Fitness fanatics flocked gyms at midnight

Long waiting fitness fanatics ruched to work out in the early hours of Thursday to celebrate the reopening of fitness rooms.

Gyms, museums and cinemas can re-open starting Thursday, while restaurants will be able to stay open for dining-in until 10pm, and can have up to four people per table.

A 24-hour fitness room at Golden Era Plaza in Mong Kok reopened at midnight and saw about six people working out at around 3am.

A man surnamed Wong, who came from Kowloon City for the first workout in months said he could not wait any longer after learning that the fitness room would reopen at midnight. 

"I haven't worked out for months, so came for some exercise right away," Wong said, as he added that he had done simple exercises at home amid the pandemic, but it was not as good as going to the gym.

Another 24-hour fitness chain 24/7 Fitness also announced to resume operations at midnight. At its branch in San Po Kong, there were already five citizens waiting to work out before 12am, and saw dozens more over next half an hour.

A man surnamed Lee, who has been working out for five years, said he was very excited about the reopening, adding that he had put on four to five kilograms from the beginning of this year and "it's time to say goodbye to them".

He also said he did not have to work tomorrow, so left home at 11.50pm to get to the center right on time: "Muscles can't wait! Really have to start now!"

Gordon Nowitzki Yau, chairman of the investigation panel of Hong Kong Fitness Guide, said he was also excited and went to a fitness center at midnight to see the resumption of the industry. 

He revealed that as of 12.30am, he had received reports that some 20 people were working out at other 24-hour gyms, showing the resumption was well-received compared to 30 to 40 people at the same time before the pandemic.

He also said some 20 small and medium-sized gyms have given feedback that 10 to 15 customers have booked for private tutor training on Friday, believing that large gyms may welcome 30 to 40 people per hour tomorrow considering the 50 percent customer limit.