March 26, 2020

This paid piece is sponsored by GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness.

It means literally working around the clock, but GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness has found a way that you can keep going to the gym.

While most of us are asleep, GreatLIFE’s fitness leaders now are out every night extensively cleaning every fitness center that remains open for members.

And that’s most of them. Only Woodlake and Performance Center in Sioux Falls are closed for workouts now, along with GreatLIFE’s Yankton location.

It won’t be what you’re used to, but members will find that when they do go work out, multiple processes are in place to ensure cleanliness and safety.

“We’ve literally got someone at every facility right now, cleaning hourly, sanitizing the entire facility,” vice president of fitness Randall Hill said.

“And we even ordered different cleaning products based on the recommendations of different cleaning companies. The whole process is different. I really feel like we’re making every effort to remain open for members so they have a place to feel safe and comfortable and exercise.”

New rules

Here’s how things have changed:

• All fitness centers are admitting no more than 10 members at one time. Members are asked to limit workouts to 45 minutes or less.
• In between members, there are hourly disinfecting shifts at all locations from 6 a.m to 8 p.m.
• All equipment that is hard to disinfect has been removed.
• There is additional space between all cardio equipment.
• There are no day or week passes allowed at this time. The gyms are for GreatLIFE members only.

There is no longer 24-hour access to the gyms until further notice. New hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the weekend. Woodlake and Performance Center are open for limited individual appointments, including massage.

“The members I’ve talked with about the process have been ecstatic,” Hill said. “We’re doing everything we can, and they’ve been very grateful and thankful. Everyone is just excited to have an opportunity now that the realization has settled in that we’re all in this together.”

Members are reminded to do their part by wiping down equipment before and after each use, washing their hands and staying home if sick.

The city’s guidelines do not include golf courses. GreatLIFE golf courses will be available for walking as weather allows, though access to clubhouses is limited.

Virtual fitness

It also has never been easier for GreatLIFE members to get in a workout without leaving the house.

GreatLIFE’s trainers and nutrition coaches are holding virtual sessions with clients in their homes, Hill said.

“We have trainers who are being very creative with their clients,” he said. “If you’ve got a small weight set at home or a few different things, our trainers can be so creative. They set up a Zoom meeting and do a one-on-one session virtually, so that’s been huge.”

GreatLIFE even can offer its GreatSTART introductory program for people just getting into fitness.

“Members are still excited to keep their routines — even if it means personal training from home,” Hill said.

“It’s so cool for them to be able to continue to work with the person they’ve already made that connection with while still remaining at home. Seeing those relationships continue shows how strong the connection is, which is a huge part of who we are at GreatLIFE.”

GreatLIFE’s Group Fitness Facebook group for members also offers tons of classes that can be done from home. Some already have amassed thousands of views as people try everything from Muscle Max strength training to Zumba and Yoga Sculpt.

“Our group fitness instructors have done an outstanding job connecting with people and keeping them excited and optimistic,” Hill said.

“We’re here to serve our members any way that we can right now. We will be continually exploring creative ways to keep them engaged.”