What Stage 3 reopening plan means for gyms, fitness studios in Indiana

Gyms and fitness studios in Indiana will not have to wait much longer to reopen, officials announced Wednesday.

The next phase of Gov. Eric Holcomb's reopening plan, Stage 3, is being implemented ahead of schedule. The third phase will begin Friday, May 22, for most Indiana counties, two days earlier than the original date of May 24.

Holcomb announced the change in a Wednesday afternoon press conference.

The counties hardest hit by the coronavirus — Lake, Marion and Cass — will be eligible to enter Stage 3 on June 1.

Stage 3 will allow gyms and fitness centers to open with restrictions, according to Holcomb's plan. Class sizes must be limited and accommodate social distancing, and employees will be required to wear face coverings.

It remains to be seen how gyms and studios will adjust to the restrictions and when they will choose to reopen.

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Planet Fitness, which has remained closed since March 17, said on its website that it's switching to a touchless check-in system, instead of checking in with an employee, and will use fewer cardio machines in order to properly distance the equipment.

Anytime Fitness will require hand-washing before and after workouts, limit gym capacity and prohibit contact training. Its locations have not yet reopened.

Orange Theory, which is also closed, will have its employees wear gloves and masks and undergo daily temperature checks.

Indiana reported 581 new coronavirus cases and 38 new deaths Wednesday, 30 of which came in the last three days. These new reports bring the state's totals to 29,274 cases and 1,716 deaths.

IndyStar reporter Elizabeth DePompei contributed to this report.

Contact IndyStar reporter Crystal Hill at 317-444-6094 or cnhill@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @crysnhill.