Local gym owners, members looking to make the most of time during business hiatus

Upstate Empire Fitness in Utica closed at 8 p.m.

Monday in mandated state-wide shutdown

Daily lives - tonight its chchallelenged our options foning!

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect our daily lives - tonight itsts challenged our options for fititness.

That plate has been removed from the m machine for the final time in who knows how long.

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Uch as restaurants - bars and gyms mandated to close at eight p-m across the state - upstate empire fitness in utica went from being 24-hour access - t to no access at all.

Alyssa devins: i feel like we are kind of mom and dad and we just laid down n the law with our ki because they are definitely upset about it and very frustrated but we kind of have to say this is what's come down and we have to follow through and this is for you as well because we want to keep our member safe we care about them as if they were our r family so let's keep everybody safe and healthy so we can get back in here.

Though the owners of the gym don't know when they're doors will open to the public again - they said ttthey will use this time to positively impact ththeir business moving forward.

Alyssa devins: we've got to find a silvlver lining in all this we can't just sit at home twiddlingng our thumbs and just wait.

So my husband and i will be in here cleaning all of the equipment, we've already got some more sanitizing stuff in, we are actutually going to take advantage and do some rearranging, which being a 24 hour gym and having people in here all of the time makes s it difficult.

We have some painting projects we want to do so we'll stay busy and make it better for when everybody cocomeses back.

For members - the closure of the e gym is creating a big void in daily life.

Mike lackey: a lot of people don't have gym equipmement at closuref the gym is creating a big void in daily life.

Mimike lackey: a lot of people don't have gym equipment at home or stuff they can do at home they come here and their traineners e here so to be able to come one day and not the next it's a little crazy athletes as well and that has been shut down for ththem, they are getting ready for any type of event so that's frustrating to put your heart and d soul into something and have it kind of squashed.

Spencer davidson: and for many members here at upstate empire fititness this isn't only messing with their work out plans but also their social life.

Mike lackey: we work and we pretttty much just hang out here this is like our friend group is basically out of this gym so without coming here we probably won't see each other as much.

Upstate empire fitness will be offering workout programs - classes nutrition tips and more online during this hiatus.

Devins said this time doesn'n't have to halt your gains.

Alyssa devins: rest and recovery are e also really important for health or even important for musclele building so taking advantage of the rest time, the weather is turning so let's get outside let's be actitive outside our kids are he let's be activive with them and set a good example for them until l the