Heavy LIFFTing
Group advocating for immediate, safe reopening for gyms
A group of independently-owned gyms and fitness centers have joined together to express their readiness for reopening later this month.
The League of Independent Fitness Facilities and Trainers was formed by gym owners from around the state to support small gyms, private training studios, independent wellness centers, warehouse style fitness gyms, and local trainers by advocating for the immediate and safe reopening of these private facilities.
Under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home executive order, which expires May 28, gyms and fitness centers were among the many businesses forced to close their doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. The order also closed most other public spaces and businesses where people congregate for recreation or entertainment including casinos, restaurants, and theaters.
Steve and Amanda Stuecher, owners of Rochester Hills-based Rochester Performance Gym, said many people use exercise as a tool to decompress and manage overwhelming stress. They view fitness facilities as resources that can help people during these challenging times, not risks.
“Our members are made up of people of all walks of life — first responders, engineers, law enforcement officers, former addicts, and military,” the Stuechers said. “We have received numerous calls and emails from our clients struggling with weight gain, depression, and even some people turning back to their old habits...Our members already place health and fitness as a top priority in their lives, but there is only so much they can do on their own.
They added that their
entire body of work and mission has been on the “brink of devastation for weeks” due to the state’s stay-at-home order.
LIFFT has proposed 12 policies that could be implemented by Michigan gyms and fitness centers allowing them to operate safely upon reopening including:
• During phase 4 of Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan, facilities would operate at 25% of normal capacity. At phase 5, facilities will move to 50%
of capacity maximum, and at phase 6, full capacity of facility can resume.
• Prominent signage will be placed for patrons to perform “self-health checks” before entering the facility
• Patrons will wear a mask that covers both their nose and mouth while they are in the facility
• Classes and training will be “staged”, i.e, there will be no overlap between members’ reserved time slots. All members from prior time slot must leave before those who have reserved the next time slot may enter
• Drinking fountains will
remain off during the pandemic. Patrons must bring their own water bottles from home
• Patrons must wipe off equipment with bleach solution that will be amply available throughout the facility. They must wipe off barbells with alcohol solution before and after use. 11.
• The facility will be swept and mopped nightly, including bathrooms. All frequently used objects and surfaces will be disinfected at the end of each day, as well as throughout the day by facility staff and patrons. 12.
• If a patron is found to
have COVID19, or develops symptoms suggestive of COVID 19 within 48 hours of being at the facility, they must notify the facility immediately. At that time, the facility will be closed for a thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all surfaces before it will be reopened to members.
Tiffany Brown, Whitmer’s spokesperson, said the governor’s office has heard from a variety of organizations and business owners looking forward to safety re-engaging.
“We’ll be working closely with stakeholders to find a safe way forward when the
time is right based on the state’s top data and medical expertise,” she told The Oakland Press.
Tina Kinsley, LIFFT president, said many of these privately-owned gyms and fitness centers are not only at risk of shutting down permanently, but their members and communities are at risk of various health concerns.
“We need health to be a top priority now more than ever, and we need these private gyms to survive for the long-term health and economic benefits they provide the communities they serve,” she said.