AN AYR fitness studio owner has called for gyms to stay open as essential businesses if Level 4 lockdown goes beyond three weeks.

Linzi Noble, 28, who runs LivFit Training Academy, prepared all her members last week for 28 days away from their place to improve their mental and physical wellbeing.

South Ayrshire was put into the strictest level of the Scottish Government’s guidelines, which meant that gyms which had been open again since August were forced to close.

But for Linz,i who runs the gym with her partner and co-owner Ricci Carrino, this time has been all about staying positive.

She told the Advertiser: “We are just trying to stay optimistic. If we seem down about it and then it will affect our members as well, we are just trying to keep spirits high. We might have a more normal Christmas if we can all just stick with it.

“We’ve taken it quite well, we have been prepared and ahead of the game. We are a classes gym so when indoor classes stopped, we adapted and changed our approach.”

Members have been given plans to take home with them, with equipment also provided so they can workout from home. With the gym providing an escape on cold and dark nights Linzi is aware just how much of an impact this could be on people.

She said: “I have noticed how many people are going to miss the gyms, even all my friends have been saying it is the first thing they thought when Level 4 was announced.

“I think everyone was just getting into a routine again with the gyms and then they are shut. But we just have to roll with the punches. We will make sure our clients are okay.

“It’s been a year of growth and adaption – it has helped us all grow stronger and tackle whatever gets thrown at us.”

Linzi added: “It can’t be any longer than three weeks this time. If it is then gyms need to be changed to essential in future. There are so many benefits of fitness.”