EDMONTON, A.B.-20 de octubre de 2020-Mantenera todo el mundo en Canadá lo más seguro posible y centrado en su salud física y mental durante una pandemia sin precedentes es la prioridad principal de más de 6.000 clubes de fitness, gimnasios y estudios de costa a costa.

Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) se ha comprometido a cumplir o superar las directrices gubernamentales y de las autoridades sanitarias que han demostrado su eficacia para minimizar los riesgos y la transmisión de virus. La FIC también se ha comprometido a trabajar en colaboración con las autoridades sanitarias y gubernamentales para desarrollar directrices y normativas que den prioridad a la salud y la seguridad.

“We know the positive impact exercise has on the physical, psychological, and social health of people, and are committed to providing safe solutions,” said Scott Wildeman, President, FIC. “We want to work as an active partner with government and healthcare officials and help them make evidence-based decisions to protect our members and employees — and keep our doors open.”

“We’re welcoming back increasing numbers of people in our gyms and studios, but we also desperately need government support to ensure we remain sustainable in this new normal of restrictions and shutdowns.”

Los gimnasios canadienses generan unos ingresos anuales de casi 4.000 millones de dólares y dan empleo a decenas de miles de personas. La FIC representa a todos los niveles de instalaciones, desde las cadenas más grandes - GoodLife Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness, MOVATI Athletic, Énergie Cardio, GYMVMT, Trevor Linden Club 16, etc. - hasta los miles de pequeños estudios y gimnasios independientes que también luchan por sobrevivir en medio de restricciones de capacidad, cierres programados y amenazas de futuros cierres.

“As a small business owner, the shutdown in the spring stretched finances about as far as they could possibly go,” said Jeff Ardron, President and GM of Fitness Unlimited Athletic Club in Maple Ridge, B.C. “We were able to reopen, but not all gyms and studios were as lucky. We have received a lot of support from our members, but if another closure were to happen, I’m not sure what the outcome would be.”

“Most fitness facilities are operating at approximately 60 per cent of the pre-pandemic revenues,” said Wildeman. “At the same time, they’ve made significant investments in additional personal protective equipment, cleaning and sanitizing equipment, staff training, in addition to other measures to protect their employees and members. Canadians are in real danger of losing many of their neighborhood gyms and boutique studios.”

Además de la industria de los gimnasios, las empresas que dependen de ella, como vendedores, proveedores, ropa deportiva, industria de suplementos, empresas de limpieza, arrendadores/empresas inmobiliarias, etc., se han visto gravemente afectadas.

Desde que la pandemia cerró los gimnasios en primavera, la FIC ha colaborado estrechamente con sus divisiones provinciales para proporcionar directrices y normas aprobadas por la sanidad pública. Estos esfuerzos permitieron a los gimnasios reabrir con cuidado y responsabilidad en verano, y continuar con sus operaciones.

Las instalaciones miembros de la FIC son conocidas por gestionar negocios seguros y seguir un estricto conjunto de directrices. Entre las directrices, los miembros de la FIC se han comprometido a:

• Aumentar la frecuencia y la intensidad de la limpieza
• Mayor disponibilidad de material hospitalario y de limpieza y desinfección
• Ofrecer entrenamientos con reserva previa y/o por tiempo limitado (lo que también garantiza el seguimiento de los contactos).
• Employ monitor and/or “compliance ambassadors” who ensure members and staff are following the enhanced safety standards
• Incluir el espaciado adecuado de todos los equipos y la señalización/bloqueo en los suelos de los gimnasios para garantizar un distanciamiento adecuado.
• Imponer protocolos eficaces de uso de los EPI

The protocols followed by FIC members ensure that the industry is ready to support individuals in the best way possible when it comes to their wellbeing. Dr. Sharkawy, a Canadian Infectious Disease Specialist from Toronto, ON, states that “Gyms, fitness studios can play a vital role in combatting stress, maintaining health during a pandemic…” (via Twitter @SharkawyMD).

To date, Canadian fitness clubs, gyms and studios have accommodated more than 20-million workouts since gyms and studios initially reopened after the nationwide spring shutdown. A critical key to its success is the industry’s unparalleled ability to control and track who is working out in their clubs and studios. Using electronic card swipes, mobile apps and in-person monitoring, facilities are actively managing the social distancing and traffic flow within their facilities. If a suspected exposure is identified, fitness operators can alert anyone potentially impacted more quickly and more accurately than other businesses.

“Ontario gyms are working around the clock to maintain the trust of our members, our employees and public health officials,” said Wildeman. “It’s unfortunate that, like other industries, a few isolated incidents have garnered disproportionate attention where standards and protocols were not followed — by members or operators. Thousands of fitness facilities have reopened safely, welcomed members back and are well prepared for any additional waves of COVID-19.”

“We’re going to continue to work together to protect our employees, members and communities and offer the safest environments we can. It’s in all our interests to keep everyone safe, physically fit and mentally healthy.”

Acerca de la FIC

Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) is the not-for profit trade association that represents the voice of fitness facility operators across Canada. Representing more than 6,000 facilities with more than six-million members nationwide, FIC pursues a legislative agenda in the hope of bettering the fitness industry for both consumers and operators. FIC aims to work with both industry and government to improve the health and physical activity levels of Canadians.