The goal of this petition is to allow small, boutique fitness studios (micro-gyms) to re-open as an essential business. Among the reasons these fitness studios should be allowed to re-open include ensuring the survivability of an essential industry, improving the physical health of members of our communities, and to provide a service that improves mental health during a time of stress.

The economic impact of COVID-19 has certainly had a negative impact on many small businesses, including fitness studios. It is important to the business owners and their families, the patrons, and the communities that as many as possible of these small businesses survive. As a small business that provides a service that improves health in this time of a health crisis, it should be considered essential to provide these services.

Allowing small fitness studios to re-open would help to improve the physical health of our communities. As the clients of these studios know, maintaining an active lifestyle is key to staying healthy. Many people depend on these studios and the trainers that work there to help them stay fit and healthy.

In addition to improving physical health, the services provided at these fitness studios are an important part of mental health. Exercise helps with symptoms of depression and anxiety. During times of stress, it is especially important to continue with an established exercise routine to maintain our mental health. 

These small studios are able to provide a safe and sanitary environment for people to obtain the exercise they need, while still allowing for social distancing. These boutique fitness centers are not the stereotypical large gym with many people. These studios provide a more manageable, smaller footprint that will be easier to maintain a clean, sanitary environment. Trainers would be able to work one-on-one with clients while still maintaining proper distance.

If allowed to re-open, these fitness studios would follow any necessary restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including maintaining social distance, wearing proper protective equipment, and professionally sanitizing.