WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)—Parkwest Fitness in West Lafayette is open for business as Indiana moves into Stage 3 of re-opening the economy. Owner of Parkwest Fitness Steve Shook said it's an exciting move.
"We are very excited," said Shook. "Not only from the stand point of allowing people to get back in and workout."
Shook said opening the gym is good from a community stand point.
"Parkwest is more than just a place to workout for people," said Shook. "It's place of community, place to get support, acknowledgment and recognition."
Shook has made provisions such as spacing equipment, cleaning stations, requiring employees to wear masks while working and cleaning equipment significantly as they've always done.
"We will follow the guidelines of course," said Shook. "The state guidelines which fall mostly into the categories of cleaning and distancing. All things we've become comfortable with in the last two months."
Frequent customer at Parkwest Fitness Jonathan Biaba is excited to finally move his workouts from home back to the gym.
"It feels great," said Biaba. "I've been doing home workouts at home. They've been some what satisfying but haven't hit the mark the whole time so I am excited to be back."
Biaba said he does stay conscious that there's a pandemic and understands the importance of following guidelines.
"I know for sure I am going to be doing my part and cleaning everything down," said Biaba. "Do the best I can to enjoy my workout but as well help others, help the gym itself, the employees here as well."
Shook said the most important thing for people to remember is they aren't forced to go anywhere if they aren't comfortable. But when they are ready Parkwest Fitness will be open.
"The most important guideline to us though is comfort," said Shook. "So if you are comfortable the door is open for you to use the place. If you are not comfortable yet just wait until such a time that you are."
Shook encourages customers with concerns to reach out so they may help in anyway they can.