‘Give me gains or give me death’: Florida residents protest gyms not reopening yet in the state

Protesters were filmed performing push-ups and squats while outside Clearwater Courthouse

Florida residents who are members of gyms have demanded officials reopen the businesses during a protest which involved them performing a series of workout moves.

Protesters gathered outside Clearwater Courthouse in Clearwater on Monday as the state entered into Phase One of its reopening strategy during the coronavirus pandemic. But gyms weren’t expected to reopen until the second phase, which upset members.

Pictures and videos from the protest showed a group of about 20 to 30 people carrying signs that read “Give me gains or give me death” and “We will not comply”. A majority of the group were not wearing masks or practising social distancing.

They also performed a series of workout moves in front of the courthouse, including squats and push-ups. Some members in the group said they represented the “fittest protest in America”.

But showing off their ability to perform workout moves outside of a gym setting potentially backfired for protesters, with critics online pointing out these people clearly didn’t rely on a gym to stay healthy.

“If you can do squats and push ups on the sidewalk, you can do them in your living room and don’t need to be at the gym,” a Twitter user named Summer wrote after viewing the footage.

Gyms are one industry among many that has been unable to remain open during the coronavirus pandemic. In an effort to stay alive, gyms have offered members special packages if they kept their membership and provided virtual workouts.

States are prioritising differently when they’ll allow gyms to reopen, with some like Georgia opening them in the first wave of businesses while others hold off.

Companies have vowed to space out gym equipment, encourage members to follow social distancing guidelines when working out, and maintain a strict sanitation schedule upon reopening. But health officials have still expressed concerns over potential coronavirus outbreaks in a gym setting.

In Florida, gyms opening in the second phase of the reopening process could only operate at a 75 per cent capacity. Buildings would also have to abide by strict social distancing and sanitation measures.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has faced a backlash for taking longer than other state governors to shut down areas of the state during the pandemic. But the state has largely avoided an overwhelming insurgence of the novel virus.

Confirmed infections for Florida stand at more than 42,000 cases and 1,829 people have died from Covid-19.

Officials have not revealed yet when the second phase of reopening would start for Florida.