To whom it may concern,

We are writing to detail the nature of micro-gyms: small private health clubs, which usually have less than 250 total members, and to justify why they need to be considered for immediate reopening. These businesses are extremely important to the overall well-being of members of the community and the staff that helps to run them. They have been hit hard by government mandated closures and as we will explain can be safely operated during the upcoming “phase 1”.

Micro-gyms are much different than 24 hour fitness clubs or large scale gyms that have thousands of members and often hundreds of occupants at once. On a normal day our micro-gyms usually hold only 5-20 people inside at a given hour. Our clubs are private and offer unique services such as individualized programming design, nutritional services and plans, fitness coaching and group class. For many who are pre-diabetic, have a family history of heart disease, obesity or are fighting to prevent other chronic disease, our club is “essential’ to their lives. For many others we are a cornerstone to keeping their mental health in check as the benefits of intense exercise and nutritional guidance go a long way to improving one’s mental health via dopamine response and other positive effects. It should also be noted that exercise can be quite beneficial to boosting one’s immune system by lowering their cortisol levels, reducing bacteria growth in the lungs, and briefly raising the body’s core temperature which can also help fight against illness. Many can simply not achieve these sort of results while working out at home due to a lack of motivation, knowledge, or in-person accountability.

Microgyms are dedicated to helping improve one’s health and longevity and that does not stop with COVID-19. We have a plan to help prevent the spread while also allowing those who feel safe enough to come do a workout, the ability to do so. This plan includes: only allowing six people within the facility at a time (depending given square footage),  giving members their own personal set of equipment for each visit that has been sanitized prior and will be sanitized thoroughly post workout, having a professional sanitization company come in multiple times a month and recording when they are here. We are also dedicating several sanitization stations throughout each facility. Not to mention door handles, restrooms, floors and other highly touched surfaces will be routinely disinfected throughout the day.

The club will be laid out in a way where each of the five members (in this example), each hour will have an area of at least 10’x10’ dedicated to them as to adhere to social distancing; while also providing some extra space to account for heavy breathing. Extra masks will be available as well for anyone who needs one. Any guests will need to reserve their spot prior to arriving and confirm they have not had any symptoms of COVID-19 in the last two weeks before participating in any in-person services. All other services will be done meeting standard social distancing procedure and many will be done virtually if applicable. When possible, facilities will also open any bay or garage doors; as well as bring equipment outside so air flow can help prevent any spreading that may be possible.

Staff will be educated on how to ensure proper procedure, hygiene protocols and symptoms to watch for of COVID-19. If any staff member or patron becomes infected, the business will close until proper sanitization and disinfecting has been done to ensure everyone’s health and safety upon resuming operation; and we will will advise the infectee and those that were exposed by them to follow proper quarantining measures before returning. 

 
Please feel free to contact us with any further concerns or questions about how our microgym businesses are run and how we plan on stopping the spread of the virus while also resuming our businesses for any patrons. We would like to leave you with a reminder that implementing preventative health measures and improving health signals via exercise and nutrition should not go to the wayside during these times as they are crucial for many people who might otherwise fall ill. We are willing to take extra precaution and do whatever we can so that we can get back to helping them and making our town and community a healthier and safer place to live. Thanks you.

References:

Vorvick , Linda. “Exercise and Immunity: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Jan. 2018, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007165.htm.

“Reopening: Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces.” Edited by MA GOV, Mass.gov, 12 May 2020, www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-mandatory-safety-standards-for-workplaces