Back in the Gym

Ryan Powers started working for Xperience Fitness in Suamico, Wis., 10 months ago, when gyms started opening back up. He worked his way to general manager at Xperience in Waukesha, Wis. after starting as a front desk worker.

Q-Joe Eisenman: What brought you to Xperience Fitness?

A-Ryan Powers: I knew that the gyms were starting to open back up and put my foot in the door with Xperience, I would stop in there and get in touch with the General Manager over there. I knew a couple of friends that worked there previously, so they put in a good word for me.

Q: What is it like running a gym during a pandemic?

A: It can be a little tricky. It creates some barriers with members. A lot of members are still scared and are obviously wondering about mask policy and cleaning policies. You just have to make sure you know how to answer all their questions, how to keep the gym clean and everybody safe.

Q: What is a goal of yours that you’d like to see come to fruition when it comes to the gym?

A: The ultimate goal is to get everybody in the city of Waukesha to be working out here at the gym.

Q: Was there anything you were fearful of in regard to working during a pandemic and being around people?

A: Absolutely. There’s always going to be that risk you take whenever you come into a gym or a restaurant where you know the virus could be there. You can’t see it, you don’t know where it is, but you it’s around and it’ll always be in the back of your mind. The worst-case scenario is that everybody gets sick from being in the gym and you have to shut down again.

Q: What have you learned in the last year about yourself or other people since the pandemic began?

A: Everything is kind of unknown with businesses or every day living. It creates this unknown atmosphere where you’re not exactly sure what to do. It’s making sure you know how to handle it with the best of your ability with the protocols given by the state, government and your superiors.

Q: How do you think your life, or the lives of the community will be different once the worst is behind us?

A: We have to learn from our mistakes and learn from the past. If something like this does happen in the future, you’re going to learn from your history. It’s knowing how to handle it in the future if the same thing does happen. Setting different protocols and reduce the spread as much as possible.