Some gyms in the Wilmington area, closed since March because of state coronavirus pandemic restrictions, reopened Monday.

The gyms are citing a letter from the state attorney general's office that says they're allowed to be used "when that use is prescribed by or directed by a medical professional." In conjunction with the June 5 letter, they're also citing the Americans With Disabilities Act and other privacy rights as to why medical documentation need not be produced for individuals using the reopened gyms.

Meanwhile, legislation that would reopen all gyms, along with bars, is expected to be considered Tuesday by the N.C. Senate. 

On Monday morning in Wilmington, members exercised on the equipment at the TF Fitness + Nutrition gym at Long Leaf Mall off South College Road. TF Fitness + Nutrition also opened its South Kerr Avenue studio Monday.

"Literally, we've had zero negative comments, a lot of happy faces, a lot of people who are ecstatic that we're open," said Skip Lennon, owner of TF Fitness + Nutrition.

Lennon said a lot of people using his gym Monday were "ready to get back to their normal lives and being healthy." He said he's following health and safety guidelines, including the use of new air purification systems like those in hospitals.

TF Fitness posted the letter and a separate notice about privacy rules on its Facebook page Sunday. 

"I write to provide detail on our statements during the June 4th hearing on Smith v. Cooper concerning usage of indoor gyms and fitness centers for medical purposes," the letter from the office of N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein states. "The Governor interprets Executive Order No. 141 [from May 20] to allow the use of indoor gyms or fitness facilities when that use is prescribed by or directed by a medical professional. This is consistent with Sections 1(5)(a) and 7(A)(2)(b) of Executive Order No. 141, which contain exceptions for health-care services and activities.

"This understanding of Executive Order No. 141 applies even if the Court denies the Smith Plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order." 

Gyms and indoor fitness facilities had been closed since about March 25 as a result of one of Cooper's executive orders aimed at halting the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Some gym owners had expected to be able to reopen May 22, when the second phase of the state's reopening plan went into effect, but they were on the list of businesses ordered to remain closed.

Also among the gyms opening Monday were Axis Fitness and Anytime Fitness. 

Axis Fitness sent out an email to membership, which included a YouTube video Sunday, explaining its process for reopening plans, also citing the letter signed by Phillip Ruben, special deputy attorney general.

According to the letter, gyms are able to open for members whose medical providers have directed them to exercise, a spokesperson for Stein's office said in an email. 

"The gyms mentioned received the letter as part of ongoing litigation," the official said.

Anytime Fitness locations at 3715 Patriot Way and 5060 New Centre Drive officially opened Monday and could be open 24 hours by next week, said owner Steve Uebele.

The gym has hired 12 trainers between the two facilities, he said.

"The reason for our opening is: We have a letter from the attorney general. And it was a clarification letter to the attorney that was representing the fitness industry that was suing Governor [Roy] Cooper," Uebele said. "So he sent the message back from the attorney general's office saying that if you have a physical or mental reason to exercise, that we have to provide the facilities for those folks. And being under HIPAA, we can't ask those folks if they do, but they can see the order, know that they can come in based on that, and the facilities are open. We are providing a service to anybody in the community that fits that need. Quite frankly, it's everybody."

The gym is following health and safety guidelines, keeping five people per 1,000 square feet in the facility. Equipment is set up at a minimum of 6 feet apart, and hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes are available.

"We're mandating everybody to clean before and after use of every piece of equipment and then we follow up. And so we've always been a very neat gym to be honest. But we have taken it to another level," Uebele said.

Anytime Fitness is not allowing other activities such as tanning and showering at its facility.

"For more people, including myself, it's not just about the physical part; it's the mental part that's extremely important for most people," Uebele said. "People have just been really surprised and disappointed with the governor's orders to keep us shut down. So the response has been overwhelming and it's been special to see everybody again."

Other gyms, however, such as Planet Fitness, are not opening their doors.

Joe Bernardini, a partner in the group that owns the Planet Fitness in Ogden, said he was aware that some of gyms in the Wilmington area were opening. Planet Fitness, however, is keeping its doors closed for the time being.

"That's something Planet Fitness, as a national brand, we're not going to do that. We're going to wait until we get the green light," Bernardini said.  "We're excited and eager to get back open ... everyone is really wanting to get back to work and we do feel that we're going to be stronger and getter at the end of all of this."

Being a national franchise, the Planet Fitness corporate office has created an in-depth opening procedure and checklist, he said, adding "we feel very, very confident in what they came up with and the game plan for us to be successful after we open."

Bernardini said the fitness group was excited about recent legislation that could mean gyms reopening across the state but had doubts that the governor would sign such a bill in the end. 

"We are kind of excited that the governor did mention maybe a phase 2.5," Bernardini said. "And hopefully we're included in that 2.5. But really it's just a waiting game for us."