OKOTOKS — Gary Piper has been in the fitness industry since 1989 and started G3 Fitness in Okotoks in August of 2011, providing personal training, fit-camp classes, yoga, and weight loss nutrition.
“I wanted to fix the problems of the big box gyms and give people the experience and the results they need and deserve,” Piper says.
Like many other businesses, he was forced to close his doors March 15 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We actually have number of clients cancel their memberships because they have been out of work as well,” he explains.
Piper, like many business owners during these challenging times, looked into the support available and is using the small business loan and CERB benefit to stay afloat. But as an agile, innovative business that cares about the health of the community, Piper continues to look for ways to teach and inspire those looking to become fit and healthy.
“We have created online virutal classes to keep clients moving and maintain that sense of community,” he explains. “We are still offering virtual memberships, and they are free until the reopening. Just trying our best to help our members and the community.”
G3 Fitness is ready to reopen during Stage of the economic relaunch.
“We have taken additional measures to ensure the safety of members and staff, including adding barriers, social distancing markers, hand sanitizing stations, limiting class size, and increasing cleaning protocols,” Piper says.
Nerissa McNaughton is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Great West Newspapers. This story was funded by the Facebook Journalism Project Supporting Local News Coverage of COVID-19 Program via the Local Media Foundation.
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