Coronavirus Australia: You can still train outside under new government rules

With gyms closing down all over the country, many are now wondering if they can train outdoors? Here’s what you can and can’t do.

As gyms and fitness centres have been shut under government guidelines to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, can you hit the great outdoors to get your exercise fix?

In short, yes. But there are rules.

From midnight all personal training and bootcamp sessions outdoors will be limited to 10 people per group under strict new limits announced by the Government on Tuesday night.

The tighter limits comes after initial confusion over what was covered by the ban on gyms, which came into play on Monday by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Mr Morrison said yoga and barre studios, spin facilities, saunas and wellness centres were all covered by new closure orders.

“Boot camps and personal training is limited to a maximum of 10 people,” he said.

“And the social distancing arrangements must be strictly enforced.” This means at least 1.5m between each person. The changes come in from midnight Wednesday night.

Gyms and indoor sporting facilities have been forced to shut. Picture: MatrixPictures

Mr Morrison said social, sporting-based activities and swimming pools were also included.

He said the aim was to limit the gathering of people in large numbers that could lead to the transmission of the virus, such as social sporting activities at community ovals.

Following the closure of gyms and yoga studios countrywide, many have now taken their business online to continue to encourage clients in maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle, particularly during these challenging times.

Fitness Australia CEO Barrie Elvish said outdoor training in a park or open space could be an alternative option in addition to online workouts, provided it can be delivered locally and with the appropriate social distancing and strict health and hygiene practices in line with Fitness Australia’s guidelines.

“Fitness Australia has received advice from South Australia’s Health and Wellbeing Minister’s Office and Tasmania’s Sport and Recreation Minister’s Office that outdoor training is OK if social distancing and hygiene protocols are adhered to. One-on-one training in a private setting, for example someone’s house, has also been deemed OK, but not in a purpose-built gym or fitness facility,” Mr Elvish said.

Gym junkies get their last workout at the Anytime Fitness at Burwood just after the cut-off time on Monday, March 23. Picture: MatrixPictures

Aussie fitness model Steph Claire Smith, co-founder of Keep It Cleaner, is offering free at home KIC workouts every Wednesday and Friday morning at 7am via Instagram. Picture: Instagram

“People are still encouraged to train with their trainer outside. If your trainer is registered with Fitness Australia then they adhere to the relevant guidelines to ensure the safe delivery of outdoor training sessions,” Mr Elvish said.

Fitness Australia is also calling on all councils across Australia to allow registered exercise professionals access to permits which would enable them to safely deliver outdoor training in a park or open space.

The City of Sydney council which was one of the first LGA’s to announce it would be cancelling or postponing all non-essential events, gyms and aquatic centres told news.com.au the City’s long-held policy is to not charge or require permits for outdoor fitness training.

“We strive to remove the barriers to participating in physical exercise,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore told news.com.au in a statement.

“Personal trainers and the public should abide by current social distancing guidelines and if these are not being complied with, we may change our position.

“Sports clubs aren’t using our big fields at the moment, so we ask personal trainers to use these fields and our large parks, and to leave smaller parks and playgrounds for children and families. Trainers should also avoid using equipment that is shared among participants.

“We have a Code of Conduct for outdoor trainers, to promote fair access to public land for fitness trainers and the broader community alike. I encourage any trainer moving their services outside for the first time to sign up to our outdoor fitness training code – it’s quick, easy and free.”

A spokesperson for Waverley Council in Sydney’s east said it understands how important it is for people’s health and wellbeing to able to continue to do exercise during these challenging times.

It has advised its community to adhere to the Australian Government’s strict guidelines about social distancing and public gatherings.

“Our Council is looking at ways we can continue to support the provision of outdoor group training permits in line with the Government’s responses to COVID-19 and are seeking advice from NSW Health. We will update the community once we know more.”

Mr Elvish said it is important for councils to provide support to exercise professionals, many who are sole traders, so they can continue to earn a living and provide a vital service to the community in terms of managing and maintaining mental and physical health.

“Keeping active during a time of isolation and uncertainty is extremely important for our mental health and as an industry it is our mission to ensure people can continue to exercise safely,” Mr Elvish said.

Fitness Australia, which has more than 3500 business members and more than 19,000 fitness professionals, is continuing to advocate for gyms to be classified under the essential services category given their important role in managing and maintaining mental health and overall wellbeing.

“Fitness Australia wants to work with the Government to put the right measures in place to allow gym operators to provide vital exercise opportunities for the community to maintain and manage their physical and mental health,” Mr Elvish said.

Following new restrictions classes must be caped at 10 people an adhere to social distancing. Gyms can now do bootcamps but must adhere to social distancing.

HOW HAS IT AFFECTED BOUTIQUE GYMS?

After six years in business, Raph Freedman, co-founder of Sydney’s Creature Fitness, said he was devastated when the announcement was made to shut gyms indefinitely.

“It was not knowing when we could open again,” he told news.com.au.

“But we had a realisation — it wasn’t a gym, we have a job to get people healthy and fit and noticed this as more important now, than ever before.

“We have evolved in how we get that done for clients.”

While the doors to his Marrickville, Bondi Junction and Edgecliff gyms remain closed, Mr Freedman has found hope in being able to offer outdoor training classes despite the cap.

“That’s still amazing, it makes an enormous difference for us,” he said.

The Sydney local, who appeared on Shark Tank with gym co-founder Rory Boyden in 2017, offers one-on-one training sessions (maintaining social distancing) and small groups of nine clients and the trainer, adding that he is grateful he hasn’t had to let go of any of his nine staff yet.

“Every one of my clients tells us, ‘This is what’s keeping me sane.’”

Creature Fitness clients jumping with joy that they can still train.

For those of his members who have lost their jobs or are experiencing financial hardships, Mr Freedman has waived their membership indefinitely, allowing them to train for free.

Creature Fitness is also offering online workouts for clients, which a lot of gyms are also doing.

But sadly, following the Australian Government’s decision to shut fitness centres, the martial arts community has suffered hugely.

Andrew Parnham, owner PTJ Muaythai Gym in Sydney said unfortunately due to the current government restrictions he has had to close down his business.

“All other martial arts facilities are in the same boat and it’s an extremely difficult time,” the Muaythai Australia NSW president told news.com.au.

Inside the very busy PTJ Muaythai Gym in Sydney before having to shut its doors. Picture: Instagram/ptjmuaythaigym

Inside the gym now. Picture: PTJmuaythaigym

“We could offer boot camps and training sessions outside, however it simply isn’t the same without the physical contact. There is also a huge social responsibility piece and if we decided to take that option and someone got ill, then it would tarnish our brand.”

To stay afloat, Mr Parnham is offering members online classes, physical challenges and giving away free equipment to keep them physically active.

Pending government assistance, if the lockdowns continues past three months, the Muay Thai gym owner said they will be “staring down the barrel of a closure”.

“We have local and foreign staff who have been with us for years and this would mean we would struggle to keep them employed, and the foreign nationals would potentially have to be sent home.”

“We'd like to send our very best wishes to all martial arts clubs and sports clubs doing it tough that everyone is in this together.

“If we are smart, look for solutions, adhere to social distancing measures and encourage them with our members, we could see each other on the other side of this horrible situation.”

Despite his own struggles, Mr Parnham has been collecting food donations to make hampers for staff at Ryde Hospital who are currently working under extreme pressures.