On that viral "Know Your Risk" color-coded chart created by the Texas Medical Association, one of the riskiest places to go during the pandemic is to a gym.
But move that gym outdoors and the risk lessens. Wear a mask, use hand sanitizer and remember to social distance and it goes down even more.
That’s the theory behind Anytime Fitness-Ruby Isle in Brookfield, 2205 N. Calhoun Rd., which has moved much of its gym out into a series of tents in the parking lot.
Because it is outdoors, masks are not required.
The semi-permanent installation in the Ruby Isle Shopping Center at the corner of North Avenue and Calhoun Road – called The Annex-Open Air Gym – includes equipment for cardio and a full-body resistance training workout.
It is one of a number of ways that folks are staying fit during the pandemic. (Here are some others.)
The Annex is available to Anytime Fitness Brookfield-Ruby Isle members, but community members can also gain access via a temporary club pass.
Day passes are $15, weekly passes are $30 and monthly passes are $60. A yearly membership is $24 bi-weekly.
The gym will be open weekdays from sunrise until 7 p.m. and Saturdays from sunrise to 2 p.m.
For more information and weather updates, visit the club’s Facebook page.
You can also watch this Q&A about the Annex:
You wanna get fit? Take it outside.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
