Lockdown 2.0 proved a agonising wait for fitness fanatics who were forced to do their daily workouts either at home or outdoors.
The Government ordered all gyms to close for a month as the nation grappled with a second wave of coronavirus.
So when at midnight on Wednesday a 24-hour gym which previously flouted the coronavirus rules was finally allowed to reopen their doors there was no shortage of customers.
Gym owner Andreas Michli was fined £67,000 and taken to court last month by Haringey Council after a three-day stand-off protest with more than 30 police officers at the Zone Gym in Wood Green, North London.
He had refused to close his business saying the gym he has owned for around five years was being used by professional body-builders making a living from the sport.
The defiant businessman has since vowed not to pay the fine and has challenged the authorities to take him to court.
His brush with the law has had no effect on his business as his 24-hour gym was mobbed by supporters when he opened legally at midnight.
The 34-year-old welcomed around 60 people and told Mail Online he believes his protest swayed the Government to allow gyms to reopen at the same time as other businesses.
When the first lockdown ended in June gyms were not allowed to reopen at the same time as shops and pubs.
Mr Michli said: "There's no doubt in my mind we succeeded in changing the Prime Minister's mind about allowing gyms to open.
"He saw what was going on and he listened. But the war goes on and now it's not just about gyms anymore. I feel like I'm fighting on behalf of businesses of all kind."
Personal trainer Sophia Sammee, 35, from Friern Barnet, North London, was among Mr Michli's first post-lockdown 2.0 customers.
She said: "This gym has been my home and I really wanted to be here on the stroke of midnight. Andreas was brave to stay open and I was proud to support him."
Paralegal Dennis Adjei-Sarpong, 26, was also one of the first customers adding it was 'a great moment' when the gym reopened.
Mr Michi said his stance during lockdown 2.0 has earned him fans as he has been swamped with messages of support from well-wishers across the country.
He said he was expecting a large crowd as he had been contacted by people via social media who promised to come down in time for the reopening at midnight.
His gym has 1,200 members but social distancing rules means he has had to limited it to 85 people at one time.
