A gym in Southern California has installed workout pods made out of shower curtains to safely return from its COVID-19 closure ... and the scene is pretty surreal.
Check out photos of Inspire South Bay Fitness in Redondo Beach ... the new weight room looks a hell of a lot different -- and the gym says it's all in an effort to keep people healthy.
Peet Sapsin -- the facility's owner -- told KTLA the new setup took three days to put together ... but he believes it -- and other safety measures -- will allow customers to feel normal being back in a gym.
Peet says everyone that comes through the door will sanitize their hands, have their temperature taken, sign a waiver and then will be given a pod to lift weights in.
Peet claims the gym will only operate at about half capacity with the new setup ... but he adds, "now that we’ve come up with this solution, it’s a lot more affordable and, now, we can reopen back up a little more safer and healthier for our clients."
As we previously reported ... gyms in California were ordered to close up shop way back in March in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
But, government officials gave the green light to gyms to re-open just a few days ago ... and, slowly, fitness centers across the state are making moves.
So, could pod-workouts be coming to a facility near you in 2020??
Arnold Schwarzenegger is the most accomplished bodybuilder in the history of the sport, his gym -- Gold's in Venice -- is considered the mecca of bodybuilding ... so it's pretty stunning Arnold rolled up to the gym today but refused to go inside.
Arnold bicycled to Gold's Tuesday morning for a workout, now that the gym's back in business. He's there like clockwork when it's open, so Tuesday marked a big day for him.
When he got to the front desk he was informed people needed to wear masks when they entered and when they were in certain common areas, but they do NOT require members to wear masks when working out.
Fact is ... Gold's is complying with the law -- State regulations do not require people wearing masks when they lift, but Arnold's way more concerned about safety -- when people moan, grunt and handle the same weights, it's risky.
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The 72-year-old movie star/bodybuilder/politician, we're told, will stay clear of Gold's until people start wearing masks on the floor -- or when there's a vaccine.
The good news for Arnold -- he has a spectacular gym at home.
A trio of cops getting a bad taste in their mouths after downing Shake Shack milkshakes nearly became a flashpoint in the nationwide tensions between police and their communities ... but cooler heads are prevailing.
The burger joint was trending overnight because the 3 NYPD officers were hospitalized after complaining about a funny taste in the shakes they ordered at a lower Manhattan Shake Shack. They reportedly described the taste as bleach, and feared they'd been poisoned.
#BREAKING When NYC police officers cannot even take meal without coming under attack, it is clear that environment in which we work has deteriorated to a critical level. We cannot afford to let our guard down for even a moment. pic.twitter.com/fbMMDOKqbV
A letter was sent to members of different police unions making them aware of the sitch. In a since-deleted tweet, the NYC Detectives' Endowment Association straight-up said their boys in blue were "intentionally" poisoned.
The insinuation was cops can't even go for a shake now without being attacked by rogue citizens. Mind you, there was no evidence of that, but take it as a sign of how tense things are these days.
Welp ... an investigation was immediately launched overnight, and NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said Tuesday it was all much ado about nothing.
After a thorough investigation by the NYPD’s Manhattan South investigators, it has been determined that there was no criminality by shake shack’s employees.
Harrison says, "After a thorough investigation by the NYPD’s Manhattan South investigators, it has been determined that there was no criminality by Shake Shack’s employees."
As for what exactly happened to the malts remains a mystery. The NY Post reports it appears to be a cleaning solution commonly used that wasn't rinsed off the machine enough.
The good news is all 3 cops were released from the hospital and are expected to make a full recovery -- and Shake Shack said it's committed to getting the full picture out.
COVID-19 can't stop one of America's biggest 4th of July traditions from happening ... 'cause the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest WILL go down this year ... but with some major changes.
TMZ Sports has learned ... the event is set to take place at a private location without fans in 2020 ... and will feature 1/3 of the competitors to ensure social distancing.
The hot dog eating contest usually draws thousands of fans at Surf and Stillwell Avenues on Coney Island each year ... but given the global pandemic, it's all gonna be behind closed doors.
We're told all staffers will be wearing masks and gloves, and all eaters will be tested for COVID-19 prior to the showdown ... and the location will be sanitized to the max.
As we previously reported, 12-time champ Joey Chestnut said back in April he was preparing for the event as if it were happening ... so he'll be ready to try to smash his record of 74 franks in 10 minutes.
To make things even sweeter, Major League Eating -- the organization behind the event -- and the eaters are making donations to local food banks and will honor essential workers in NYC for their service.
Anyone else hungry for some tube steaks all of a sudden?
The U.S. Open of Surfing -- one of the most famous surf events in the world -- has been canceled over COVID concerns, event officials say.
The USOS -- which reportedly draws hundreds of thousands of people to Huntington Beach, CA every year -- was scheduled to take place between August 1 through August 9.
But now, the plans are off ...
"In light of continued health concerns and current guidelines surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Vans US Open of Surfing presented by Swatch has been canceled and will return in 2021," event officials said.
"The decision to cancel was made after careful consideration, with the health and safety of fans, athletes, staff, and the local community remaining the top priority."
10:32 AM PT -- Dak Prescott apparently does NOT have COVID, according to Ian Rapoport who says the star QB is “fine.”
UPDATE
9:28 AM PT -- Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott is one of the players who tested positive, his rep confirms to TMZ Sports.
UPDATE
We're told Zeke got the positive test results within the past week -- and though there was one day he wasn't feeling great, he's doing very well now.
Huge news out of Texas ... where "several" Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans players have tested positive for COVID-19.
The news comes by way of NFL Network's Ian Rapoportwho's as plugged in as you can get with the NFL.
"Several #Cowboys players & several #Texans players have tested positive for COVID-19 recently, sources tell me & @TomPelissero.
"None of the players are believed to have been in their team facilities. The teams followed proper health protocols."
We know what you're thinking ... WHO?!?!
So far, the identities of the players who tested positive have not been released.
Also, unclear WHERE the players tested positive.
This COULD have a big impact on the NFL timeline -- training camps are scheduled to open in mid to late July.
Of course, the NBA suspended its season at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak -- and there are now plans to restart the league in a "bubble environment" in Orlando in July.
Everyone who enters the bubble -- at Walt Disney World in Orlando -- will undergo thorough testing before they're granted access.
The UFC has also continued to operate during the pandemic with similar medical screening protocols in place.
COVID cases in Texas have been on the rise lately. In fact, 2,287 people were hospitalized on Sunday … a record high. So far, Texas has recorded almost 90,000 cases — and almost 2,000 deaths.
Anyone ready to park their asses at a National Park can rest assured ... their tax dollars will be hard at work protecting them from COVID-19.
That's right ... the National Park Service is doing everything it can to make sure visitors have what they need at their disposal to stem the spread of the coronavirus. TMZ got just over $100k in receipts to show how the NPS prepped to get some of its most popular parks retrofitted.
According to federal docs ... the agency spent the money on new cleaning supplies, porta-potties, hand washing stations and, get this, even self-cleaning garbage cans!!! We know these expenses are related to the pandemic because they're categorized under "National Interest Item - Covid 19 2020."
These docs were all filed within the last couple of weeks as national parks begin to open again. According to docs, Yellowstone National Park alone received $48,421 for portable toilets and wash station rentals. Here's how some other parks used the money:
- Lake Mead: $31,536 on pin pads/barcode scanners - Mount Rushmore: $7,680 on portable toilet needs - Alaska Regional National Park Office: $8,677 cleaning and sanitizing mountain cans - Arizona's Agate Bridge: $5,948 funding due to social distancing for landscaping
Weekend warriors ... time to load up that SUV and get rollin'.
Snoop Dogg led the way over the weekend -- back in the music biz after months of being sidelined -- shooting a music video at a famed, Sunset Strip burger joint.
Snoop took over Mel's Diner for the shoot, grabbing some food and drink in between takes. Classic cars lined the parking lot as shooting began.
Xzibit and Wiz Khalifa were also part of the shoot ... something we haven't seen here in Hollywood since mid-March.
John Legend was just down the road -- well, maybe 5 miles down the road -- shooing his own music vid in the Los Feliz part of L.A.
TV and film production is back in business, but there are precautions. Among them -- health check for all vendors and others who arrive on set, social distancing restrictions, and requirements for wearing masks.
When actors are shooting scenes, they won't have to wear masks, but otherwise, the mask requirements are pretty much unbending.
Cases of coronavirus in California are on the upswing, and it's unclear how, if at all, this will affect production.
If there's another hand sanitizer shortage amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the federal government might be partly to blame ... because it bought a bundle to keep everyone at the upcoming political conventions germ-free.
According to financial docs -- obtained by TMZ -- the feds spent $32,353 on 400 cartons of hand sanitizer and 100 dispensers to cover the Democratic and Republican National Conventions ... which are scheduled for August.
The cost was filed under "National Interest Action - Covid-19 2020."
As you know ... both conventions were pushed from mid-summer to August over coronavirus concerns, and as of now, the Dems are still debating going virtual for theirs, but it's still possible it will be held in Milwaukee.
The GOP, on the other hand, is full steam ahead with its convention, which will go down in a newly-announced location -- Jacksonville.
It's interesting ... the Secret Service spent $7.2 million to secure the perimeter of President Trump's convention ... nearly double the $3.7 mil spent on security for Joe Biden's party.
Donald Trump's return to campaign rallies is already controversial for the date and location, and now his supporters have to promise not to sue him if they get COVID-19 while attending.
Here's the deal ... the President's 2020 reelection campaign just announced details behind his highly-controversial move to host a rally next Friday in Tulsa -- and it includes a disclaimer: By registering to attend you are automatically agreeing NOT to sue if you contract the coronavirus. Always read the fine print.
The rally is going down June 19 at the BOK Center ... an arena that holds more than 19,000 people. Not the best idea in the middle of the pandemic -- as cases and hospitalizations are spiking in many places, including Oklahoma.
The Trump campaign website has a legal notice for anyone thinking about registering to attend, and it reads ... "By clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present."
The notice continues ... "By attending the Rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; BOK Center; ASM Global; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers liable for any illness or injury."
Trump's rally was already under heavy criticism for the fact it's being held on Juneteenth -- the holiday commemorating the end of slavery -- Tulsa was the site of a 1921 massacre of America's wealthiest Black community.
White mobs killed an estimated 300 people that day -- which is why Trump critics have called his rally an absolute "slap in the face" to Black America.
It's also looking pretty bad for anyone attending the rally, too ... at least, if you believe when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic.
Coachella 2020 is officially dead on the table -- the music festival will NOT go on in October as previously planned ... with hopes to fire it back up next year.
The news came down Wednesday from Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser. Kaiser signed an order to cancel the October event citing the fears of another rise in COVID cases in the fall. Stagecoach -- a country music festival held on the same grounds -- is also canceled.
It's still undecided if Coachella organizers will try to bring it back in April -- when it normally runs -- in a limited capacity, or just wait 'til October 2021 to open anew, and welcome everyone.
Another thing that's not totally clear is whether the 2020 lineup will remain the same, or if organizers will try booking new acts for 2021. You'll recall, this year's headliners -- which were supposed to perform later this October after the initial postponement -- included Travis Scott, Frank Ocean, Rage Against the Machine and even a late-game Gaga announcement.
A lot of those artists were already rescheduling shows for 2021, so folks probably saw this coming. Not just that, but Lollapalooza just got canceled too ... and will live stream instead.
The elderly man in Buffalo who was shoved to the ground by an aggressive cop denies any ties to Antifa ... after President Trump suggested he was a member.
Kelly Zarcone -- an attorney for 75-year-old Martin Gugino -- tells TMZ ... POTUS is wrong to think her client is in any way involved with the radical left group, and to suggest otherwise is grossly irresponsible -- especially since the guy just got out of intensive care.
She says, "Martin is out of ICU but still hospitalized and truly needs to rest. Martin has always been a PEACEFUL protestor because he cares about today’s society."
Zarcone adds, Martin "is also a typical Western New Yorker who loves his family. No one from law enforcement has even suggested anything otherwise, so we are at a loss to understand why the President of the United States would make such dark, dangerous, and untrue accusations against him."
Yeah, a lot of people can't explain it -- including several Senators and Congressmen on Capitol Hill, who've refused to comment today about the President's tweet.
Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment. @OANN I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?
Lollapalooza won't have fans bum-rushing the gates this year, due to the pandemic, but there will still be a festival ... it's just gonna be virtual, and could be a sign of things to come for Coachella.
Organizers of the annual music festival held in Chicago announced Tuesday they won't be able to hold the weekend-long block party after all ... this after Chi-Town scrapped all large, permitted outdoor events through Labor Day.
Lollapalooza 2020, scheduled for July 30 to Aug. 2, isn't being postponed ... but instead is moving online, with virtual performances from around Chicago and beyond, plus throwbacks to some of the best Lolla sets and never-before-seen footage from the '90s.
Instead of just pushing the concert dates back -- a la Coachella moving from April to October -- Lollapalooza says "we will be working hard behind the scenes to deliver Chicago a spectacular celebration of Lollapalooza's 30th anniversary in the summer of 2021, and we can't wait to celebrate with you."
Lollapalooza ain't alone in this predicament ... Burning Man as you know it is also canceled by COVID-19, and now all eyes are on Coachella.
2:17 PM PT -- Joe Exotic's husband, Dillon Passage, just responded to his husband's gut-wrenching letter ... which all but states definitively that Joe feels abandoned by the guy.
UPDATE
Dillon writes, "My heart is breaking after reading Joe’s letter 💔 He is living in hell right now and I’m outraged by the way he is being treated. I can’t even begin to imagine how that is breaking his spirit. I love Joe and I’m standing by him. The photos that I post on here are a highlight reel of my life… What you don’t see are the hours that I’m alone at home, missing my husband and my friend."
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He goes on to say, "I’ve been writing letters and it is a shame to hear that he isn’t receiving them… I know they limit the amount he can read in a week and I only hope they eventually get to him. Joe, I hope that this reaches you too. Know that I love you and I’m fighting for you everyday. #freejoeexotic"
UPDATE
Sounds like he hasn't forgotten about Joe after all -- they're just outta sync right now. Understandable ... it's crazy times we're living in these days.
TMZ's obtained a letter penned by the imprisoned 'Tiger King' star this week to his "Supporters, Fans, Loves Ones." He opens by saying the pandemic's over, so he's asking POTUS to grant him a miracle and free him ... but it's pretty bleak from there.
Joe says, "My soul is dead" and he's struggling to keep hope in what he describes as some pretty miserable conditions behind bars. He also claims he's being tormented by people sending him info about his husband, Dillon Passage, living it up on the outs and partying without him. Joe also says Dillon's gone radio silent on him.
On top of all this, Exotic claims he's not getting treatment and meds for his health conditions, and he makes a dark prediction -- "I'll be dead in 2-3 months."
Joe compares his prison sentence to death row, makes it clear he feels abandoned ... and takes some shots at people he believes took advantage of him and stabbed him in the back.
There are some more questionable parts to the letter too -- including racial comments suggesting he'd get treated better if he were a different color ... and saying George Floyd's message got lost with the rioting. Oh, and there's a Michael Jackson song reference too.
In the end, Exotic maintains his innocence ... and tosses a final Hail Mary to Cardi and Kim in hopes they'll catch it and help him out. The Cardi ship may have already sailed, though.
Scary moment for NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace -- who PASSED OUT during a post-race interview Sunday ... and the whole thing went down on live TV.
... but good news, he's OKAY!!
Wallace had just completed the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway -- where the temperature was above 85 all day long with high humidity.
When reporter Jamie Little began asking Bubba about the race -- he finished 21st -- Wallace began to nod off in a scary way. It was obvious something was wrong.
The good news ... Wallace has recovered and late Sunday night, he issued a statement on Twitter.
"Got sent to the Gulag ... Won that ... Where we dropping. Aka I’m good."
So, what happened?
Earlier in the broadcast ... Wallace had said he felt "lightheaded" -- insisting he had "sat down and got up too fast."
Wallace -- the only black driver who competes in the NASCAR Cup Series -- made headlines before the race by wearing an "I Can't Breathe" shirt, a show of support to George Floyd.
NASCAR President Steve Phelps also spoke about racial issues -- after all 40 drivers had pulled over and turned off their engines during warm-up laps, Phelps delivering a message over their radio sets.
"Our country is in pain and people are justifiably angry, demanding to be heard," Phelps said.
"The black community and all people of color have suffered in our country, and it has taken far too long for us to hear their demands for change. Our sport must do better. Our country must do better."
4:24 PM PT -- 6/10During his news conference last week, Mayor Brown discussed both Gugino's case as well as the case of Myles Carter, a protester who was arrested earlier in the week. He referred to Carter as an "agitator." He was not talking about Gugino.
UPDATE
8:18 AM PT -- Buffalo PD officers Aron Torgalski and Robert McCabe are now facing felony charges. Erie County D.A., John J. Flynn, says the cops were both charged with 2nd-degree felony assault.
8:02 AM PT -- The 2 officers involved in shoving Gugino will reportedly be charged with 2nd-degree assault. They're expected to be arraigned shortly.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown held a news conference discussing police action against protesters in his city ... including the 75-year-old man who was knocked down by Buffalo cops
Mayor Brown said officers were told to be careful and "protect our residents, protect peaceful protesters and use common sense." He said he would not call for the firing off the 2 officers involved in the Gugino incident, and wanted them to have due process.
As you know, Gugino was standing all by himself when he was shoved to the ground, and left bleeding from the head and ear.
As we reported, 57 other officers resigned from Buffalo's Emergency Response Team in solidarity with the 2 cops who were suspended for the incident.
Gugino remains hospitalized, but his attorney says he is "alert and oriented."