What you can expect as gyms reopen in Western Pa.

Plexiglass between treadmills. New cleaning machines. Limited occupancy and hours.

These are some of the new safety protocols people can expect as gyms reopen during the pandemic.

Josh Eller owns Leap Fitness Center in Lower Burrell. When his gym reopened, he had several new safety measures in place. He installed sanitizing stations throughout the facility, moved equipment to encourage social distancing and bought cleaning spray and rags so members can wipe down their machines.

At Building Bodeez Fitness Center in Derry, owner Hayley Chemski Horwat said she felt she had the knowledge to keep her clients safe and informed. She is a nurse anesthetist.

“We sent our members a wealth of information regarding the pandemic and transmission of covid-19, so the transition to reopening was smooth, as we were all educating ourselves together,” she said.

Horwat said her new guidelines include a screening questionnaire and confirmation that each member acknowledges the new guidelines.

Though employees are sanitizing equipment regularly, Horwat said she also is asking clients to clean equipment before and after use.

In Mt. Lebanon, Mecka Fitness Center enacted its own cleaning protocols.

General Manager April Jackson said employees areusing a sanitizing machine to thoroughly disinfect the facility.

Jackson said members clean equipment after each use, which was standard practice prior to the pandemic. The staff cleans again after each class.

Plexiglas has also been installed between treadmills, Jackson said.

Owner Kevin Beamon said his main concern is helping members abide by social distancing guidelines.

“We want people to get in and out,” he said. “We’re trying to not let people congregate.”

Jackson said fitness classes currently operate at half capacity with staggered start times. Members have to reserve spots.

There are squares taped on the ground to designate an individual’s personal space during classes.

For spin classes, there’s a limited number of bikes, spaced 6 feet apart.

Jackson said members are asked to use different doors for different classes. Employees are stationed at both doors to check everyone’s temperature before entering.

At C.S. Kim Karate in North Huntingdon, owner Elizabeth Lindsay said her students always have cleaned after class.

But she’s facing a unique challenge. “You really can’t do martial arts without a partner,” Lindsay said. She explained classes typically involve sparring and self-defense drills.

Despite the restrictions, Lindsay said it felt good to regain a sense of community by training together again.

At Mecka Fitness Center, David Horton said he, too, was glad to be back with his gym community.

“I feel like the gym is a place of refuge,” he said.

Despite safety protocols, Eller said he’s worried about liability issues if someone contracts the virus at his facility.

“We’re going to make everybody sign a covid waiver,” he said.

Even as gyms reopen, some people still question the safety.

According to Pittsburgh-based infectious disease and critical care physician Dr. Amesh Adalja, when to return to the gym is a personal choice.

“It’s going to be up to the individuals,” Adalja said. “I don’t think it’s irresponsible to go to the gym.”

Galen Hatcher of Forest Hills said he’s been to LA Fitness in Monroeville twice since it reopened.

“I was apprehensive in the beginning,” Hatcher said. “The very first time back, they made me feel comfortable.”

Emily Heim said she was eager to return to Mecka Fitness Center. “They’ve been really good with communicating safety protocols,” she said. “This was something I was really ready to get back to.”

As gyms work to keep facilities safe, members have an obligation to adhere to safety precautions, Adalja said.

“If you feel unsafe, you should leave and notify the manager of the gym,” Adalja said.

The use of face coverings — recommended by health experts when social distancing is difficult — varies among facilities.

Horwat said she’s making masks optional, because she’s confident her other precautions have created a safe enough environment.

“We believe that the social distancing we are employing, as well as other mitigation tactics we have in place, will provide adequate protection for our clients as they enjoy exercise,” she said.

At Leap Fitness Center and Mecka Fitness Center, members have to wear masks to enter and exit the building. People can decide whether they want to wear a mask while exercising.

Lindsay said masks are optional at her C.S. Kim Karate location. She said she tried exercising in three different types of masks and found them all problematic. But she said she encourages people to wear masks if it makes them comfortable.

“I want to respect people’s decision either way,” she said.

Adalja specifically warned against exercising with N95 or KN95 masks. “Those masks do impede breathing,” he said.

As for homemade masks, Adalja said they may be uncomfortable, but they shouldn’t restrict breathing as much.

But Adalja said they may not provide much protection.

Despite safety precautions, some people are still hesitant to go to the gym.

“You can tell some people are really scared when they come in,” Eller said. He said he tries to make people comfortable by explaining the new safety procedures.

For those who are ready to return to the gym, Jackson said it’s all about balancing safety precautions and risks.

“Wellness encompasses your physical, mental and emotional health,” she said. “If we use common-sense measures, we can find that balance.”