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As we move through the COVID-19 pandemic, we hear compelling stories from around the world that illustrate the resilience of our industry. We all face extraordinary challenges, and as your partner, we wanted to share a number of industry examples from alliances and operators working to change government mandates to safely reopen gyms and support physical activity. that gyms can operate safely, revealing that of the more than 49.4 million visits to 2,873 health clubs, only 0.0023 per cent in the last three months have been positive for COVID-19. This means that strict COVID-19 safety measures are in place in gyms within the country and that positive infections are not associated with gym attendance. Read more about this in our second post this cycle next week. We hope the following examples can serve as a reference and inspiration, working with partners and government officials to ensure that gyms are part of the future response to the pandemic.
Following an increase in COVID-19 infections at the end of July, the Generalitat government ordered the closure of all gyms and sports centers. Hundreds of gym owners, employees and sports legends staged protests near the local government building. They claimed that there had been no cases of infection in the gym and that they had made significant investments to comply with minimum safety measures. On the same day, the Barcelona Commissioner for Sport sent two letters of complaint to the Generalitat requesting the renovation of the gym. He stated that all gyms had complied with the health and safety measures, so a renewed closure would only be accepted if new guidelines were published. He added that gyms support the physical and mental health of people of all ages in society. Gyms, studios and other indoor sports facilities also brought an action for reopening before the Supreme Court of Catalonia (SCJC), which upheld their claim. Fitness opportunities in the region are now reopened if all existing social isolation and hygiene measures are followed.
In a new study, ukactive collected data from more than 1,300 fitness centers to analyze the spread of the virus in the industry from reopening from 25 July to 16 August. The results show that there have been more than eight million visits by participants since the reopening, and only 17 people have reported positive with COVID-19, or about 0.020 cases for every 10,000 visits. In addition, only nine cases were reported among the institution's staff. The results show that gyms can easily obtain contact tracking data and highlight the low prevalence of the virus in these facilities.
Recent studies from Norway have shown that fitness centers are not at greater risk of spreading COVID-19 as long as appropriate hygiene and social distancing measures are followed. A government-funded study was recently published in Healthclubmanagement.co.uk to find out if sports medicines are at increased risk of spreading the virus. The study concluded that there was no increased risk of COVID-19 spreading in fitness centers, even with intensive training. The study did not reveal any cases of COVID-19 during the two-week trial in which the gym was used.
According to two new, complementary exercise and vaccination studies, athletes may gain more immunity from flu vaccination than people who are less active. Both studies, involving the same group of elite athletes, suggest that intense exercise intensifies the body's response to the vaccine, which is especially relevant now that the flu season is approaching and scientists are working to develop COVID-19. Although these studies focused on elite athletes, Dr. Sester believes that not only professional athletes, but also others who play sports on a daily basis may have better reactions to the flu vaccine than sedentary people. She also expects that high physical fitness will improve the immune response to other vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.
Following an increase in COVID-19 cases at the end of June, Arizona Governor Ducey extended executive orders closing gyms, movie theaters and bars until at least August 10th. Mountainside Fitness and EōS Fitness sued Governor Ducej, claiming that they should be allowed to reopen the gym because they have put in place the necessary security measures, including masks, social distancing and reduced capacity. On August 3, the executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, on behalf of health clubs, testified that gyms should not fall into the same category as bars and restaurants because they provide health benefits to society. On August 4, a judge ruled that Governor's Duceja's order to close fitness centers violated a procedural process. The ruling said fitness centers should be given instructions to reopen safely and be allowed to reopen. Despite a complicated approval process, Arizona's gyms, bars and theaters were allowed to resume operations on Aug. 27.
More than 1,500 New York State gym owners, including 500 in New York State, have filed a lawsuit against Governor Kuomo (New York State) and the state attorney general in an attempt to force the state to allow them to resume work. The New York Fitness Coalition (NYFC) sent Governor Kuomo a proposal outlining security measures that could be put in place as a standard for reopening the fitness industry. These standards include temperature scanning, power limitation, use of individual equipment, test protocols, and more. Crunch Fitness encouraged NY participants to take part in a letter-writing and social media campaign using IHRSA to encourage Governor Kuomo to reopen the gym. The call to action was received from both positive and negative participants. The New York Department of Health announced on August 31 that it would conduct virtual inspections of the gyms before they open on September 2 to expedite the process. Gyms, which will open in other parts of New York from August 24, can only do so with 33% capacity and the necessary masks. However, there is no plan to renovate NYC boutique fitness studios. A group of study owners is demanding that Mayor de Blasio allow them to return to work, saying their main problem is gender bias, as most belong to women. On August 24, the Boutique Fitness Alliance staged a protest in front of a Manhattan studio, which was attended by Eric Adams, president of the Brooklyn area.
The CFA has established an industry association advisory board in addition to its advisory board. Doris Thews, CEO of Team Thews Fitness Consulting, Amy Thompson of the IDEA Health and Fitness Association and Josh Leve of the Fitness Studies Association chair the Industry Association Advisory Board, which will create a holistic perspective - supporting 180,000 employees and millions of California gyms, health clubs and studios as the CFA urges Governor Newsom to safely renovate gyms in California. On August 28, California announced that it would use a tiered approach to reopen its indoor operations. Gyms in the Los Angeles and Sacramento area should continue to operate outdoors, but areas can open on the second level with a 10% capacity.
Michigan's gym has been shut down by governor Whitmer for nearly six months and is now one of only four states to have reopened gyms across the country. The MFCA is urging gyms to resume their work with the Work It Out campaign, stating that gyms do not promote COVID-19 and citing supporting data. On September 3, Governor Whitmer signed two executive orders that will allow all Michigan gyms and pools to reopen on September 9. Strict safety measures must be implemented in all gyms, including operation at 25 percent capacity, the necessary masks, social distancing, and easily accessible equipment cleaners.
More than 260 studios, fitness centers, gyms and health clubs across the state have joined the WFA in an effort to ease Governor Inslee’s guidelines that hinder indoor fitness classes. Their aim is to be recognized as part of the solution, to review the current requirement of around 300 square feet per person and to gain independence from grouping with bars and restaurants during the gradual reopening. In a WFA letter, they claim that people rely on gyms to maintain their health, both physically and mentally, and that registration data collected from gyms show that no positive cases of COVID-19 have come from the gym.
