opening time

National lifestyle brand and gym announces Houston-area reopening date

Photo courtesy of Life Time

Texas gyms can soon open their doors to workout-ready members, as ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott. Now, a national lifestyle brand has announced that it will open to Houston-area members on Monday, May 18.

Life Time will open its 10 Houston-area locations at 5 am Monday, in response to positive feedback, according to a statement from the company. Life Time says it recently sought information from clients and team members to ensure the club meets their safety expectations amid COVID-19.

Life Time closed its nationwide locations in March nationwide after someone who had visited the gym was diagnosed with a presumptive case of COVID-19, the Houston Chroniclereported.

The Houston-area locations reopening to clients are:

Life Time Baybrook — 19250 Gulfbrook Dr., Friendswood
Life Time Champions — 7717 Willow Chase Blvd.
Life Time Cinco Ranch — 23211 Cinco Ranch Blvd.
Life Time CityCentre — 815 Town and Country Blvd.
Life Time Cypress — 9922 Fry Rd., Cypress
Life Time Galleria (Tennis) — 5015 Westheimer Rd., Suite 4020
Life Time Greenway — 1 City Club Dr., Houston
Life Time Kingwood — 20515 W. Lake Houston Pkwy., Humble
Life Time Lake Houston — 13600 Will Clayton Pkwy., Humble
Life Time Sugar Land — 1331 Hwy 6, Sugar Land

The chain notes that it has enlisted a former state epidemiologist with a wide range of experiences in clinical occupational and environmental medicine to ensure that its protocols fairly satisfy the latest public health considerations.

Once open, Life Time plans include:

Enhanced cleaning regularly throughout the club, and overnight deep cleaning, using an EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant and virucide that is known to be effective against emerging viral pathogens and human coronavirus, including the virus that causes COVID-19.
Cleaning stations with disinfectants (in both wipes and spray bottles) throughout the club for members to use before and after exercising on equipment.
Social distancing measures throughout the club including markings or directions at the front desk, fitness floor, class studios, locker rooms, children’s areas, pool areas and more.
Dedicated equipment for class participants that is cleaned between classes, in order to promote single use.
Temperature screening for all team members consistent with governmental orders and guidelines.
In-club and online seminars, programs and education focused on exercise and nutrition.

Life Time clubs will also open in Dallas and San Antonio on Monday, May 18. Opening dates for other Life Time clubs will be announced to members via the company’s website, social channels, and direct emails, once they are determined.

Meanwhile, another massive gym and lifestyle chain, 24 Fitness, announced that it will open only its Dallas locations on Monday, May 18.

openings health fitness

no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana