also in Grosseto there is expectation for the reopening of the gyms and curiosity for the GimFive initiative is growing. «There is a desire to return to a pseudo-normality – continues Milieni – but let’s be clear, we will respect, as we have always done, all safety regulations: distances and sanitization. We hope that the members, also in Maremma and in the rest of Tuscany (the other gyms are located in Livorno and Pontedera) will be at our side ». And actually there is a great desire to return to training, albeit with due caution. The desire to run on a treadmill, to sit on a bench, to hold a dumbbell or a barbell, is stronger in many than the fear of contagion. «Also because – these are still Milieni’s words – so many studies confirm that it is not in the gym that you get infected. Indeed, physical activity strengthens the immune system. Not to mention that open gyms help people feel better psychologically too ».

The restrictions imposed by the last Dpcm provide, however, that the weight rooms remain closed until further notice. GimFive will challenge the rules introduced by the Government with the utmost attention, with the usual prudence. In Grosseto the management of GimFive is entrusted to Michele Parrini: «We do what we are told. I am a collaborator and I can only confirm the intention of the company, which is to open, because actually jobs are at risk. It is not just a question of forcing and visibility … ». On the same wavelength Alessandro Spalvieri, coordinator of the Tuscany area for GimFive: «The leaders speak. I can only confirm that in the three Tuscan offices we will reopen on Friday morning and I am convinced that there will be people ready to train safely ».

The decision to reopen in any case and at any cost was announced in a press release on December 14th. «For GimFive – concludes Milieni – the two lockdowns were very hard. I also imagine for colleagues, everywhere. This is why a strong signal must be given ».

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