ForFitness Figuring Out How To Serve Members Ready To Hit The Gym Again
SAINT JOHN – Exercise facilities like ForFitness and Athletics in Rothesay are adapting to a new way of operating and serving their members. Some are enjoying the online classes from home; others can’t wait to hit the gym again, even with physical distancing guidelines that will be in place when they return.
ForFitness manager Emma Hicks says they’re trying to accommodate everybody and create a safe environment at the same time.
“It’s going pretty well,” she said. “We look at the recommendations, guidelines and mandates from the province regarding physical distancing, cleaning and PPE (personal protective equipment). We’re looking at the best ways to implement all of it into our space and provide a safe and comfortable space for our members to use.”
The gym has also reached out to members for feedback on how to reopen in a way that makes them feel comfortable.
Covid-19 has changed how people exercise and Hicks has heard feedback from many perspectives.
“As a business, we’re also navigating that and seeing some of these changes we may actually keep on as we move forward,” said Hicks.
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Some had a hard time sticking with online exercise classes because they’re working remotely, keeping track of their children and trying to create an exercise space while at home. Others found doing online classes at home cut down on driving and the challenges of having to manage their kids.
“One mom came to our class religiously and was here three times a week, and now that we’ve been doing it online her husband has actually been able to join her as well,” said Hicks. “They have three young kids, so they get up for the six o’clock class up in their kids’ playroom, who are still in bed.”
ForFitness offered remote training and online programming prior to the pandemic but had not incorporated online classes as part of its business.
“It’s been an interesting time to explore [online classes and training] when that was the only option that we had,” she said. “There are parts of it that may stick around for sure.”
All of the gym’s activities, from drop-in gym usage to the in-person classes, will be limited and booked in advance, with the online booking systems now in place. Online classes will remain available.
“We have a bunch of times set out throughout the day that members can look at and drop into,” said Hicks. “They still have a little bit of flexibility, but they can be assured that when they arrive it’s not going to be totally full.”
The cap for drop-in gym sessions is four people in ForFitness’ downstairs space, while in-person classes will be capped to eight people.
“In the classes, they’re going to have a spot on the floor all marked out distance-wise, so they can do their training, but still have lots of space around them,” she said.
The reopening of gym facilities such as ForFitness coincides with people wanting to re-establish or start an exercise routine as Covid-19 restrictions ease in many areas.
“I think there is an opportunity there and hopefully we find what works for people,” said Hicks. “We’re very much about supporting that long-term process and we don’t promote quick fixes because we want a sustainable lifestyle.”
The effects of cleaning solutions and how they could possibly affect the longevity of gym equipment was another issue that needed to be considered.
“As we’re spraying everything [we’re] thinking about, ‘is this going to degrade the material and the equipment?’” she said. “It is what we need to do to provide the space, so we’re just hoping it doesn’t ruin all our stuff. But it is a concern.”
ForFitness will reopen when the province gives approval, which could be as soon as June 5. The gym planned to have its first in-person classes on May 30 but was delayed because the province postponed the next step in the Phase Yellow that would permit the reopening of fitness facilities.
“We have a really great community of people that have appreciated what we’ve done online, being able to support the routines they used to do in person,” said Hicks. “It’s not ideal, we’re all really excited to get back into the facility for sure, but they’re really supportive and working with us.”