Millions of fitness fanatics across the UK have been without their gyms since the start of the year, following the latest coronavirus lockdown.
Gyms and leisure centres were among the businesses to close their doors in a bid to control the coronavirus pandemic – but with case numbers dropping as the vaccination programme is rolled out, they are among the places which can now re-open.
But just what are the new rules surrounding gyms as they open their doors once more – and will you need to work out alone or will classes start once again?
Here’s all you need to know.
When will gyms reopen in England?
Non-essential businesses – including gyms – are opening again from Monday April 12, as confirmed by Boris Johnson in an announcement the previous week.
Indoor gyms and leisure facilities, such as swimming pools, will be permitted to reopen, but the requirements for social contact in indoor settings will continue.
This means that social distancing and other Covid-safe precautions will need to be taken and exercising indoors will only be permitted alone or with members of your own household.
Will group exercise classes resume?
At the moment indoor group exercise classes are still not allowed – although it’s hoped these will be able to resume after May 17, which is the date set for the next potential easing of lockdown restrictions.
According to EMD UK, the national governing body for group exercise, classes can only currently take place outdoors.
They have said on their website that group activities with up to 30 people can take place outdoors, but these must follow Covid secure guidelines such as social distancing.
However, outdoor sports such as golf and tennis returned on March 29.
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi explained that outdoor sports were allowed to return before gyms because transmission rates for coronavirus are much higher in indoor facilities compared to being outdoors.
‘The simple way to look at this is that outdoor is safer and therefore we prioritise versus indoor,’ he told LBC.
‘Outdoor sports – tennis, golf, outdoor organised team sports, grassroots football – will go back on March 29.’
Pushed on when gyms and fitness centres could reopen, he added: ‘At the moment, it’s outdoors versus indoors. Outdoors is the priority because it’s where the transmission rates are much, much, much lower.’
When will gyms reopen in Scotland?
Gyms in Scotland will reopen from April 26 for individual exercise, according to the new roadmap outlined by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on March 16.
Group exercise in gyms and adult outdoor contact sport will be allowed from May 17.
It is expected that swimming pools and other leisure activities will also resume from the same date.
When will gyms reopen in Wales?
Gym-goers in Wales will have to wait until May 3 for their next training session. Individual training and one-to-one sessions will be allowed from this date, but not exercise classes.
Classes would return the following week, on May 17 – but limited to a maximum of 15 people.
However, organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people will be allowed again from May 3.
When will gyms reopen in Northern Ireland?
It has not yet been confirmed when gyms in Northern Ireland could reopen.
From April 12, and subject to agreement after Easter weekend, sports training will be allowed to resume with affiliated sports clubs, limited to 15 people.
Northern Ireland has also agreed to increase the provision for elite sports from March 25 to allow a number of new competitions to begin.
First Minister Arlene Foster said a ‘minor adjustment’ to the restrictions would allow two World Cup qualification matches scheduled for March 25 and 31 to take place – although, spectators will not be allowed.
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