This article was originally published in Boro Magazine in October 2020.
Astoria and Long Island City fitness facilities are finally starting to welcome their members back after a long hiatus. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in August that New York City gyms and fitness facilities could reopen by September 2 with rigorous safety protocols like a 33% max capacity and mandatory masks, and without indoor group classes. They’re adapting to new policies to keep members safe and offering a hybrid of workout options that comply with city guidelines.
Here’s how you can get back into an exercise routine, and what to expect before you go:
Astoria Sports Complex
34-38 38th St., Astoria
The family-owned fitness complex, which has been in operation for over 50 years, reopened in September with new policies like more cleaning, limited hours, and staff ensuring everyone is following the rules.
“We are doing everything possible to have our members feel safe during their workout,” says Supervisor Victor Poliseno, who runs the business with his siblings.
Members have to make a reservation and can only stay for an hour. After each hour, the entire facility shuts down to members to disinfect with foggers and spray bottles.
The Complex started offering outdoor $10 aerobic classes like spin and bootcamp on its roof and is continuing the popular program this fall. The four-lane pool is also open to four people at a time, as per city guidelines. The jacuzzi and sauna are closed for now. Group pool classes aren’t allowed, but the gym can offer private one-on-one lessons to kids.
It’s been challenging to be closed for so long without income coming in or government assistance, Poliseno said. He said the facility is a “staple in the community.”
The Cliffs at LIC
11-11 44th Dr., Long Island City
Before rock climbers come to The Cliffs at LIC, they can check the occupancy counter online to see if there’s space. The capacity is now 139, down from the normal occupancy of 737 for more distanced climbing, locker rooms have limited capacity, and showers are closed.
“It's great having members back in the gym,” said Casey King, general manager. “Members have been overwhelmingly supportive and respectful of the policies.”
The gym has all policies and a video online so climbers know what to expect. Members and visitors now need to book online if they’re coming after 5 p.m., and daytime climbers need to leave for evening cleanings. Temperature checks, checking in and out, and masks are now required. Yoga and fitness classes will remain online for now.
The facility is staying clean with an HVAC system rated to filter out traces of COVID-19 and staff that disinfect commonly touched surfaces hourly with hospital-grade cleaner. There are hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility and free liquid chalk instead of buckets of chalk.
“I think the community is excited to have the gym back and members are psyched to do whatever it takes to maintain a clean, open gym,” King said.
CrossFit Queens
25-50 31st St.
CrossFit Queens passed its health inspection and has been welcoming members back for open gym hours since September 8.
Members need to make a reservation before coming to the gym, fill out a health survey upon arrival, take their temperature, and follow new cleaning procedures. While classes aren’t allowed yet, they need to stick to preset, socially distanced workout areas designated for each person and can’t share equipment.
Workout times are limited to an hour, which means members can’t hang out after exercising to socialize.
Closing took a huge hit on business, and the gym saw cancelations as people tightened their budgets, says Stephen Ferguson, gym manager.
While the gym offered online classes, individualized coaching, at-home programming, workouts at the park, and equipment rental, it was hard for members to be apart, he said.
“Community is a huge benefit to being a member at CFQNYC and our community really missed being together in the gym and sharing the experience of working out together,” Ferguson said.
Daily online classes are still available. He said he looks forward to welcoming people back who feel comfortable returning to workout in person.
Sol Dance Center
30-16 Steinway St.
www.soldancecenter.com
The studio, known for teaching kids and adults dances like salsa, bachata, and ballet, is welcoming students back to smaller, distanced classes without partner work. The front desk has limited hours, students aren’t allowed to wait in the lobby, and staff has upped the cleaning measures, said Neri Raquel Bravo.
While the long closure was tough on business, especially since Sol Dance Center is also a popular rental spot for parties, it did help them expand outside of the US with virtual classes on Zoom. Sol is still offering classes online that are taught from the studio but enjoys seeing students return.
“We are happy to be back in our community [which] has been part of our journey for over 10 years,” Bravo said.
UFC Gym
34-11 Steinway St., Astoria
Members of UFC can’t go back to MMA fighting just yet, but they can return to the gym to practice or get a workout in. Since classes aren’t allowed yet, staff turned the equipment into a 45-minute circuit training with six three-minute rounds, and they’re on-site to help out.
The gym is only open in the evening and allows for 25 people at a time including staff. Normally, it’s a “family fitness center”, offering classes to kids ages 4 through 13, but it’s closed to kids for now, said Juan Vasquez, general manager.
It has sanitizing stations, temperature checks, and updated HVAC filters. Lockers are closed and have been replaced with cubbies outside of the gym. Once the facility gets closer to reaching the maximum capacity, it will implement time limits on workouts.
While the gym was closed, members had access to online classes through UFC corporate, which are still available. Vasquez said only “diehard” members have returned so far.
“It’s extremely difficult, and we’re asking our members to support us during these times until the rules change,” he said.
Yoga Agora
33-02 Broadway
Even though the studio’s still closed, the Yoga Agora community hasn’t stopped practicing. Owner Nick Velkov said the studio retained its team of teachers. They remained resilient he said, leading online classes and outdoor classes in Astoria Park and on an Open Streets block on 31st Avenue between 31st and 32nd streets.
“The silver lining is that outdoor classes are actually quite fun,” Velkov said. “It gives us an expansion to our yoga practice.”
Even though the studio has always been “meticulously clean,” it won’t reopen until they have guidelines on how to do it safely.
“It’s just been kind of a waiting game,” he said. He’s preparing for smaller classes with limited signups and setting up the website to facilitate that.
Daily instruction outside and online will continue unless it becomes unsustainable, and he hopes by then they can be back indoors. For now, look for daily classes at the park weekdays at noon and 6 p.m. and weekends at noon and 2 p.m.; Open Street classes are weekdays at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and weekends at 9 a.m.; and daily classes on Zoom. Most classes are $10 and there are several donation-based options.