Last week, the Welsh Government decided to bring the date set to reopen gyms forward from 10 May to 3 May.

They also decided to allow groups of up to 30 to meet outdoors on 26 April, a week earlier than was previously announced.

Nub News has been speaking with local figures in the sport and fitness industry to gauge their reaction.

Personal trainers

The fitness coaches who have thrived throughout the pandemic are those who have diversified and taken their classes online.

Some in the industry have nervously speculated that the return of gyms may spell bad news for those who now operate predominantly online.

Rae Carpenter, who with her business partner Kath Adams runs LiveFIT Wales, begs to differ.

"We surveyed all our members and very few said they would go back to the gym," she says.

"We have a real core in our membership and have grown considerably over lockdown.

"People have found that going down and switching on the TV and doing a live, interactive exercise class can be a lot better than going down the gym.

"My advice for anyone who has set up online is: don't finish it. Keep your online presence because we don't know what's going to happen."

Similarly, ex-Wales rugby player and personal trainer Laura Prosser does not dread the return of traditional gyms.

During lockdown, she founded the successful business HomeTrain, which specialises in online exercise classes and group outdoor classes.

"People have realised they don't need a gym," she says. In fact, Laura welcomes the Welsh Government announcement as she is now authorised to take large outdoor classes.

"The good thing is that I'll now be able to take a big boot camp on the field. The online stuff is great and that'll keep going. But now it's great because I can do a bit of both.

"The ironic thing in this whole pandemic was that it showed obese people were suffering more than other people. But the fitness industry didn't really get much from the government, so I'm glad to see the government let us open up a bit earlier.

"This worldwide pandemic actually proved the fitter you keep yourself, the better we are at fighting these things."

Sports clubs

Since 26 March, organised outdoor activities could restart for children under 18 (or persons who were aged under 18 on 31 August 2020) without limits on numbers.

Accordingly, clubs like Penarth Allstars Netball (who have been holding sessions since 28 March) are not affected by the recent announcement.

But the likes of Sean O'Sullivan, Chairman of Penarth Rugby Football Club, are champing at the bit. Adult sessions will resume on 26 April and the club's newly built gym will open the following week.

"We will be opening up, and we can't wait," he tells Nub News.

"The working out thing is brilliant, but it's more the ability to go out there and do something and see people."

Gyms and leisure centres

Nub News reached out to various gyms and across leisure centres Penarth, none of which provided a comment.

However, we can confirm that Penarth Leisure Centre will reopen on 26 April.

When the long-awaited Anytime Fitness on Windsor Road will open is currently unknown.