Gov. Phil Murphy says gyms and health clubs in New Jersey can reopen at 25% capacity from their COVID-19 pause starting Tuesday, Sept. 1. 

Murphy said Wednesday the change had been “a long time coming,” but was on hold because indoor facilities presented risks for the spread of the virus.

“Gyms are among the most challenging of indoor environments, as noted by multiple epidemiologists and experts, even in the past couple of days,” Murphy said. “But given where we are in this fight, we believe we are ready to take this step forward."

Gym owners have been struggling over the past five months to stay in business amid the shutdown.

Billy Olson owns 18 Planet Fitness locations in southern New Jersey. He says that all of his locations will be reopening on Tuesday with new COVID-friendly designs.

“We’re going to be working morning, noon and night, as they say. We will be ready,” Olson says.

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Two weeks ago, Olson opened an outdoor gym at his Haddon Township location, with gym-goers flocking to come work out.

“I was doing a lot of YouTube videos, but it just wasn’t the same. I miss lifting and using the machines and all that,” says Alexis Sample of Vineland.

But working out indoors means more restrictions. At the Planet Fitness locations, all machines must be spaced a safe distance apart and yellows signs indicate that some machines cannot be used. Masks will be required and the gym will keep a log of members for contact tracing.

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And when it comes to cleaning, Olson says, “We’ve been cleaning before anyone, essentially. That’s part of our DNA.”

The New Jersey Department of Health will be releasing guidance on cleaning and other protocols later. But Olson says that safety is non-negotiable.

“If someone doesn’t follow the protocols, either staff or team member or a member there, they won’t be here anymore,” he says. “We are going to take our responsibility very seriously.”

The governor’s announcement also applies to indoor amusement facilities. Murphy says there were about 300 positive cases reported overnight, putting the total at over 190,000. He says there were 11 deaths reported overnight, putting the toll at 14,134.

The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.