Ballarat gym owners have shared their feelings of relief and excitement following Premier Daniel Andrews' easing of restrictions in regional Victoria on Sunday.
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Indoor gyms and fitness studios will be able to open in regional Victoria from Wednesday.
There will be a cap of 20 people per venue and a maximum of 10 people per space, with a density quotient of one person per eight square metres.
The announcement comes after many gym owners loudly criticised the premier's decision to keep gyms closed while other restrictions were eased.
This step is really positive for our mental health and physical health.
- Sean Weir, Sean Weir Fitness
Sean Weir from Sean Weir Fitness said he and his members were excited to be able to open the gym again.
"It means everything to our members," he said.
"My phone has been ringing off the hook the past hour (after the announcement) with members offering to help get the gym ready and asking if they can come in at midnight on Wednesday morning.
"This step is really positive for our mental health and physical health."
Mr Weir said he had completed a COVID safe plan and had been ready to open for a while, but there was some organising to do before Wednesday.
He said he would call the Department of Health and Human Services for clarification about the number of people allowed in his gym space.
"The fact we got shut down really quick last time is a little bit scary that it could happen again. We are hoping this is it," Mr Weir said.
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Fernwood Ballarat owner Lee Squire said she was happy to be able to re-open the gym and continue to help women with their mental, emotional and physical well-being.
She said her team was well prepared to work within the guidelines.
"I am focusing on controlling what I can, not what I can't," Ms Squire said.
"That is what has kept me positive throughout the whole environment of COVID."
Ms Squire said Fernwood would continue an online live classes and outdoor training, but being able to return to the club would mean a lot to many.
"For some of our members going to the gym is their second home and it is the connection they need," she said.
Ms Squire said she felt positive about the future of the business, with work continuing to prepare a new purpose-built facility on Creswick Road for opening in April.
Integrity Group Fitness Studios owner Tim Graham said he would be busy this week calling all members to touch base.
He said he expected about a third to continue with virtual only classes, a third to do classes in person and a third to continue with both.
Mr Graham said he was comfortable and confident to open up now there was no COVID-19 cases in Ballarat, but agreed with gym shutdowns when the virus was in town.
He said the number limits would not affect small studios as much as big gyms that relied on turnover.
His studio is expecting to be able to cater for all members through virtual, outdoor and indoor class options, despite the limit of 10 people per space.
Mr Graham said one of the biggest challenges would be keeping up with cleaning, with up to 80 to 100 pieces of equipment needing sanitising after each class.
Another challenge will be the continued inability to plan for the future.
"I don't think it is all back to normal and everything is rosy, I am just thinking this is a good step," Mr Graham said.
"I am not confident Victorian people have got their head around what they need to do so I am expecting we will have another lockdown soon.
"Each time we get a step forward or a step back we just have to adapt."