Gym Update: Monday Reopening
In light of Governor Ivey’s recent mandate, Nexus Fitness will reopen Monday, May 11. Class signups are now available in Zenplanner.
At Nexus Fitness, our members come first. During this time, our number one priority is the health and safety of our members. While we have been given the green light to reopen, we have committed to following all of the recommended safety guidelines from the CDC and government.
That means our classes will look a little different than they used to as we slowly transition back to normal. As much as we would love to resume our usual style of classes, we need to ensure that our members and coaches feel safe and comfortable. Nexus isn’t just a gym; it’s a community. That’s why your cooperation and support during this time is so important to us and to our journey back to normalcy.
Below are descriptions of how Nexus Fitness will be reopening and what you can expect regarding class structure and staff efforts. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@nexusbirmingham.com!
While we are taking precautions, we are so grateful for the opportunity to reopen. Most of all, we are excited to get back into the gym with everyone!
Class sizes, times and how it works:
Our reopening will begin with smaller class sizes to ensure that everyone is maintaining social distancing guidelines and staying six feet apart throughout the class. For both CrossFit and X4, the new class sizes will be limited to twelve members per class. Note: given the sensitivity of this situation, class sizes may be subject to change on a daily basis upon evaluation.
Our staff and members will need adequate time before and after classes to properly wipe down equipment. To help make that possible, classes will be 45 minutes. Class times will remain the same.
Signing up for classes:
Sign-ups will occur on a first-come-first-serve basis through ZenPlanner. Our $8 cancellation fee will remain in place, but we ask that members take extra caution when booking classes, since space is limited. Should you need to cancel, please ensure to do so no later than two hours before the scheduled class time.
Members will not be allowed into the gym until all stations have been sanitized and members from the previous class have left the building. View the FAQ below for a more detailed description of our sanitization plan.
If you came by to grab equipment to use at home and plan on attending classes again, we ask that you please bring this equipment back so it can be used in classes!
For the month of May, we will continue to implement the Pay What You Can policy.
When you arrive for class…
Remember to adhere to six-feet of social distancing when parking and waiting to enter the building. Coaches will invite members inside when appropriate; we ask that you do not enter the building until specified. All members for CrossFit entering through double doors, and all X4 members entering through the back X4 door. Water foundations will not be in use, so we ask that each member brings a prefilled bottle.
On the CrossFit side when you enter you will be assigned a number. (For Example: “Athlete 1”) After you receive your number, you will see a taped box on the floor with your number in the box. That is the area you and your belongings will stay in for the workout unless instructed by a coach. No two CrossFit members will ever use the same equipment.
On the X4 side, to prevent the use of shared equipment, tape will be placed on the floor to divide the room in half, and switching will be limited to two sections (TRX/Capacity, Trueform/Torpedos) instead of four. Coaches will be equipped with spray bottles and paper towels. Before equipment use and after equipment use, the member will receive a sprayed paper towel to wipe their section. That paper towel is thrown away and a new paper towel is issued to the member, by the coach on the next rotation.
Six feet of distance will be indicated on the floor with tape. All coaches will wear face masks, but members are not required to. After workouts, members will clean what they have used and exit out the front of the building. The next class is allowed in after the coach has finished thoroughly cleaning.
Facility updates:
Until further notice, the water fountains, showers, sauna and child care room will not be available. Individual X4 bathrooms will remain open for emergencies, but CrossFit bathrooms will be closed. This is to prevent members from gathering in areas that do not allow for six feet between themselves and others, and to help keep the facilities sanitized. We will specify which entrance will be used for entrance and for exit only to promote socially distanced traffic.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Will child care still be provided?
No, child care will not be available at this time.
Can I get to class early to stretch?
Members will be allowed into the gym five minutes before their scheduled class time or when all members from the previous class have left the building Nexus team has completed their sanitizing tasks.
What if I am worried that coming back to the gym is not best for my health or the health of a loved one?
The health and safety of our members are our top priority. While we are working hard to ensure that we are following state, CDC and EPA cleaning procedures and practices, we understand if you are not ready to come back. If you or a loved one fall into the higher risk category for COVID-19, we ask that you please stay home. While we would love to have you back in the gym, we want to ensure your safety. We will continue to post workout demos on Instagram stories in the evenings.
What precautions are Nexus taking to sanitize everything between classes?
The Nexus staff will be sanitizing all surfaces before and after each class. Our staff will use a Clorox/bleach cleaning solution that has been recommended by the CDC and EPA in the fight against COVID-19. The areas and items that will be cleaned are listed but not limited to, all handles (including doors, sink handles and toilet handles), all equipment (rowers, ski-ers, TrueForms, torpedoes, TRX straps, mats, barbells, plates, mats, medicine balls and kettlebells), entire gym floors, electronics, and more. Nexus staff members are required to wash their hands prior to and after cleaning between classes.
Doors and fans will remain open and on at all times to minimize the touching of door handles and keep airflow active. Members should consider leaving their phones and wallets in their cars to minimize the exposure by the cubbies. We also ask that all members enter through the backside of the gym and exit through the front once class is over. All coaches will wear a facemask during the classes.
Until further notice there will be no use of gym chalk, sauna, showers, bathrooms on CrossFit side, water fountains, cubbies or childcare room. When Nexus is up and running at full force, we will start the discussion and guidelines for those areas and supplies. Areas could be marked off with tape to ensure no one uses them. This is to protect our members and ensure everything can be wiped down and remain sanitized. We are encouraging members to use the restroom prior to coming to the gym. The individual restrooms on the X4 side will be available for use and will be cleaned and wiped down after each use.
What detailed sanitation plan does Nexus have in place?
We have ordered Clorox Germicidal Bleach and will be using a mixture of 5 tablespoons of Clorox/1 gallon of water to clean all areas of the gym.
The following items will be cleaned before and after every class:
- Door handles on exterior doors and interior doors
- Light switches
- Bathroom faucets, sinks and toilets
- All surface area of water fountains
- Every Plate, Barbell, Dumbbell, Torpedo, Jumprope, Wallball, Slamball, Kettlebell, Pull-up bar (On X4 side and CrossFit side), bands attached to rig for stretching, TRX strap, Boxes on X4 side, Benches on X4 side, benches on CrossFit side, small plates hanging, on rigs, PVC pipes, clips for barbells, rings, straps for rings, ab mats, yoga mats, amper, seat, handles, keypad, foot straps
The following items will be cleaned after every use:
- Vending machine keypad and keys
- Refrigerator handles and microwave keypad
- Lounge area
- Remote controls on both sides and iPad screens
- Coach’s markers, boards and computers
- Cubbies interior and exterior
- Air temperature control
- Blue steel column between pull-up bars
Are class times still the same? Can I still sign up on Zen Planner?
Yes, class times are the same and will be posted in Zenplanner. Members should still sign up for a class through Zenplanner. Please note that class times may change or be adjusted as needed. Follow us on social media (@nexusfitnessbhm) to stay updated on any class time changes!
Will class structure remain the same?
Classes will be structured differently during this time. Both CrossFit and X4 will be limited to 12 members per class and classes will be 45 minutes. On the X4 side, there will be three members per station, and members will not be allowed to use the equipment or machine right next to the other member. Chalk will not be permitted for use during this time.
What is the cancellation policy for new classes?
Members must cancel two hours prior to the registered class time. A no-show will result in an $8 no-show fee. We ask that members be courteous during this time and transition. Since signups based on class sizes will be limited, we ask that you cancel vs taking the no-show fee to give other members the opportunity to work out. As always, if you must cancel after the two hours, please text Haley Hill at (205) 757-3518 to be taken out of the class.
Is the community area/couches area open? Can we catch up after class?
No, members will be asked to exit the gym using the front entrances quickly after class. We want to ensure that everyone is following the social distancing guidelines and staying at least six feet apart before, during and after classes. While we would love to hang out after classes, we ask that you be mindful of your health and others and catch up with your fellow members online or via phone after classes!
What if I’m not ready to come back to Nexus? Can I still keep my loaned equipment?
Yes! We want you to be able to complete your at-home workouts! During this transition time, we will continue to offer demos on Instagram stories every evening.
Do I have to bring back my loaned equipment if I come back to classes?
Yes, we are asking that if you are able to come back to the gym and classes that you bring back your piece of loaned equipment. This way, you and others will be able to use it for classes! We will sanitize all loaned pieces of equipment prior to making it available in the gym and will clean each piece of equipment after use and classes.
How does this affect my membership cost?
Nexus will continue to offer the Pay What You Can Policy. We understand that this is a difficult time for many and some may not be able to join us back in the gym yet. We do ask that if you are able to come to classes, that you pay your full membership cost. While our class times are shorter, we are ensuring that the quality of the workout and class are premium.
I have more questions! What do I do?
Please reach out to our gym manager, Haley Hill, at haley@nexusbirmingham.com with any questions you have! We will happily assist you during this time.