Moment police break up outdoor exercise session as Lycra-clad group lift weights and workout

Police were locked in a tense stand-off with protesters today at a gym which has remained opened in defiance of the government’s lockdown.

Enforcement officers from Haringey Council swooped on the Zone Gym in Wood Green, North London at 10am with a 48-hour ‘closure notice’ citing Anti-Social Behaviour laws — while officers stood guard at the car park gates blocking people from entering.

But a loophole in the wording of the order meant gym boss Andreas Machli, 34, was allowed to enter in his car moments later.

Photos show the muscleman locked in heated conversations with police and council officials while 50 gym members barricaded outside roared their support.

Police were locked in a tense stand-off with protesters today at a gym which has remained opened in defiance of the government’s lockdown

Enforcement officers from Haringey Council swooped on the Zone Gym in Wood Green, North London at 10am with a 48-hour 'closure notice' citing Anti-Social Behaviour laws — while officers stood guard at the car park gates blocking people from entering

Enforcement officers from Haringey Council swooped on the Zone Gym in Wood Green, North London at 10am with a 48-hour ‘closure notice’ citing Anti-Social Behaviour laws — while officers stood guard at the car park gates blocking people from entering

But a loophole in the wording of the order meant gym boss Andreas Machli, 34, was allowed to enter in his car moments later

But a loophole in the wording of the order meant gym boss Andreas Machli, 34, was allowed to enter in his car moments later

After talks ended he pulled open his shutters leading to dozens of gym members clambering over an eight-foot high wall to get in.

Officers appeared to stand-by powerless as lycra clad protesters flooded past them.

Moments later Mr Machli marched to the car park gates telling cheering supporters outside: ‘I am inviting you in!’

To raucous cheers, he pulled open the gates while police again stood by unwilling to make arrests.

Within seconds, dozens more were streaming into the gym car park where a nervous stand-off with police was still ongoing at lunch.

The matter is now headed to the courts with a hearing scheduled to take place before Highbury Corner Magistrates later this afternoon.

Mr Machli said: ‘I am going to court to stay open.

‘It’s ridiculous, but this is what it has come to.

‘How can they use anti-social behaviour laws to close us? It’s daft.’

After talks ended he pulled open his shutters leading to dozens of gym members clambering over an eight-foot high wall to get in

After talks ended he pulled open his shutters leading to dozens of gym members clambering over an eight-foot high wall to get in

Moments later Mr Machli marched to the car park gates telling cheering supporters outside: 'I am inviting you in!'

Moments later Mr Machli marched to the car park gates telling cheering supporters outside: ‘I am inviting you in!’

As lawyers for both sides prepared their arguments, Mr Machli’s supporters appeared to be milling in and out of the gym despite a dozen officers on the scene.

The siege began on Tuesday when Mr Machli sent out a rallying call on social media urging members to return to the treadmill.

One member said yesterday: ‘There are other gyms open locally but they are keeping it more low key.

‘Andreas has the strength of his convictions to go public because he knows he’s doing the right thing.

‘Some people here today aren’t even members of the gym.

‘They just felt the need to come out and support him.’

It comes after footage emerged of the moment a group of people working out in a makeshift gym on an industrial site are broken up by police. 

At least seven masked officers can be seen infiltrating the group exercise session which took place outside a gym in Wych Elm, Harlow, Essex, on Sunday.

Earlier this month Ripped Gym was shutdown by 15 police officers after posts on its social media page appeared to show the venue was open on November 5 in the face of new lockdown laws.  

In the clip, taken by a witness at the scene and posted to social media yesterday, loud music can be heard blaring from a parked car while members of the group lift weights and stay socially distanced.

Some people were also seen wearing T-shirts labelled ‘Ripped Gym’. 

Despite the officers’ presence several members of the group continued their exercise routine, with a child seen in the background lifting a bar.

Essex Police said in a statement: ‘We attended an unauthorised event in Wych Elm, Harlow on Sunday 8 November.

‘Our officers engaged with those in attendance and explained the new regulations and they left peacefully.’

No arrests were made. 

Gym goers were stopped from an outdoor exercise session by a group of five police officers, at premises in Harlow, Essex, despite there being a national lockdown

Gym goers were stopped from an outdoor exercise session by a group of five police officers, at premises in Harlow, Essex, despite there being a national lockdown

Loud music can be heard blaring from a parked car while members of the group lift weights and stay socially distanced

 Loud music can be heard blaring from a parked car while members of the group lift weights and stay socially distanced

One man then approached the officers and whipped out his phone to film them as they stood near the gym-goers.

The man engaged in a heated argument with the officers saying ‘fine the organiser’ over and over, and one woman was heard repeatedly asking: ‘What’s the problem?’ 

Meanwhile a man says that this is his private property and challenges the officers.

Exercise equipment including weights and yoga mats can be seen scattered across the floor nearby.

Exercise is encouraged under the covid-19 lockdown regulations however rules clearly state this kind of gathering is banned

Exercise is encouraged under the covid-19 lockdown regulations however rules clearly state this kind of gathering is banned

Some gym goers continued to lift weights even after police turned up to shut down the gathering

Some gym goers continued to lift weights even after police turned up to shut down the gathering

Britain is currently in a second national lockdown meaning people should stay at home where at all possible.

Exercise is encouraged however rules clearly state this kind of gathering is banned.

Information on the government website clearly states: ‘In general, you must not meet with another person socially or undertake any activities with another person.

‘However, you can exercise or meet in a public, outdoors space with people you live with, your support bubble (or as part of a childcare bubble), or with one other person.’ 

Some criticised the police – especially after Extinction Rebellion protestors were yesterday allowed to erect a banner at London’s Cenotaph without being challenged.

Social media users took to Twitter to criticise the actions of police in the video

Social media users took to Twitter to criticise the actions of police in the video

Andres said: ‘But police can’t be arsed stopping XR nutters vandalising the Cenotaph.’

One said: ‘They’re outside in groups of their households I imagine and doing some exercise. What rules are they breaking?’

MrY_Hackney said: ‘The police are more close together than the people working out.’

Notorious Celt said: ‘Getting beyond a f****** joke this.’

Know Eye Deer added: ‘Slow crime day? This is nonsensical.’

Another said: ‘Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.’

But one watcher said: ‘Good. Stick to the rules.’