Seymour gym closes amid pandemic

CW Fitness, a Seymour gym in business for four years, closed its doors on Sunday. Sept. 27, 2020. The gym located in the Klarides Village Shopping Center on Bank Street, is the latest business to close because of the coronavirus pandemic.

SEYMOUR — CW Fitness, a Valley gym in business for four years, closed its doors on Sunday.

The gym located in the Klarides Village Shopping Center on Bank Street, is the latest business to close because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Owner Chris Wares announced the closing on the gym’s Facebook page. On Monday morning, there was sign on the door that thanked members for “four great years.”

Wares said, “2020 has changed the fitness industry along with many others. I see full service big box, membership gyms being a thing of the past very soon.”

Ware went on Facebook Live to thank members and ask for their patience on information on refunds.

“I’m going to make everything right,” he said.

He said said there is a “chance” that a new owner may take over the business.

“If that’s the case, everything will be honored,” he said.

He asked members to check CW Fitness Facebook page or provide their email address for updates.

Connecticut gyms, sports clubs and fitness studios closed for months because of COVID-19, were allowed to reopen in June with strict social distancing requirements.

The guidelines state “establishments that require customers to wear a mask while exercising must maintain 6 feet of space between equipment. Establishments that do not require customers to wear a mask while exercising must maintain 12 feet of space between equipment.”

CW Fitness required people to wear masks while not using working out and to wipe down machines before and after use. The Seymour gym also moved some of the machines into an indoor basketball court to provide more distancing.

Although some gyms reopened, few people returned.

A recent survey by RunRepeat, found only about 31 percent of gym members have returned since the COVID-19 lockdown. The survey also found that nearly 60 percent have either canceled or are considering canceling their gym memberships.