We're starting to live again! The gyms open on December 3!

As of 9 October this year, all domestic fitness centres and gyms are closed. Not only their owners, but of course all exercisers are eagerly awaiting the date when they will be able to return to their sanctuaries.

This morning, the Government decided at its emergency meeting that this will happen on 3 December.
The reopening will be on a limited basis, and we will look at what measures will have to be followed in a smaller manual.

How many people can be in the fitness centre at one time?

1. The maximum capacity of the fitness centre is 1 person / 15 m2 of space (count all areas where the public moves, including changing rooms, showers, corridors, reception. Technical areas where the public does not enter are not included in the total capacity).
2. The minimum distance between exercisers and other persons in the fitness centre area must be two metres.

Personal training

1. Personal training in the form of 1 trainer - 1 exercising client is allowed, physical contact between trainer and exerciser is prohibited. The trainer and exerciser may have less than 2 meters between them, but this distance must be maintained in relation to others.

Group lessons

1. In the group exercise rooms, a minimum distance of 2 metres must be maintained between each practitioner, with a maximum capacity for group lessons of 9 practitioners and 1 instructor.
2. Only types of exercise where clients remain in their seats are recommended (e.g. yoga, pilates, health exercises, etc.).
3. Seats for individual practitioners should be marked on the floor of the room.
4. We recommend that you prefer your own mats or other exercise equipment.
5. The timetable for group classes must be adjusted to allow for cleaning, airing out and disinfection between classes. Clients from the previous lesson should leave the room, ventilation and cleaning will take place, and only then will clients be allowed to enter for the next lesson.
6. If there are several rooms for group exercises, we recommend to postpone the start of exercises in each room by at least 10 minutes - this will prevent the accumulation of people in changing rooms, showers and other areas of the fitness center.

What are the rules for using the changing rooms, showers and toilets?

For all of these areas you must provide:

1. Ongoing cleaning and disinfection of the areas where clients pass,
2. ongoing disinfection of areas that are touched by hands (flush buttons, taps, locker doors, handles...),
3. hand sanitisers (on sinks, mirror shelves),
4. Instructions to clients to limit their time in the changing room and showers to the minimum necessary and to keep a distance of 2 m as far as possible,
5. regular ventilation and, if air conditioning is used, the choice of a mode with limited air recirculation.

In addition, the following should be provided in changing rooms:

1. dispersion of people in the space as far as possible; if locker capacity allows, it is recommended that every other locker or only one locker per column be used,
2. cleaning and disinfection of the inside of the lockers during the day and after the end of the operation.

In addition, the showers should be provided with:

1. the greatest possible spacing under the conditions. In the case of anchored partitions, sufficient protection is ensured; in the case of open showers, spacing must be maintained.

What protective equipment should be used?

1. It is not necessary to cover the respiratory tract during the exercise .
2. Outside of exercise, clients must observe the general obligation to cover their mouth and nose with protective equipment in all areas of the fitness centre (entrance to the centre, changing rooms, toilets, waiting area outside the hall for group exercises, etc.) to protect themselves and all other persons.
3. In the bar area, the use of protective equipment is mandatory, except when consuming drinks and food.
4. The use of protective equipment is also required for fitness centre staff (reception, cleaning, non-exercising trainers), the only exception being staff in a stationary position who are also 2m away from others.

Disinfection, air conditioning

1. Hand sanitizers should be provided for staff and clients.
2. Hand disinfection is mandatory before the start and after the end of the exercise (i.e. at the entrance to the fitness centre, in the individual rooms).
3. Disinfectant should be used after each use of machines/exercise equipment by one client - disinfectants should be placed in visible locations in the exercise area and in sufficient quantities.
4. At the end of a group session (including circuit training), disinfection of all training equipment used must be carried out.
5. The areas where clients pass must be disinfected on an ongoing basis - regular cleaning and disinfection.
6. The tables, chairs and counter in the bar area must also be disinfected on an ongoing basis.
7. Air conditioning with separate supply and extract should be used.
   air. If air conditioning is not available, it is recommended to use air disinfection equipment and combine this with regular ventilation.

Sale of beverages and accessories

1. The operator shall actively discourage the assembly of persons within a mutual distance of less than 2 metres, including the waiting area of the bar.
2. It shall be prohibited to operate in the interior of these premises between 22:00 and 6:00. Only the sale of packaged beverages and food supplements is permitted during these hours.
3. If practicable, set up the indoor working arrangements so that the working areas allow as much distance as possible between the workers when they are carrying out their work.
4. Where possible , define corridors for the movement of clients within the premises (e.g. by means of coloured adhesive tapes, etc.).
5. In all areas of the premises, including outdoor gardens, ensure that tables are spaced so that people sitting at different tables are at least 1.5 metres apart.
6. Decontamination of used crockery, cutlery and glasses that are not disposable shall be carried out in accordance with the standard operating procedures of the establishment. Temperatures above 60 °C are recommended during the washing/rinsing process.

Further good advice and recommendations from the Czech Chamber of Fitness

1. Protective hand creams should be provided for staff in addition to regular hand sanitizers - frequent sanitizing dries out the skin, using creams will prevent skin problems.
2. If any member of your staff shows any signs of respiratory or intestinal illness (increased body temperature, runny nose, cough, frequent sneezing and sniffling, diarrhea, vomiting, etc.), their stay in the fitness center area must be terminated immediately.
3. In the event that an infected person is found in the fitness center area, we recommend that staff be 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.
4. 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 of the exercise areas. We recommend that such aids not be used temporarily.
5. Set aside special bins for infectious waste - mouthpieces, drapes.
6. Do your best to ensure that hygiene measures are observed in your centre. When a client violates the hygiene regulations, respond according to your operating rules.
7. For the easiest possible operation under strict hygiene measures , we recommend posting clear instructions for movement in the fitness centre premises, e.g. as follows:

Dear Clients,

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

There is naturally a higher concentration of people in certain areas of our centre. Please be as considerate as possible and, as far as possible, keep a distance of 2 m from other clients and staff. This is to protect yourself and your surroundings.

You may use our changing rooms and showers. However, please keep your time in them to the minimum necessary. Choose lockers so that you have plenty of space around you, enter the showers gradually, and avoid large crowds of people in one place.

Although it is possible to exercise without a face shield, use a face shield or other protective equipment in areas such as reception areas, changing rooms, bars, or where there are more people. The most suitable option is a surgical mouthguard, which can be purchased in pharmacies.

If possible, bring your own exercise mat.

We prefer contactless payment for exercise.

Please use the hand sanitizer provided when entering the fitness center area.

Use sanitizer after each use of a machine or other equipment. Clean the machine or equipment first and then treat with disinfectant; we have disinfectants available for you. Follow this procedure carefully to protect yourself and other exercisers.

When using the toilet facilities, keep a safe distance, wait until the relevant areas are clear so that there are no more than 2 metres of simultaneous presence of several people in one place. Follow the correct procedure for hand washing and subsequent disinfection.

If you experience any symptoms of respiratory or other infectious disease, please postpone your visit to our centre until you are healthy.

Again, use hand sanitizer when leaving the fitness center.

We trust 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:
Czech Chamber of Fitness - www.komorafitness.cz