MEMBERS have spoken of their elation after gyms were given the green light to reopen after lockdown.

Gym-goers have welcomed the news that sites can reopen across the country from December 2 following the Prime Minister's announcement.

Siobhan Roose, a company director from Barrow, said the closure of gyms had a ‘massive’ impact on her physical and mental health.

The 34-year-old, who trains at Ironwerx Gym, said: “For someone who has trained consistently for years, to suddenly having yet again no access to the gyms has had a huge impact both mentally and physically on myself. It’s completely knocked me out of routine.

“I’ve found myself lost at times. The gym is my happy place, it’s somewhere where I know I can go and forget about everything. Some people may not understand the effects it has on someone’s mental health but it’s like an escape for some of us.

“It’s like a mental release even if it’s only for an hour a day. It’s unfair the gyms were shut down giving the minimal transmission that was proven.

“It’s a huge relief to hear they won’t be closing again even on tier three restrictions. We are all a family at Ironwerx and we all share our problems. I’d go as far as saying it’s almost like a counselling session once you’ve been; I always leave feeling uplifted and mentally so much better.”

Tom Allen, from Barrow, also trains at Ironwerx and said his ‘life has not been the same’ without the gym.

“Training at Ironwerx is important to my own personal mental health, not just because of training but the social aspect of seeing my friends that train there to,” he said.

“It’s obvious to me that the Government is in favour of keeping public houses open purely to gain the revenue from alcohol and then contradict themselves by closing gyms when members adhere to the guidelines - that’s my opinion but an opinion shared by many who I talk to.”

Chelsea Crowe, a body-building mum from Barrow, said: “In the past I have suffered with mental health problems. For me the gym is my safe place where I can go and unwind and release any stress or tension I may feel and channel my mood into my workout.

“When the announcement came of a second lockdown and gyms were to close I felt really deflated and was worried I’d end up having to live without structure or routine.

"It has been proven that the infection rate in gyms is very low and I am pleased they will be reopening next week, not just for my own mental health, but for a lot of other people who I know also struggle.”