If COVID-19 has taught us anything it should be that the healthier you are, the more likely you are to fight off many, many illnesses and viruses, including COVID-19. The government has NOT put health and fitness at the top of their priorities and that is despicable. Many people do not have the luxury to have a home gym and many more get their motivation for fitness from the facility and their members itself. The fact that the government has enabled shopping facilities to reopen to the public, drive-in cinemas and the entire time has allowed terrible fast-food “restaurants” to be open is shameful. Where are our priorities? Why is health and fitness NOT an essential service? 

People underestimate how positively fitness affects ones, not only physical health but their mental health. I believe the government needs to take a look at what is important for the health and well-being of their citizens, and I promise you, it is NOT McDonalds, Wendy’s or Burger King, it is Fitness Facilities.

Smaller fitness facilities should not be lumped in with the plan for larger recreational centers. They are NOT the same thing and the smaller gyms have the ability to operate with less members per class while practicing social distancing and a high level of sanitation. Allow the smaller gyms to show you their plan for reopening and I promise you will be amazed at how much effort they have put in to keep their members safe.

I have seen firsthand the effort that these small gym owners are putting in to ensure safe conditions through social distancing and sanitation. They have ALL of the regulations met and in complete honesty they have a better safety and sanitation plan than ALL of the retail stores I have been to personally. These small business owners are suffering, they are suffering terribly and they are on the verge of losing EVERYTHING all while being completely compliant, receiving NO governmental support and while attempting to do everything within their power to protect their members when they are given the green light. If that green light is not given soon, most smaller gyms will be forced to close permanently and THAT is on the Government of Ontario for not PRIORITIZING Health and Fitness.