Right now fitness professionals are fighting for their financial lives across Victoria. It is that serious.

Like thousands of Victorians, I enjoy organised exercise almost every day, but not during COVID-19.

We Victorians love our fitness professionals as they drive us to achieve our best selves - they facilitate our gym work, personal training, real and shadow boxing, mixed and every martial art, yoga, dancing, gymnastics, swimming, barre, athletics, bootcamp and countless more fitness exercises.

In my experience, the fitness community has responded to COVID-19 with amazing generosity. Many, if not most, are not even accepting (in fact declining) membership fees, even though many of us are still willing pay just to support these business - most of which are the smallest of our State's small business owner-operators.

They are our modern day small business exemplars, and they need our help.

By signing this petition we understand community health and the prevention of the spread of COVID-10 comes first.

All we ask, is that the hundreds of thousand of small business people that make up the fitness community in Victoria are not forgotten, and that as soon as possible, you (Premier Daniel Andrews) ease the 'shut-down' restrictions to allow them to go back to work when it is safe to do so - not a moment later.

This is not just about doing some exercise. It is about not underestimating how tough the entire fitness community are doing it, and how much of a fight for their financial lives they are engaged in. These driven, industrious, energetic and enthusiastic entrepreneurs don't merely improve our physical fitness - critically, and particularly during these challenging times, their work has a positive impact on our collective and individual mental health.

Please get the fitness community back to the mat, yoga studio, boxing-ring, pool, beach, dojo, oval or track, and remember (as our friends at Beyond Blue understand (copied below)) the important mental health benefits achieved through sports, group training and exercise are vital for Victoria:

"- The social aspect that comes with being part of a team is fantastic for your wellbeing. Even if you join a team not knowing a soul, sport has a funny way of fast-tracking friendships. Human connection is such an important factor in maintaining good mental health. Being part of a team adds a support network that you wouldn’t otherwise have.

- Sport is a proven de-stressor. It forces you to apply yourself fully to the task at hand, leaving behind thoughts and worries you may have had beforehand. In their place, sport stimulates the release of endorphins, which are your body’s natural happy chemicals.

- Playing a sport alongside others teaches us the value of teamwork. Instead of reading about it or being lectured about it, sport forces you to put it into practice. It also helps develop leadership skills that can be applied in all areas of life.

- Team sports teaches you how to deal with setbacks. No team wins all the time. Dealing with a loss or a poor performance, learning from it and trying again is all part of the journey. Setbacks build resilience and this can be carried over into everyday life, helping you to navigate the tough times and find a way through them.

Playing sport helps you get a better night’s sleep. We all know how important sleep is to our overall wellbeing – after training or competing, mind and body are ready for a good night’s rest."

Please share with your friends, family, and colleagues. Thank you.