Open the Maryland Fitness Industry Safely

Open the Maryland Fitness Industry Safely

Started
May 13, 2020
Petition to
Governor - Maryland Larry Hogan and 1 other
Signatures: 902Next Goal: 1,000
Support now

Why this petition matters

Started by Victoria Kent

Fitness is vital to the health and wellness of Maryland residents and is far safer and more critical to public health than tobacco, retail, or the other numerous industries that have been reopened. It is time to safely reopen the Maryland fitness industry. The foundation of the fitness industry is to improve and advocate for the health of our clients. Our services not only aid in physical and mental health, but also assist the medical industry. A continued shut down of the fitness industry will result in a serious increase in health conditions and injuries, creating further burden on our already fragile medical systems. 

The fitness industry in Maryland has been crippled by broad sweeping generalizations of gyms. Current restrictions group globo-gyms and micro-gyms or boutique/specialty fitness programs into the same category despite distinct differences. The micro-fitness industry includes small fitness studios, private training facilities, yoga and barre studios, athletic development specialists, personal trainers, strength & conditioning facilities, post-rehabilitation specialists, weight management facilities, nutritionists, and beyond.

Micro-gyms and specialty fitness facilities provide physical and mental health benefits without the added risk posed by globo-gyms.

Battling COVID-19 Physical Risk Factors: The CDC lists conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiorespiratory conditions as risk factors for complications of COVID-19. Exercise and proper diet (particularly that which is guided by a professional) are regularly prescribed to help combat these issues.

Increasing Immune Responses: Performing regular exercise of moderate- to vigorous-intensity exercise has been shown to improve immune responses to vaccination, lower chronic low-grade inflammation, and improve various immune markers.

Mental Health: Regular exercise has profound benefits for mental health. Exercise aids in reducing major depression, stress, anxiety, ADHD, stress, PTSD and trauma. Clients in training programs to aid in these symptoms are currently suffering.

Mental & Physical Disabilities: Guided exercise is prescribed for many clients with emotional or mental delays and disabilities in conjunction with therapists and case workers.

Essential to Healthcare: The services provided by the micro-fitness industry and private fitness professionals are critical to the physical and mental health and well-being of Marylanders and should be considered essential business. The benefits created by the fitness industry relieve the medical industry and have a direct impact on quality of life for Marylanders.

Injury Prevention: Proper strength and conditioning is vital to injury performance in athletics. Failure to allow proper physical maintenance will result in an unprecedented number of athletic injuries when sports at all levels resume, creating an additional surgical burden on the healthcare system. Delayed treatment can result in permanent and/or career-ending injuries.

Student Athlete Scholarships: For many Maryland students, athletic scholarships have allowed them an opportunity for higher education. These scholarships are dependent on their ability to perform at physically elite levels and failure to do so can result in a loss of scholarship. This requires year-round conditioning and professional training to maintain performance.

Valuable Community Partner: Gyms partner or contract with post-rehabilitation practitioners, massage therapists, chiropractors, and many others for client wellness and community initiatives.

Proposed Guidelines:

  • Capacity Limits: 10 people or less in facility OR 20% or less of building operating capacity code. Per Maryland law, which follows the NFPA Life Safety Code, gyms are required to adhere to 50 sqft per occupant in exercise rooms with equipment and 15 sqft for exercise rooms without equipment. This would ensure 250 sqft per person in equipment rooms – more than enough room to easily ensure social distancing. Capacity should be adjusted in consideration of the closed areas of the facility pursuant to these guidelines.
  • Appointment Only & Supervision Required/ Staffed Hours: Under first phase allow clients to access facility only during registered times with assigned instructor, eliminating “open-gym” and ensuring sanitation of all equipment between clients. Under second phase allow “open-gym” during employee supervised/staffed hours only.
  • Class Attendance Limits: Restrict number of participants in fitness classes so that participants can maintain 10 feet between one another.
  • Equipment Spacing: Place PPE partitions between equipment that cannot be spaced out to safe social distancing standards, OR; Close access to equipment that would otherwise hinder social distancing. i.e.: Tape off every other piece of cardio equipment so that clients have ample space between them.
  • Eliminate/Close Common Areas: Eliminate or close waiting areas, break rooms, check-in counters, water fountains, and social areas. Clients should wait until their appointment time in their vehicle. Parents or caretakers should remain in their vehicle instead of a waiting area. Encourage clients to provide their own water.
  • Utilize Open Air Options: Many small facilities are housed in warehouse-style facility with access to large roll up doors or open-air areas, can utilize fields, parking lots and outdoor turf areas. Indoor turf areas provide ample space for social distancing. Use of these options should be encouraged as much as possible.
  • Group Fitness Classes: Only allowed if classes can be completed in accordance with social distancing guidelines. No skin on skin contact.
  • Consider Limiting Workout Length: to avoid unnecessary exposure and allow for additional sanitization.
  • Facilities to adhere to all sanitation guidelines compliant with the CDC’s recommended guidelines in conjunction with the EPA’s approved disinfectants.
  • Hand Sanitation Upon Entry: Required of all employees and clients upon entry to the facility. Place hand sanitation stations near entrances.
  • Equipment Sanitation: Require staff and/or client to sanitize each piece of equipment before moving to the next piece of equipment. Where possible, limit the number of pieces of equipment used in each training session. Encourage clients to use only one piece of equipment at a time.
  • Provide and Require Anti-viral Sanitation: Sanitation wipes, cleaner, or spray for use by staff and/or clients. Sanitation method must adhere to CDC recommendations.
  • Screen Clients & Employees for Illness Upon Entry:
    • Best practice: Temperature checks for every customer. Persons with temperatures above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit should not be permitted on premise
    • Minimum: Question customers regarding COVID-19 symptoms: Have you been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19? Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat? Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?
  • Limit or Eliminate Frequently Touched Surfaces: Remove and/or reduce the use of frequently touched surfaces. Provide increased sanitation at regular intervals for surfaces that cannot be removed or reduced.
    • Eliminate touch screen check-in or payment surfaces for use by clients. Assign staff to using these tools and encourage clients to keep a credit card stored on file for payment use when possible.
    • Close locker room access except for toilets and sinks (if facility has locker room.) Ask clients to change and shower at home.

Fast Facts:

Of the estimated 716 facilities in Maryland, 43% report having only 1-4 employees, vs 45% of facilities that report staff sizes of 10+ employees. These larger facilities make up the “globo-gyms.”

The Maryland fitness industry employs approx. 14,000 exercise trainers, instructors, coaches, athletes, and specialty providers. This number does not include supporting roles such as management or administrative staff, post-rehabilitation specialists, chiropractors, physical therapists, weight loss specialists, and nutritionists that are employed by the industry.

Fitness facilities were the first industry in Maryland to be shut down. Most of the fitness industry is not eligible for PPP, EIDL, or State grant programs.

 

Understanding the Micro-Fitness Industry:

Often Appointment Only in Nature: Attendance is for specific instruction/supervision and by nature appointment only. People patronize these businesses for individualized care and specific instructional purposes. This allows these facilities to provide stringent access control to facilities.

​Equipment Use & Sanitation is Supervised: Clients are only using equipment with supervision of instructor, making sanitation practices easy to control.

​Low Number of Clients: It is normal for these facilities to have under 10 clients at any given time during the day. Many facilities do not have traditional memberships or extensive contracts and are considered “bond-exempt” by the state.

​High Staff to Client Ratio: Ratios of 1:1 – 1:5 staff to client are very common. This allows for greater ease in sanitation of client used equipment, monitoring client activity, and enforcement of health regulations. Staff is generally highly experienced and invested in client well-being.

​Low Foot Traffic - Social Distancing is Easy: Micro-Gyms and Specialty Fitness facilities can easily place social distancing restrictions within their facilities as it is normal to have very low attendance numbers.  Clients can spread out.

​Lack of Amenities Reduces Transmission: Specialty fitness facility often lack amenities seen at globo-gyms. It is very unusual to see tanning beds, saunas, childcare, or even showers. This reduces the risk of transmission

​Employees Are Often Self Employed or 1099 contractors who are paid based on commission. This makes it increasingly difficult for these businesses to qualify for EIDL, PPP, or Maryland State grant programs. Strong community ties and long-term plans to reinvest in communities.

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Signatures: 902Next Goal: 1,000
Support now
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Decision Makers

  • Larry HoganGovernor - Maryland
  • Kelly M. SchulzMaryland Secretary of Commerce