September 04, 2025
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Adair County Health and Fitness Center opened Friday under new restrictions

By TYLER VANDEWATER

This picture shows fitness equipment rearranged in the weight room at Adair County Health and Fitness Center Tuesday, a few days after the center reopened under heavy restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak. (Photo by)

GREENFIELD— Governor Kim Reynolds announced April 27 that select restaurants, gyms, and stores could re-open with restrictions May 1.

Along with many gyms in Iowa, the Adair County Health and Fitness Center decided to re-open its doors to the public. However, this decision was not made lightly, and tons of thought went into an important decision.

Jennifer Garside is the President of the Fitness Center Board. She and her fellow board members have been working vigorously to find a plan to safely and efficiently re-open the fitness center.

“Most importantly we are following the governor’s guidelines. We can only open at 50% capacity, which really isn’t a big deal considering our building is so big,” Garside said.

She thinks a big change for members of the fitness center will be the weight equipment that has been moved around.

“We’ve moved a lot of equipment, to help and give members more than six feet apart,” Garside said.

Another point that was brought up is the slogan currently being used by many gyms and fitness centers. “One Machine in Between”, is what they are encouraging people to do, meaning leave one exercise machine between you and the next person working out.

The fitness center has also added new policies, all to help deter the coronavirus. These include that no one under the age of 18 is allowed in the building, locker rooms are closed, the building is open to members only, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday - Friday is designated for those 65 years and older, expecting mothers and those susceptible to health issues.

The Adair County Health and Fitness Center is also excited to offer free fitness classes for the month of May. With weather permitting, the classes will be held on the concrete slab south of the building. Social distancing will be followed and no more than 10 people will be allowed per class. They are offering three different classes and time slots may be found at the Adair County Health and Fitness Center Facebook page.