Gyms reopening Melbourne: Fitness leaders call to increase density limits
Fitness leaders are calling on the State Government to increase patron numbers as Melbourne gyms prepare to reopen. And they’ve given a first look at how fitness fanatics will work out in a covid-safe environment.
Melbourne City
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Melbourne gym leaders are calling for an increase in patron numbers as the industry prepares to reopen.
A density limit of one person per 8 sqm will apply and a cap of 10 people per space and 20 per venue when gyms reopen on November 9.
The Leader visited Fitness First in Richmond, which is a large the 3650 sqm facility, meaning that it will be one person working out per 365 sqm.
Fitness Australia national operations manager Scott Bumpstead said the density limits was an issue the whole industry was facing.
“Venue sizes need to be taken into account rather than just a number,” Mr Bumpstead said.
“A lot of the gyms are set up as one room, which effectively means their venue cap is only 10 people, there’s more than 800,000 gym members that will be fighting for this one spot to access these facilities,” he said.
“The majority of businesses that do open will not be viable. They’re going to open to service their members and provide health and wellbeing outcomes they’re craving – but they will be operating at a loss.”
Fitness First general manager David Aitchison said the company had implemented a strict covid safe plan.
“We have a booking system where all of our members book in advance before to coming into the facility,” Mr Aitchison said.
“On arrival, they have a temperature check, sanitise and there’s a no contact check-in, so all of our members scan in so we know who’s here at any given time, so if there is a need for contact tracing we can get that done within minutes.”
He said the facilities had also implemented social distancing measures.
“In our cycle studio every second bike is decommissioned and in the cardio area every second piece is decommissioned and we’ve removed and separated certain equipment, so social distancing can occur.
“All of our members will continue to bring their towels and wipe down equipment after use.”
Fitness Australia chief executive Barrie Elvish said the State Government needed to enable more people to access gyms.
“The bigger the gym area, the higher the number of permitted people should be, all while still ensuring adherence to social distancing requirements,” Mr Elvish said.
“Some of the gyms across metro Melbourne are the size of a small Bunnings and to restrict the number to only 20 per facility, or at little as 10 if there is only one area, at any one time means for many gym owners and operators they will be opening at a loss.”
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