UPDATE: Two officers at Crunch Fitness following reopening – WILX-TV

LANSING, MI (AP/ WILX) — Meridian Township officers issued a citation to Crunch Fitness in East Lansing, which chose to reopen Thursday despite the federal appeals court decision to halt a lower judge’s ruling that would have allowed Michigan gyms and fitness centers to reopen.

Crunch Fitness is staying open, despite a ruling to keep gyms closed.

Crunch Fitness in East Lansing welcomed in its members at 5 a.m. General manager Jordan Guyton says they aren’t going to close, regardless of the ruling.

“The owners made this decision. We made this decision for the community. We had overwhelming emails and calls. They wanted us to open up,” Guyton said.

All Crunch Fitness patrons were required to wear a mask when they enter the building. Guyton says he was pleasantly surprised at the large turnout of guests at the gym Thursday morning.

“We opened the doors. We wanted people to come,” Guyton said. “We have tons of people here. I’m definitely surprised, but happy at the same time.”

Meridian Township Police visited Crunch Fitness around 11 a.m. confronting the owners.

Owner Adam Hourani told News 10 it isn’t fair that gyms must remain closed when places like restaurants have been able to reopen.

Lawyers of the fitness center are talked with Meridian Township in regards to the situation.

“They (the police) spoke with our attorney and they let us know that they were possibly going to issue a citation but they are allowing us to remain open for the time being, so our attorney is handling the situation,” Hourani said.

Our crew who was at the scene said the gym is still open and people are coming to work out.

In the same strip mall location as Crunch Fitness is State of Fitness. Owner Justin Grinnell planned to open his gym Thursday morning too. But unlike Crunch Fitness, he opted to obey the ruling and stay closed.

“We were fully prepared to open. We had everything ready. We felt we could keep our members very safe. However, we’re going to comply with it,” Grinnell said. “We knew with the outbreak over at Harper’s in East Lansing, we’re just going to play it safe.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer closed Michigan gyms and fitness centers months ago to curb the coronavirus.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 3-0 late Wednesday to grant an emergency stay sought by the governor.

U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney said last week that gyms could reopen at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, June 25, 2020.

Whitmer had planned to reopen gyms, movie theaters and bowling alleys by July 4 if coronavirus case trends remain favorable.

In less-populous northern Michigan, gyms and fitness centers got the green light on June 10.

This is a breaking news story. WILX News 10 is working to get more details on this story, and will update the story as more information becomes available.

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