Australia’s gym boss: Why reopened gyms will be safe

Australia’s gym boss has sent a challenge to NSW Premier Gladys Berejikian as the state continues to keep gyms closed.

A date has been set for when gyms across Australia will reopen — except for in New South Wales.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said it was too soon to welcome fitness customers back, while Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Monday said gyms won’t open in the “foreseeable future” due to their “health risk”.

The lack of time frame has angered gym owners across the state, including the CEO of Australia’s peak fitness body Fitness Australia, Barrie Elvish, who slammed the premier’s position, calling it “mind-boggling”.

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Fitness Australia CEO Barrie Elvish said it is safe for gyms for gyms to open across New South Wales. Picture: Istock

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“Three weeks ago today the Prime Minister announced the relaxation nationally,” Mr Elvish said on the Today show.

“He specifically said gyms would be next cab off the rank and would be out before cafes and bars because of the importance of exercise.

“Every other state has given us an opening date but we cannot get traction in NSW for some reason.”

Pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants will be allowed up to 50 customers, subject to a one person per four square metre rule, and with strict social distancing guidelines from June 1.

“This decision has been made with expert health advice and both businesses and patrons will be subject to strict rules and guidelines,” Ms Berejiklian said.

However, Mr Elvish challenged the decision, explaining he went to a cafe last week and while he enjoyed it — he counted 12 touch points.

“When I go to a gym, I use a swipe card, go to an is sanitation station, go to the equipment, wipe it down and do my workout and go home,” adding that gyms are “absolutely safe to re-open”.

“The protocols we have put in place which we have developed for the industry — with Safe Work Australia and medical people — I believe will make it safer than lot of other environments currently open.”

He explained that when people eventually go back to the gym, they will see less equipment, a lot more signage, staff walking around cleaning equipment and plenty of sanitation stations.

Water bubbles along with showers will also be disabled.

“Let’s not forget when they go into a gym they use a swipe card so if there is an outbreak or

cluster we’ll be able to give instantaneously tracking of who was in the gym, what time and how long they were there.”

Mr Elvish said there is no reason to stand in the way of gyms reopening.

“The government will be looking closely at it. That’s why we’ll be bending over backwards to make sure it is a safe environment,” he said.

“We’re aware there are views coming from the community that should know better that we are high risk. Gyms can be high risk but don’t need to be if they can find the right protocols.”

Mr Elvish called on the premier to go to a few gyms with him, to demonstrate how safe they can be.

“It is so important for people to get out of isolation and get back and do something physically — it is important for mental health.”

A robust COVID Safety Plan Framework for the industry is already in place for when gyms can re-open.

PETITION TO REOPEN NSW GYMS

More than 22,000 fitness enthusiasts and gym owners across the state have signed a petition to lift restrictions and have indoor sporting facilities open by June 1 — with strict social distancing measures.

“Gym’s are not even open for trainers to perform one-on-one training, let alone 50 people at a time, I feel this to be a huge injustice to a community that is serving to improve health outcomes,” petition organiser Hayden Farrelly Whiley said.

He posed the question on every gym owners mind — “So curious as to why pubs and restaurants are at the forefront of re opening, but gyms are not?”