The weight is over! Fitness fans' joy as they can start pumping iron again as gyms reopen today after coronavirus shutdown
Gym buffs and locked-down Britons with bulging stomachs can finally pump iron again today as gyms reopen after months of lockdown.
Indoor gyms and leisure centres have been among the last businesses to open their doors again to the public during the coronavirus crisis.
Fitness fanatics are expected to flock to gyms across the country today to work up a sweat, get their hearts pumping and shed some extra pounds.
And they will be able to use treadmills, cross-trainers, bikes and weights all at a socially-safe distance - and without the need for face masks.
Gym buffs and locked-down Britons with bulging stomachs can finally pump iron again today as gyms reopen after months of lockdown (pictured, PureGym in Altrincham)
Indoor gyms and leisure centres have been among the last businesses to open their doors again to the public during the coronavirus crisis (pictured, PureGym in Altrincham)
Fitness fanatics are expected to flock to gyms all across the UK today to work up a sweat, get their hearts pumping and shed some extra pounds (pictured, PureGym in Altrincham)
Gyms to return on July 25 with a limited capacity, hand sanitiser stations and booking system
Indoor sport and leisure facilities are reopening this month, including:
- Gyms
- Fitness and dance studios
- Sports venues and facilities
- Swimming pools
- Hot tubs
- Hydrotherapy pools
- Whirlpools
- Jacuzzis
A hand sanitiser station inside the Gym Group in Vauxhall, London, alongside a sign reminding to have a 'quick squirt' when arriving and leaving the premises
To reduce the risk of transmitting the virus, a number of measures will be introduced such as hand sanitiser stations and contactless payment.
Guidance will be given to customers through signage in entrances, on booking forms and websites.
Fixing doors, left open where possible, will be fitted to increase ventilation.
Reducing the need to touch other objects, such as lockers, trunks and drawers, is advised, with equipment to be made 'readily accessible'.
The avoidance of paperwork is also recommended through online platforms and enabling a booking system, to manage demand.
Sports and leisure facilities are also advised to work on a book-in-advance basis, preferably online or over the phone.
UKactive, the industry body which represents Britain's gyms, said it spent last week in talk with Ministers to set guidance for its 3,500 member firms.
It has made sure the fitness sector is 'aligned' to Government guidance in the run-up to the sector's reopening and said it is following guidance set by the World Health Organisation that people should not wear masks while exercising indoors as they may reduce the ability to breathe comfortably.
Under Government guidelines drawn up in consultation with UKactive, gyms are instead ensuring members keep two metres apart. The Government has even suggested allowing one person per 100 square feet of usable space.
PureGym, which has more than 260 outlets, said that means a club that normally accommodates 180 to 200 people at peak times will hold nearer 130, including staff.
Virgin Active will open the majority of its 42 UK gyms on Saturday but members will not be required to wear face masks.
David Lloyd also confirmed masks will not be mandatory in its 100 UK health clubs.
Other safety measures include rigorous cleaning schedules throughout the day, using disinfectant certified to kill viruses within 60 seconds, and checking employees' temperature on arrival. The gym chains also have a range of offers to help retain members.
UKactive said: 'We note the Government's decision on face coverings on shops and public transport where it is harder to keep social distancing in place.
'However, we also support the Government's consideration that there need to be practical requirements for each sector.
'As such, when it comes to gyms and leisure centres, the appropriate mitigation measures will be in place to make sure that social distancing remains. Therefore we would not expect face coverings to become mandatory in our facilities.'
Responding to news that gyms are reopening today, Richard Darwin, chief executive of The Gym Group - which runs 179 gyms in the UK - said he was 'delighted' by the announcement.
But the Group, one of Britain's biggest fitness chains, revealed it had lost around a fifth of its members during lockdown - even though it froze their payments.
The Gym Group said that 178,000 people had cancelled their memberships with one of its 179 gyms, which are mainly across England.
Before lockdown, on March 18, the company had 870,000 members. This had dropped to 692,000 on Thursday, at an average age of 32
And they will be able to use treadmills, cross-trainers, bikes and weights all at a socially-safe distance - and without the need for face masks (pictured, David Lloyd in Chigwell Essex)
UKactive, the industry body which represents Britain's gyms, said it spent last week in talk with Ministers to set guidance for its 3,500 member firms (pictured, people take part in a small exercise class at the Lionheart Fitness gym in Bedlington, Northumberland)
Graham Lilley measures out space at the Anytime Fitness gym centre in Leeds as the staff prepare for the eventual green light from the government to say indoor gyms can re-open
Direct debit repayments will now restart, but members can request to have their membership frozen for longer.
'We are in the process of un-furloughing our colleagues, who will be ready to open the doors of our gyms in England on July 25 and in the other home nations once restrictions are lifted,' Mr Darwin said.
'We are encouraged by the response of our members, the vast majority of whom are keen to get back to the gym to begin working out again.
'We look forward to welcoming them back and being able to continue providing affordable fitness for all.'
According to its own research, 92 per cent of members are keen to get back to exercising at one of the The Gym Group's 160 sites in England, 13 in Scotland and three in Wales which are all set to reopen from July 25.
The normally round-the-clock gyms will initially open from 6am to 10pm on weekdays and from 8am to 8pm on weekends.
Staff will get their temperature checked at the start of their shifts, and the number of the people in each gym will be restricted to one per 100 square feet.
The company will also launch an app where customers can monitor how busy the gym is, and check historical trends to spot patterns of when it might be safe to go.
'Opening safely is our primary concern and we have comprehensive plans in place for both our colleagues and members as we re-open our gyms,' Mr Darwin said.
'We are pleased to have been able to work with Government and the rest of the health and fitness sector on how best to operate in a Covid-secure way.
'Together with the Government we recognise the significant benefits of exercise in improving the nation's physical and mental well-being, particularly at this time as we respond to the pandemic.'
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