Fitness industry slams State Government’s decision to keep Victoria’s gyms closed

Melbourne’s fitness industry is fighting the State Government’s decision to keep gyms closed after November 1. Now two Melbourne businesses have added their voices to the debate.

Melbourne gym owners say their clients are desperate to get back to training. Picture: Pixabay

Melbourne gym owners are calling on the state government to ease restrictions and let them open for people’s mental and physical health.

Premier Dan Andrews announced on Sunday most retail and businesses would open after November 1 if case numbers remained low.

But he refused to give an opening date for gyms, saying they were a “high-risk environment” where the deadly coronavirus could spread.

Simon Kennedy, owner of 12RND Fitness in Werribee, said it didn’t make sense to keep fitness centres closed.

His gym stepped up its already strict cleaning protocols when gyms opened briefly after Victoria’s first virus wave.

Members wiped down equipment and practised social distancing, and he said gyms had proven they could operate safely in other states.

“We get people asking daily what’s the latest update,” Mr Kennedy said.

“We opened for the two weeks in June with strict regulations around Covid safe plans … we just need to get businesses up and running and learn to live with our current environment.”

Mr Kennedy said the gym helped people with their physical and mental health, particularly during times of stress.

He said he was also worried people would struggle to workout outside in summer.

Kylie Duspara, owner of KDPT Fitness in Williams Landing, said her clients were ready to get back into training.

Gyms were challenging places to keep clean but she said smaller studios like hers could easily host one-on-one or small group sessions indoors provided they took precautions.

“Yes for my clients’ sanity and my financial situation I do (think gyms should open), but do I think it’s the best situation for the virus, I don’t know.”

Mr Kennedy said fitness centres were more than capable of operating in a Covid safe way. Picture: Facebook

Fitness Australia chief executive Barry Elvish said the Victorian fitness sector had once again been the subject of a few “disingenuous statements” by the Premier.

“All gyms interstate are operating safely and effectively with Covid safe protocols in place. Unlike the hospitality sector, gyms have had hygiene protocols in place for 10 years; not months,” Mr Elvish said.

Vic Active spokesman Tim Schleiger said the fitness industry had been betrayed by the government.

Fitness Australia data showed no cases of community transmission in New South Wales after more than 7 million gym visits across more than 500 clubs in the first eight weeks of gyms reopening.

He said the government had ignored the industry’s Covid safe plan, which was based on proven models used in New South Wales and Queensland.

“We met with the Deputy Chief Health Officer and public servants in recent weeks. They listened to our position but have done nothing. They have ignored our reopening plan that have been informed by best practice data globally,” Mr Schleiger said.

“The argument about indoor venues doesn’t stand up. Nearly every other indoor venue has been given a clear date to reopen and they don’t have the pre-existing contact tracing capability that fitness centres do.”

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