Why gyms should be open NOW: Frustrated fitness boss claims you're far less likely to get coronavirus working out than eating or drinking out
- Gyms and fitness centres remain shut in NSW despite pubs and cafes being open
- NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said they wouldn't reopen in 'foreseeable future'
- Fitness Australia CEO Barrie Elvish state government's decision was 'illogical'
- He said gyms were not 'high risk' and they have a protocol which ensures safety
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
A fitness boss said it's 'illogical' restaurants, pubs and beauty salons were allowed to open before gyms during the coronavirus pandemic.
Fitness Australia CEO Barrie Elvish said returning to the gym posed less of a risk due to clear-cut protocols protecting members' safety.
The New South Wales Government has allowed beauty salons to return to business on June 1, while restaurants, cafes and pubs will be able to hold up to 50 customers.
But gyms remain closed, causing a headache for fitness lovers, trainers and business owners across the state.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Monday said gyms won't open in the 'foreseeable future' due to their 'health risk'.
'Look we're still working with industry on that... obviously frequent use of equipment at short intervals poses a health risk,' Ms Berejiklian said.
Mr Elvish said he was 'frustrated' by the government's 'illogical' decision.
'Fitness Australia is very disappointed that the NSW Government has not given us any clarity when gyms will open,' he told Daily Mail Australia.
Australia's top fitness boss said it's 'illogical' restaurants, pubs and beauty salons were allowed to open before gyms during the coronavirus pandemic. Pictured: Lela Senebiratne at Edge Health Club in Darwin on Friday May 15. The Northern Territory has lifted a range of restrictions but social distancing is still required
The NSW Government has failed to commit to a date about the return of gyms, causing a headache for fitness lovers, trainers and business owners across the state. Gyms have reopened in WA and the NT. Pictured: Tristan Hatt hits the gym at Fitness Playground Gateway in Darwin on May 15
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'Every other state has given us a timeline when gyms will open.
'It's incredibly frustrating at this time that NSW, the largest state, has not been able to decide an appropriate time to do that.'
Mr Elvish referred to the premier's comment that gyms are high-risk because of touch points but argued it is only the case when thorough cleaning is not conducted.
Mr Elvish, who noted beauty salons were given the green light, said he was 'frustrated' by the government's 'illogical' decision. 'Fitness Australia is very disappointed that the NSW Government has not given us any clarity when gyms will open ,' he told Daily Mail Australia
The NSW Government has allowed beauty salons to return to business come June 1, while restaurants, cafes and pubs will be able to host up to 50 customers. Pictured: Three women dine at Bondi Beach, Sydney, on Friday May 15
'If the gyms follow the protocols, we believe exercising in the gyms is not high risk,' he said.
The protocols include disabling equipment to ensure social distancing, limiting members inside venues and increased sanitising.
He said the measures would allow fitness junkies to get back to the gym safely and with confidence.
Unlike beauty salons and restaurants, Mr Elvish said gyms already have electronic monitoring implemented, which would allow them to track members if a coroanvirus outbreak occurred.
'We effectively have the COVID19 app across our gyms,' he said.
'I don't think the government understands the environment.'
Mr Elvish explained it is 'not a one shoe fits all' situation as the bans on gyms also impact small yoga and Pilates studios and leisure centres.
Fitness Australia has been in discussions with NSW Health and the treasurer about reopening gyms, Mr Elvish said.
Gyms were shut across the country on March 23 as the Federal Government moved to control the coronavirus outbreak
Pictured: Group training operates in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney, on May 15
He said there are 'two reasons to get gyms back open', including commercial losses to businesses as well as the physical and mental health of the community.
'The longer the gyms are close, the higher the risk some won't open at all,' he said.
He referred to an online petition to NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard, which calls for gyms to open with social distancing on June 1.
'Gym's are not even open for trainers to perform one on one training, let alone 50 people at a time, I feel this to be a huge injustice to a community that is serving to IMPROVE health outcomes,' the Change.org petition reads.
In a Fitness Australia statement on Saturday, Mr Elvish said the 'Ruby Princess virus outbreak started in the restaurants, not the gym'.
'Australia's fitness industry is a $3billion a year industry that employs more than 35,000 staff in over 5,000 facilities and businesses - the vast majority of which are on the eastern seaboard.
'Gym owners, operators and the industry are extremely frustrated that cafes, pubs, restaurants and hotels appear to be being given relaxed concessions.'
Mr Elvish said there is a 'misguided belief' that gyms are high-risk for a coronavirus outbreak.
Mr Elvish said there are 'two reasons to get gyms back open', including commercial losses to businesses as well as the physical and mental health of the community
Pictured: A group of people dine in at Macelleria Restaurant in Bondi Beach, Sydney, on May 15
'Because of the misguided belief gyms are high risk, the industry has a greater incentive than any other industry to make sure their facility and staff follow and enforce a strict COVID Safety Plan,' he said.
'We have done this to demonstrate the industry is willing, and ready, to do whatever it takes to reopen and provide the community with the confidence their health and safety is protected in a gym environment.
'All our operators understand the health and commercial implications of not getting it right, which is why there is so much focus on having a robust plan.'
Gyms, pools and other fitness centres fall into stage two of the Federal Government's three-step plan to restart Australia.
In the Northern Territory they reopened on May 15 - the same day as pubs and cafes - and in Western Australia on May 18.
Victoria and South Australia plan to lift fitness restrictions on June 1, while Tasmania will follow suit on June 15.
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