Under Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery” plan, only appointment-based training with one client per 500 square feet is allowed at gyms.
In east central Spokane, Dūrātus Strength & Conditioning is slowing starting to welcome members back. In the last 10 months, they, along with gyms across the state, have been forced to close their doors twice and were just recently allowed to re-open at a limited capacity.
State public health officials have been wary about easing restrictions on gyms and fitness centers, citing that COVID-19 can spread more easily indoors where people are talking loudly, singing or breathing hard.
While the pandemic’s long-term impact on people’s mental health and stress remains unclear, what is clear, according to Professor of Psychology at Washington State University Chris Barry, is that exercise helps.