Tomorrow, April 27, we can go to the gyms again!

In the wake of the spread of the Covid-19 viral disease, which has been sweeping across Europe since early March, the Czech government has decided on a series of measures to prevent its uncontrolled spread among humans. One of these measures was the closure of gyms and fitness centres, which have been empty since 13 March.

Since the black scenarios regarding the number of infected persons have not been confirmed, the government decided at its meeting on 14 April 2020 that the individual strict measures will be gradually relaxed. One of these was the reopening of gyms, which were due to open on Monday 11 May.

However, the whole thing was to be dependent on how the Easter holidays, which were marked by the greatly relaxed morale of some irresponsible citizens, would affect the figures on the number of sick people.

Even this did not produce any significant wave of new infections, and so the Government decided to return to normal life much more quickly!

As a result, fitness centres and gyms may open to the public as early as Monday 27 April, a full 14 days early!

However, strict hygiene measures must be taken into account!

How many people can be on the premises at one time?

• Maximum capacity of the fitness centre: 10m2 for 1 person exercising, for example if the fitness centre has 150m2 of exercise area (group exercise rooms + gym area + cardio zones...), there can be a maximum of 15 people in the fitness centre at any one time.
• Spacing - the distance between each person in the fitness centre area should be at least 2 metres.
• Personal training in the form of 1 trainer - 1 exercising client is allowed, physical contact between trainer and exerciser is not recommended.
• Group classes are allowed with a maximum capacity of 8 clients + 1 instructor/trainer.

What facilities can be used?

• The changing rooms and showers cannot be used for changing or showering.
• Toilets can be used as long as the spacing between people is maintained.

What protective equipment must be used?

• You will only be allowed to enter and move around the fitness centre with your mouth and nose covered.
• Fitness center staff (front desk, trainers, instructors) must use protective drapes.

How should I pay for services?

• Contactless payments are preferred.

Disinfection, air conditioning

• Hand sanitizers should be provided for staff and clients.
• Hand disinfection is mandatory before the start and after the overall end of the exercise session (i.e. at the entrance to the fitness centre, in the different areas).
• Disinfectant must be usedafter each use of machines/exercise equipment by one client - disinfectants should be placed in visible locations in the exercise area and in sufficient quantities.
• Ongoing disinfection of areas where clients pass - regular cleaning and disinfection should be carried out. Recommendations for cleaning are attached in a separate file.
• Air handling equipment with separate air supply and exhaust should be used. If air handling equipment is not available, it is recommended to use air disinfection equipment and combine it with regular ventilation.

Group lessons

• In rooms for stationary group exercises without personal contact (single-site exercises - yoga, pilates, spinning, etc.), the exercise places must be marked so that the necessary distance between the individual practitioners is maintained at least 2 metres, always keeping the maximum permitted capacity of 8 practitioners plus the trainer - each client has his/her own exercise place and equipment for himself/herself, and there is no exchange of places or exchange of equipment between practitioners.
• Prefer to use your own mats or other exercise aids.
• The timing of group sessions must be adjusted to allow for cleaning, airing out and disinfection between sessions. We therefore recommend a minimum of 15 minutes breaks between each lesson, clients from the previous lesson should leave the room, ventilation and cleaning will take place and only then clients are allowed to enter the next lesson.

Sale of drinks, supplements

• Only packaged drinks and packaged food supplements can be sold.

More good advice and recommendations from the Czech Chamber of Fitness

• In addition to regular hand sanitizers, protective hand creams should be provided for staff - frequent sanitizing dries out the skin, and using creams will prevent skin problems.
• In the event of an infected person being found in the fitness centre area, we recommend that staff are divided into at least two independent teams that will not meet. Should one team need to quarantine, the other team is ready to move in after the fitness center area has been completely disinfected.
• Consider the use of small exercise equipment for the duration of the tightened measures so that their regular disinfection does not practically complicate the operation in the exercise areas. We recommend that you do not use such aids temporarily.
• In group exercise rooms, mark exercise areas on the floor. Currently we can exercise with a maximum of 8 clients. Keep a minimum distance of 2 m from other exercisers, or more if necessary to allow for more movement in one place (more dynamic exercise styles). For spinning and similar activities, reduce the number of wheels to 8 - e.g. by marking which wheels can be used and which cannot, for larger numbers of wheels you can have 2 sets of colour coded wheels that are used interchangeably - good for proper sanitisation.
• As far as drapes are concerned, we recommend the use of surgical drapes, which can already be bought in pharmacies and in our experience are the most suitable and comfortable for exercise. You can also have them available at reception, ideally in a separate pack for each wrap.
• Set aside special bins for toxic waste - mouthpieces, drapes.
• For the easiest possible operation under strict hygiene measures , we recommend posting clear instructions for moving around the fitness centre premises, e.g. as follows:

Dear clients,

To ensure your safety and the safety of all those who take care of you, we ask you to observe the following rules:

1. Come to us already dressed in sports clothes, just change into sports shoes designed for indoors.
2. Please remember that you must keep your mouth and nose covered when staying with us, e.g. we recommend surgical mouthpieces, which can be purchased in pharmacies, as the most suitable option.
3. If possible, bring your own exercise mat.
4. We prefer contactless payment for the exercises.
5. Water, other beverages or food supplements can be purchased from us, of course only in bottled form.
6. Please use prepared hand sanitizers when entering the fitness center area.
7. Place your outdoor shoes in your gym bag, which you will place as instructed by our staff.
8. Always maintain a safe distance of at least 2 metres from other exercisers.
9. Use disinfectants after each use of the machine or other equipment. Clean the machine or aid first and then treat with disinfectant, we have disinfectants available for you. Do this carefully to protect yourself and other exercisers.
10. When using the toilet facilities, keep a safe distance, wait until the relevant areas are clear so that no more than one person is in one place at the same time at a distance of less than 2 metres. Follow the correct procedure for hand washing and subsequent disinfection.
11. Use hand sanitizer again when leaving the fitness center.

We believe that we can manage the strict hygiene measures together and you will feel safe with us. If you have any questions or operational deficiencies, please contact our staff. We are fully at your disposal.

Source:
www.komorafitness.cz