Gold’s Gym is a no go for Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The global health crisis has ravaged many a business. A number of gym chains have suffered during this harrowing time. 24 Hour Fitness has been put through the ringer, CEO Tony Ueber recently filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.
Even before 24 Hour Fitness filed for bankruptcy, another gym chain was faced with the same issue. That gym was none other than the iconic bodybuilding training facility Gold’s Gym.
Some of the biggest names in bodybuilding have trained at Gold’s Gym since it’s inception. One such bodybuilder is the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger.
If his seven Olympia victories weren’t enough to make him an icon, Arnold Schwarzenegger went on to dominate the film industry as well as go into politics. All the while Gold’s Gym Venice had been his base of operations for his training.
But it appears that things have changed for the former California governor. Arnold Schwarzenegger has now opted to put his training at Gold’s Gym on hold despite the training facility being open to the public.
Why is Schwarzenegger refusing to train at Gold’s Gym? It would appear the issue has to do with Gold’s Gym health safety policy or lack thereof. Schwarzenegger believes that the gym should enforce stricter rules in regards to wearing face masks. As it stands, Gold’s Gym has no policy about attendees wearing masks to prevent the spread of the sickness sweeping the globe. As such, Arnold Schwarzenegger isn’t training at Gold’s Gym until people wear face masks on the floor or a vaccine is produced.
In reality it makes complete sense, especially when you consider that Arnold Schwarzenegger is 72 years old. There is no reason to put himself at risk especially when you consider that he has his own home gym.
Until Gold’s Gym develops a policy on wearing face masks, it’s unlikely that we’ll see Schwarzenegger step through the front doors of the iconic training facility.
UPDATE: The President & CEO of Gold’s Gym Adam Zeitsiff reached out to Generation Iron to give his official statement on the issue.
“We love Arnold and completely respect his decision. We know that where to go and what to do as the country reopens is an important personal decision that everyone must make for themselves. For the safety of our members and team members who are comfortable returning to the gym, we’ve implemented a comprehensive, phased reopening plan with extensive sanitation, safety and physical distancing protocols in accordance with federal, state and local regulations. In accordance with Los Angeles County guidelines, at Gold’s Gym Venice members are required to wear face masks when entering and exiting the gym. All team members are required to wear gloves and face masks as part of these protocols, and while we don’t require for members to wear face masks during their workout, we absolutely strongly encourage it.”
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Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
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