OUR OWN “STRIKE FORCE” || March 16th, 2020. BEFORE any mandates were in place. Our facility organized 12’x 12’ individual stations. No equipment sharing. Disinfectant spray /towels at each station. Disinfectant wipes available where needed

To Governor Abbott,

It is time to open Texas gyms. Many small businesses were ahead of the state, hell even national government. We understand you have a job to do, and so do we. Our leaders work with people in our membership on a daily/weekly basis to ensure a strong metabolic health. A health that is BUILT, not bought. You say dentists can return, yet they are directly working on the MOST dangerous area of the body for the spread of this virus, and must be “up in the business” of their patients. Why then, can a responsible coach not perform their job as a Preventive Health Professional?

I’m sure you have been, and will continue to receive countless emails, texts, phone calls. Look for us on your caller ID. Our question??? If you feel that the good people of Texas can go into a store, touch things and walk over the same areas with out cleaning/disinfecting between each touch ...then why are those same good people unable to responsibly continue their journey of health under the supervision of their coach? Where the coach has the rapport and respect of the individuals they work with...and those individuals are ready AND have already PROVEN that they will vigorously clean and disinfect the equipment they use, and have adhered to distance practicing within the “gym” environment already.

We know not all “gyms” are created equal. Please reconsider coaching facilities, especially those that have outdoor options, in the same light your team has made these decisions for the “open -mouth -right -in -the -kisser” businesses. Again, as you stated in your press conference today, nobody is mandated to go back to business. We contest that people are not mandated to go back into the gym...only those that CHOOSE to do so.

1-on-1 coaching has 3 options for cueing and correcting. The removal of tactile cuing is a no-brainer. Coaches can easily give corrections from a safe distance using only visual and verbal cuing. Do grocery stores have that ability? Not a chance. One stroll through the store and you can see countless people touch things with ZERO disinfecting before the next customer comes along and touches the same product on the shelf. We know people need food. In the last decade or so, more people have woken up to the fact that many things begin and end with our health or lack thereof.

As a coaching facility that works with people to reduce their current risks of chronic diseases such as obesity, Type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, etc., why would that not be considered an essential business? Our fitness community knows and respects each other as a family. They look out for each other. They work to achieve common goals. We have no doubt, they will work together to move beyond this season of confusing and frustrating times.

To our CFA family and the preventative health community at large....we’ll continue to fight for you!