Gyms are often packed at the beginning of January as people work towards their New Year’s resolution — and fitness centers across the Twin Cities are optimistic more people will get moving in 2022.
“I think there is definitely that feeling of energy in January,” said Jill Lipset, the owner of The Power House Minnesota, a cross-fit style gym. “If you’ve got that spark of motivation, that’s really everything you need to start to build from there.”
Walking us through her Saint Louis Park location, Lipset described the socially distanced set-up. Each athlete works out 10 feet from others who participate in a class. The gym also has a filtration system that exchanges the air every 12 minutes.
“Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your overall health,” she said. “It’s always that balancing act of, this is for your health and how can we make sure it’s not in any way risking your health either.”
Both the Saint Louis Park and St. Paul locations have made it through multiple mandated closures during the nearly two-year pandemic.
“This time last year we were closed, our doors were shut and we were operating classes and private training sessions online,” said Lipset. “Just being back in the gym has been wonderful.”
Now, the surge in COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant has tested their endurance again.
“I’m feeling discouraged where I thought that we were in a place where if we follow all of the right protocols, we can really keep ourselves safe and solid because we don’t want to go backward,” said Lipset.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spoke to Lipset on New Year’s Eve. This week, St. Paul implemented a mask mandate.
