It's common knowledge that working out boosts immunity and helps with overall wellness. You can't really stay healthy without some sort of physical activity. For many of us, staying healthy included going to the local gym or fitness center. As the fear of COVID-19 grew, perspectives shifted and the general feeling from the public was that Fitness Centers overall were not safe. Getting that extra set in at the gym was simply not worth the risk of contracting the virus. 

Now, several months into this pandemic, the question remains, "Are health clubs safe?" IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sports club Association says "YES" and has prepared a presentation that shows clubs have taken the lead and are among the safest public businesses in operation, and that with proper sanitization protocols in place, people can safely return to their workout routines.

Working out has never been more important to help boost immunity and improve mental health. It's time to acknowledge that health clubs are safe. Active Wellness has created our Reopening Playbook which follows health authority guidelines and has been validated by our partners at Providence St. Joseph Health to implement the highest levels of cleanliness and ensure safe social distancing. 

In this recent presentation, IHRSA highlights how clubs in the fitness industry have taken lead in establishing the safest precautions and operational practices for businesses in operation. IHRSA reviews examples of how clubs have prepared to be safe as well as examples of how safe clubs truly are.   

"We have a responsibility to educate and inform fitness facility operators how to best prepare their facilities to open safely, securely and thoughtfully, and people so that they can feel comfortable and confident going into fitness facilities throughout the world."

-IHRSA

The presentation titled "Health Clubs Are Safe" by IHRSA can be found HERE . It features the above content along with a links the "Visit to Virus Ratio" article and NPR's All Things Considered where IHRSA's EVP of Public Policy, Helen Durkin, discusses the risk of going to the gym.

Please share your feedback in our comments below. Active Wellness is a proud member of IHRSA and the California Fitness Alliance. We are working with these organizations to advocate for fitness centers to be allowed to reopen across the US.