Baser Amer taking cautious approach as gyms reopen

Meralco guard set to reopen the two branches of his Hammer Fitness gym
Aug 2, 2020

THE FITNESS industry is slowly reopening as the government eases up its regulations, even while the country is still battling the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting yesterday, August 1, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for Emerging Infectious Diseases has allowed gyms to restart operations, as long as they're not establishments for contact sports like boxing, karate, and the like.

And as much as that means good news for gym owners, it also comes with its own set of precautions.

Meralco guard Baser Amer is set to reopen the two branches of his Hammer Fitness gym in Cainta and San Mateo, but he still has his own worries when it comes to the safety and well-being of his customers.

"Syempre mayroon akong kaba. Lahat naman ata tayo may pangamba kahit saan tayo magpunta," he said.

The province of Rizal, where Hammer Fitness is located, was recently placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) on August 1.

Amer understands the risks, and it's the main driving force why he's doing everything he can to make his Hammer Fitness branches safe for his gym goers.

"That’s why we are preparing for our reopening and putting our feet in the shoes of our clients, kung ang minimum health standards ba ay sapat na or kailangan pa naming higpitan. The gym is their second home and we want to give them the security," he said.

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In line with this, Hammer Fitness has instituted a seven-step process for its trainees.

First is an online booking to reserve a time slot inside its gym, which patrons can do on Hammer Fitness' Facebook page.

Users must then file their health declaration forms before they head to the facility.

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Once they get to the gym, there will be a mandatory temperature check and customers must wear face masks at all times as they train. Sanitizing stations are also available all over the gym. Coaches present will disinfect the equipments after every use, but customers are implored to pitch in as well.

Hammer Fitness will also adopt an online transaction for payments to reduce physical contact.

Amer said that their gyms will only allow 15 trainees at a time as they observe a reduced capacity for social distancing.

Since the gyms will only operate on a skeleton crew basis, two coaches will also be in rotation and will be responsible for disinfecting the facility.

"Tinutulungan nila kami mag-prepare para sa re-opening," Amer said of his gym coaches. "I think mas excited sila kaysa sa amin kasi pamilya na nila ang mga clients namin and they can’t wait to go back to work."

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Gym buffs are already aching to lift those weights, the former San Beda court general said, as their loyal customers have been raring for them to resume operations.

"Even before i-allow ng government na mag-open ang gym, everyday may magme-message sa page namin regarding our reopening. Hindi rin namin in-expect ang warm response nila sa pagbabalik namin," he said.

It has been a tough five months for Amer to have Hammer Fitness close its doors, and their eventual return only puts a smile on his face as it allows his employees to once again earn for a living.

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"Halos five months din kaming out of business kaya we are grateful to be back. It's not just for me as a business owner, but also for our employees. Makakabalik trabaho na rin sila and we’ll be able to be of service to our clients. This will not be possible without the help of our landlords and suppliers like Xtreme Gym Equipment who helped us come through the tough times of this pandemic," he said.

Hammer Fitness Cainta will open next week, with operating hours starting at 7 a.m. from Monday to Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday, and will close at 5 p.m.

Amer is preparing the reopening of his San Mateo branch in September.

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