Gym in Concord plans to reopen, defying Gov. Cooper’s executive order

CONCORD, N.C. — A gym in Concord is getting ready to reopen its doors Monday, defying the governor’s executive order.

A member of Sportscenter Athletics, James Gibson, said working out is about staying alive, not looking good.

“I need it to not only survive mentally but to keep myself alive,” Gibson said.

Even with pools opening in Phase 2, getting in the water isn’t something Gibson has been able to do. That’s because the pool he knows best is at the Sportscenter.

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Gyms are supposed to stay closed until Phase 3, but Gibson said he is not waiting any longer.

“I am limited to what I can do physically, so any opportunity to escape even if just temporary is vital,” Gibson said.

On any given day, Gibson can be found working out. Workouts inside a gym are a big part of helping him escape from a chair to which he’s confined to because of his cerebral palsy.

Gibson said he missed the water the most.

“It feels like I have more freedom. I can move a heck of a lot better than I can on land because I’m weightless,” he said.

Although the gym and pool had to shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, the gym plans to reopen June 1, according to its Facebook page.

The move goes directly against North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order. The earliest gyms can legally open is June 26, which is the possible start of Phase 3.

“I don’t want to see anyone get into any kind of serious trouble,” Gibson said.

Even still, Gibson said he agrees with the gym’s decision because he feels it’s what’s best for the community’s well-being.

“You can bet James will be on the first thing hopping back into the Sportscenter because I need that sense of normality back. We need our lives back,” he said.

Channel 9 reached out to Sportscenter Athletics about the decision, but it declined to comment.

According to the post on its Facebook page, the gym said it will have safety precautions in place.

The Sportscenter also tried to open in Phase 1 but the Cabarrus County Health Alliance blocked them from doing so. Channel 9 reached out the agency to see if the gym will be allowed to reopen this time.

Gyms were not included in the modified Phase 2 of Cooper’s order.

That’s why owner of gyms and fitness centers across the state filed a lawsuit this week. They said the restrictions are unconstitutional and violate their right to make a living.

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