DIB Club on Diamond Island is now open after months of being closed. KHMER TIMES PHOTO
PHNOM PENH: It seems like years ago we have been able to go to a gym or swimming pool and get rid of the stress of the pandemic and situations that come from it.
Well, now there is more positive news for fitness freaks in the Cambodia capital because all gyms, spas, fitness centers and swimming pools are now open.
One of the main attractions to many locals and expats living in Phnom Penh is the DIB Club that was opened in 2017. The owners shut the pool and facilities as soon as the government announced the restrictions in April 2020.
Alexis de Suremain, founder of Aquation Office Park, which houses DIB Club on Diamond Island, said to Khmer Times: “Since the February 20th event we have tried to keep the same team with us and pay their salaries and, in order to do that, we have moved people around a lot to our different businesses or gardening, so now it is crucial for the restrictions to have eased to stop us losing money.”
“It is very expensive to keep the pool maintained even with no customers otherwise we would end up ruining the pool and the water turning green,” he said.
Also, at the Aquation Office Park they have Floatation (a floating restaurant), a football center, a boxing gym, two dance studios (including the Royal Ballet), a golf driving range being installed and Treellion Park — Phnom Penh’s first green public park without any outside noise from passing traffic, etc.
The Place Gym is one of the few “prestige” gym names in Phnom Penh and offers free classes and the highest tech equipment with its membership packages.
This is now back open with their sites in Bouel Keng Kang, Toul Kouk and their new venue in Aeon Mall fourth floor. Randy Fadlila, marketing manager of the place, told Khmer Times: “As soon as the restrictions were put in place we closed our doors, which we had to do to follow the government guidelines. Since then, we have our members message us on Facebook daily asking if we are open or not.
“We have a very nice member community within the gym and have daily classes such as spinning and dance classes, yoga — with us also being the only local gym with an official license to run Les Mills classes, which is a world recognized fitness program.
“Now, the restrictions have been lifted, we are very excited. It is great to see our old members coming back along with new members signing up. I welcome everyone to come and visit one of our sites and speak to a member of staff.”
Stuart Allen, an avid gym user, told Khmer Times: “Since the pandemic started, I have struggled to keep up with my usual fitness and gym routine so have had to adapt to working-out from home.
Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/10/26/news/world/cambodia-reopens-spas-gyms/1819719
