Gyms and pools could reopen next month after backlash over coronavirus lockdown easing plans
GYMS and pools could reopen next month after the government received criticism over the next stage of the Covid-19 lockdown easing plans.
Business secretary Alok Sharma has now said the government hopes a further lockdown easing will be possible next month.
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Just yesterday gym bosses told The Sun that the Prime Minister’s announcement on Tuesday, where he detailed plans for pubs and restaurants .
Some called for clarity and claimed that the government was putting the economy before the health and wellbeing of the British people.
Today 130 gyms claimed the reopening of some sectors of the hospitality industry was a victory for the "vested interest and favourable publicity over common sense and the health of the nation".
In a letter to the chairwoman of UK Active, paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson said the Prime Minister needs to intervene in order for fitness centres to reopen sooner.
She said: “At no point were any formal concerns raised about the proposed operating model within our guidance and no formal questions asked for UK Active or our operators to respond to an act we would have undertaken enthusiastically.
"Given this sequence of events, the omission of our sector has shocked the whole sector."
She also accused the government of ignoring proposals as to how gyms could effectively reopen sooner and said over 100,000 jobs could be lost.
Her comments echo that of Anytime Fitness CEO Neil Randall, who told The Sun that gyms across the country have been working on plans to reopen since May.
What changes are gym chains making before they reopen?
HERE'S what social distancing measures gym groups will have in place when they reopen
The Gym Group: The Gym Group is upping its cleaning routine and will be asking members to disinfect their machines after use.
It'll also install contactless entry to its sites, as well as introduce sanitiser stations.
Some machines will be turned off altogether, while others will have screens between them to separate customers.
It'll also ask everyone to limit their workout time to no longer than one hour.
Fitness First: Fitness First will also have enhanced hygiene measures when it reopens its 120 gyms, including PPE for staff members.
Like The Gym Group, it'll be encouraging members to help clean their machines after use.
They'll have cleaning stations and hand sanitisers around the gym floor to help you do this.
Equipment has also been spaced out so fitness buffs can keep two metres apart, while some will be turned off completely.
Temperature checks may also be performed upon entry - which will also be contactless - to ensure you're well enough to workout.
PureGym: PureGym will space out equipment and turn some machines off to accommodate social distancing.
They'll also have boxes marked out on their gym floors to show how much space you have to work out.
In addition, they'll be even more regularly cleaning in place and members will be asked to wipe down their machines with disinfectant after they've finished.
PureGym will also limit the number of customers allowed inside at one time, and they'll have a similar function on their app where you can see how busy your nearest gym is.
Contactless entry will be encouraged when you arrive, as well as the use of hand sanitisers.
PureGym has around 260 sites across the UK.
David Lloyd: Around 50 clubs have started rolling out new outdoor exercise timetables, with up to 90 classes being offered a week.
Classes on offer will include group exercises, yoga, pilates and bootcamp-style workouts such as HIIT.
There will be a maximum of five gym members plus an instructor allowed per session, and each person will have a designated area to work out in.
David Lloyd has also started opening outdoor tennis courts at 70 sites.
Like other chains, some equipment has been moved apart to allow for social distancing.
Customers are also being asked to arrive in their workout kit if possible.
In addition, David Lloyd has confirmed an increased cleaning routine to keep its gyms safe.
David Lloyd has 115 gym clubs across the country - see more details about the changes you can expect here.
Feelgood Fitness and Wellness Centre: Gyms will also use screens, as well as a one-way system to keep fitness fanatics safe.
There will also be a strict no stop and chat rule to keep fitness fanatics safe.
He also claimed that more needed to be done to make sure gyms were able to stay afloat during this period of uncertainty.
Mr Sharma said that more restrictions would be lifted if the UK continues to meet tests.
He said as we move forward the government is taking “calibrated, not giant steps”, to ease the country back into a normal way of living.
In Scotland first minister Nicola Sturgeon said “further assessment” was needed for the reopening of gyms.
However she added that it was unlikely that this would happen before July 23.
Earlier this week the Prime Minister announced that not only pubs and restaurants could reopen, but that hair salons would also be able to resume trading.
Gym owners told The Times that the government had its priorities wrong.
"Where a gym can reopen safely and many can do so far more easily than a hair salon, restaurant or pub it must be allowed to do so”, they added.
Gyms were left out of the latest announcements, as were businesses such as nail salons.
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Millie Kendall, chief executive of the British Beauty Council, said: "It's bizarre to me as nails and beauty are so hygiene and safety conscious. They're probably more prepared than any other service. The government doesn't know the subtle nuances of our industry, so this news is very frustrating."
Many sectors within the entertainment industry have also remained closed including theatres and bowling alleys.
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The Tenpin Bowling Proprietors Association accused the government of opening less safe venues first and said the sector had done a lot of work to make their centres Covid-safe.
This is while Cricket bosses are also awaiting updates as to when they can safely return to the game.
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