Anytime Fitness stresses safety, social distance

Anytime Fitness has reopened after being closed during the lockdown and is welcoming back its members and says it has plenty of room for newcomers.

Owners Stacy Juarez and her sister, Ginger Skaggs, take turns manning the front desk.

While practicing social distancing, Juarez proudly showed off how the gym has been able to maintain the required safe distance between treadmill and stairmaster machines. Every other treadmill has a large sign, so users don't have to worry about maintaining a safe distance from others.

"We closed the gym from March 19 through June 2020," she said. "We just reopened June 22."

Attendees are encouraged to wear masks upon entering Anytime Fitness, but the owners understand it can be difficult to continue wearing a mask while exercising.

"People get sweaty and have a hard time breathing while exercising," Juarez said.

The showers continue to be taped off and are not in use. Before the virus, Juarez said, the facility was open 24 hours a day so out-of-town truck drivers who were members that arrived after hours and needed to shower were able to do so. Now that the showers are taped off, that is no longer possible.

"Because of covid-19, our new hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m," Juarez said. "We are closed Sunday."

When it first opened, the gym offered classes; however, Juarez said classes are no longer being held. "Clients come in and either use the machines or do weightlifting," she said.

Juarez said the gym offers a seven-day free pass for those who wishes to try out the facility and see if it works for them.

Anyone is welcome to stop by Anytime Fitness and request a pass.

Juarez said that either she or her sister is always present to answer any questions that might come up.

"My sister and I investigated several different gym franchises, and we decided on Anytime Fitness," she said.

Prior to opening Anytime Fitness, Juarez was a dental assistant. Once she and her husband decided they wanted to raise a family in their small town of Wasco, they relocated from Orange County back to Wasco and opened the business. Juarez said she is happy to be back home.

Anytime Fitness in Wasco currently has 900 members.

Membership costs very according to the length of your contract. A one-year contract costs $38 a month; an 18-month contract is $34 a month, and a 23-month contract costs $30 a month.

New members can use a checking account or debit or credit card from which monthly dues will be automatically deducted.

Anytime Fitness also offers a senior hour from 9 to 10 a.m. by reservation only.

Anytime Fitness is located at the Tropicana Shopping Center, 2445 Highway 46. They can be reached at 661-758-4500.