Fitness Australia urges State Government to reopen gyms as mental health takes toll
An urgent call for gyms to immediately reopen has been made by Australia’s top fitness body in a bid to rescue mental health. It comes as gym owners reveal what fitness centres will look like when they reopen their doors.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Australia’s peak fitness body has called for gyms to reopen before October 26, saying they are a mental and physical lifeline for thousands of Victorians.
Fitness Australia chief executive Barrie Elvish told the Leader gyms should reopen as soon as possible as there was a strong link between exercise and mental health.
“There are more than 900,000 Victorians with gym memberships. They need to be able to exercise, get that balance back into their system and look after their wellbeing,” Mr Elvish said.
“Personal trainers in Victoria are extremely concerned about the mental and physical wellbeing of their clients.”
Mr Elvish said the State Government’s road map to reopen gyms on October 26 was insufficient.
“There’s 1500 gyms in Victoria and more than 40,000 people employed in the fitness sector — if they don’t open soon, then a fair number of them won’t be able to reopen at all, it will be too late.”
He said the State Government should also ease restrictions on outdoor exercise.
“They are now allowing two people to go outside, but why can’t one of them be a personal trainer with their client?”
“They also need to allow gyms to do online filming of their training while people are locked up in their homes as if it’s not done under some sort of guidance or supervision people are going to hurt themselves.”
It comes as fitness guru Tony Doherty last week made an urgent plea for gyms to reopen, saying they should be considered an “essential service”.
Mr Doherty, who owns Doherty’s Gym and is the promoter of Arnold Sports Festival Australia, told the Leader gyms needed to be opened by at least October 1.
Last week, he posted a video to social media, which went viral with thousands of views, calling for gyms and fitness centres to be classified as an essential service.
He also took to Facebook and wrote the Chief Health Officer’s claims that gyms were a high-risk setting that cause outbreaks was “just not true”.
“Data collected by Fitness Australia across over 500 gyms in NSW that have reopened since June, showed 7 million visits without a single recorded case of community transmission.”
Mr Doherty said contact tracing at gyms was “far ahead” compared to any other industry.
“Members swipe in with a fob that provides their name, phone number, photograph, address and date of birth. It tells us what time they enter the gym to the very minute. It also can trace every single person that is in the facility at any given time,’’ he said.
He said gyms would have rigorous health and safety protocols in place when they reopen.
“When we reopened for eight weeks in June as people checked-in they had to sanitise their hands upon entry.
“Every machine or bench is 1.5m apart. Every second cardio machine is switched off and taped up so they can’t be used to adhere with social distancing,’’ he said.
“We have hygiene stations everywhere, with disposable paper towel and hospital grade disinfectant. Members must wipe down every bench, handle, barbell and dumbbell after every single set.”
Khalid Raffoul, of Melbourne’s southeast, said not being able to train had taken a “huge mental toll” on him and affected his overall wellbeing.
“I was training seven days a week and I had lost 50kg. The gym is a community and it’s an important part of my life and many others, they need to reopen them as a priority,” Mr Raffoul said.
But a DHHS spokeswoman said gyms were closed under Victorian restrictions as the nature of working out carries a high risk of transmission, due to sweat and heavy breathing as well as shared equipment.
“We understand everyone is making huge sacrifices and the closure of gyms have been difficult, but this strategy is working and we are driving cases down,” the spokeswoman said.
“The mental health and wellbeing of Victorians has always been our priority — we know how tough 2020 has been for the community and recognise that the mental health effects could long outlast the global pandemic.
“This is why we’ve invested nearly $200 million in additional mental health supports to help meet demand and ensure Victorians get the care they need.”
The State Government was contacted for comment.
MORE NEWS
MELBOURNE DRUG QUEEN JESSICA LEGG JAILED FOR DEALING METH, GHB
REGION MANAGERS AND COACHES LEAVE ELITE UNDER-AGE COMPETITION