Health and wellness – both physical and mental – are hurting in Ontario. Exercise and fitness are more important than ever. And healthcare professionals agree: we need access to more, not less, physical activity.

Fitness clubs are a part of the solution, not the problem.

While high-profile, isolated incidents have gained disproportionate attention, the reality is gyms and studios are safe spaces. Our internal data shows that. And the government has not produced any data that disputes that or justifies the unfair and restrictive conditions.

And so we’re asking for your support to urge public health officials and the Ontario government to:

1. Follow science, not speculation. Let evidence-based data guide decisions. Similar to park playgrounds, there is no data that shows fitness clubs and gyms are a significant source of COVID-19 outbreaks. Just the opposite: when we were allowed to operate, we've hosted millions of safe workouts.

2. Give health and fitness experts a seat at the table when planning reopenings.  Fitness professionals have deep experience and expertise. They can help officials make informed, evidence-based decisions about safely reopening and operating fitness clubs.

3. Capacity restrictions should be based on operating space. A one-size-fits-all approach is not fair – we’re not all one size. Randomly limiting capacity to 10, 20 or 50 people doesn’t make sense when one location is a small strip mall studio, and another has the floor space of a football field. Allow gyms and studios to gradually and safely open based on a percentage of their space – just like other industries. And include group fitness classes in all phases – they can operate just as safely and responsibly.

Let’s do the right thing and get Ontario moving again.

FIC ONTARIO
Fitness Industry Council of Canada Ontario Coalition