The New Jersey gym made famous for defying coronavirus restrictions has incurred more than $1.2 million in fines, co-owner Ian Smith told Fox News.
"Gov. [Phil] Murphy has thrown everything he possibly could to shut us down," Atilis Gym's Smith said last Thursday. "He has arrested my partner and I, given us over 60 citations, some of them criminal. He fines us $15,497.76 per day for every day we're in operation. Our fines are totaling over $1.2 million, but every single day, Frank and I open our gym."
Smith said his gym does not plan to pay the fines.
Gyms in New Jersey are allowed to remain open with restrictions as COVID-19 cases surge in the U.S. Gymgoers must practice social distancing and follow other safety protocols, including wearing masks, though Smith's gym in Bellmawr is not mandating the latter.
Smith told Fox News his business has had no coronavirus cases despite 83,000 visits.
"All of our other safety measures have kept our members safe and as you can tell with the 83,000 visits and no outbreaks linked to the facility," Smith told Fox News. "People are ready to get back to life and we can do so in a safe manner without shutting down businesses and closing them for good. And Frank and I set out to prove that back in May with our safety protocol. It has been in place and has shown to be effective."
He also blasted Murphy for not doing enough for small businesses during closures.
"What's happening to the middle class and small businesses in America is nothing short of a complete tragedy," he said. "I would go so far as to call it criminal. You are putting people out of business for good. You are making them reliant on big government. You are taking away their civil liberties under the guise of pretending like you care about public health."
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.