Gyms reopen after pause, but owners want more collaboration with state

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WLNE) — As the pause ends, fitness facilities are preparing to get back up and running.

The owner of No Risk Crossfit in Smithfield is beyond frustrated that his members have had to stay away for the last three weeks.

Judah Boulet says he feels gyms have been unfairly targeted when they haven’t been the source of major outbreaks here.

He says the pause denies people a full workout experience at a time when health is more important than ever.

“We want people to be able to come in, be able to get their workouts in, be able to make themselves healthy, and not have any disruption of service,” Boulet said.

He points to the safety protocols he’s implemented, like increased cleaning, hand sanitizer, masks while working out, and a grid dividing the floor into 14-foot squares to keep members socially distant.

But health officials say they’d rather be safe than sorry when it comes to gyms, because people could be moving around, breathing heavily, and spreading droplets.

“We haven’t had any issues,” Boulet said. “So yes, people might breathe heavier in the gyms. But they’re doing their bodies good, they’re doing their minds good, they’re doing their health good. So there has to be some type of trade off.”

He’s concerned he get could get shut down again, arguing gyms should be considered essential.

“The Department of Health recognizes exercise as an essential activity, why aren’t they recognizing us as essential businesses?” Boulet asked.

This week he’s bringing in a shipping container to create additional safe workout space, and he says he wants to collaborate with the health department on more creative ideas.

“Myself and everyone I’ve spoken to, we’ll do whatever it takes to keep our doors open,” he said. “We just want to be part of the solution, and stop being looked at as part of the problem.”