The coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and the state of emergency (S.O.E.) lockdown that followed has slashed numbers at two local gyms as they reopen for business following the relaxing of S.O.E. rules.

Fitness instructors and a manager at the Mai Gym and Joe's Gym say they have reopened after SOE orders were relaxed by the Government. 

But Vernon Westerlund and Sam Kalolo, who are fitness instructors at Mai Gym, told Samoa Observer that business is slow despite resuming their fitness classes after SOE orders were relaxed by the Government.

"Right now, business is not the same as before, it's really slow, we still do our fitness classes but the number of students have dropped. We deal with the burning of fats and most of all it's the fitness that we focus on," says Mr Westerlund.

"So I do morning and afternoon classes which Sam helps out with as well, and he does some afternoon classes and evening classes too, the turn up we had before the lockdown happened was 20 plus students but now there's only 15 max.”

Mr Kalolo added that the Mai Gym on Cross Island Road is open to the public and as instructors they are there to assist anyone who needs help.

"We are done  with our afternoon classes and as we await for the evening classes to start, this time around we will wait for anyone that comes and wants to use our gym," he added.

You don't need to be a member to use the gym, according to the duo, as a T$10 fee gives you full access to the facility.

As for Joe's Gym at Lotopa, business is also slow with few people using it since its reopening, though the numbers have dropped, says Manager Clint Keil.

"For the classes that we have we usually have 35 plus and now it's a 20 minus, our business is slow because of the SOE that is still ongoing," he added.

While business is slowly picking up, the gym owners and employees acknowledge they have bills to pay, hence they will stay open and hope the numbers increase over time.