AusLeisure

Fitness Australia Chief Executive Barrie Elvish has suggested that “head scratching may be the only permitted indoor exercise for many Victorians” in the wake of last Thursday’s announcement by the Victorian Government of lockdown relaxations across most regional areas of the state.

While welcoming the easing, especially the ability for groups of 10 people to participate in outdoor exercise, Elvish stated “the ongoing closure of indoor exercise facilities, including gyms, leisure centres, yoga and Pilates studios and dance schools within the same regions is perplexing; especially given the fact that these venues state wide were opened at the same time as hospitality after the previous lockdown with no reported virus transmissions.”

Elvish (pictured) went on to stated “Fitness Australia, despite seeking clarification from the Victorian Health authorities, has been given no explanation for this apparent backward step.

“This is incredibly disappointing for not just the business owners and the personal trainers, teachers and exercise professionals who provide classes and programs, but for the 900,000 Victorians who are being denied their regular exercise activity and setting of choice, for no apparent reason.

“Although independent data demonstrates COVID transmission is five times more likely to occur in hospitality venues than indoor excise facilities, Fitness Australia does not support closing other sectors but rather for the government to be consistent, transparent and equitable in its decision making.

“Indoor exercise and physical activity are safe when COVID-Safe protocols are in place, as evidenced by every other Australian state jurisdiction, including the planned NSW reopening road map that has gyms reopening in line with other industries provided social distancing restrictions are adhered to.

“Getting the community back to their chosen exercise or fitness routine will deliver a much-needed boost to the mental health and wellbeing of Victorians, an alarming situation as evidenced by increasing mental wellbeing calls to organisations such as Lifeline who are experiencing 40% more calls 2 years ago.

“Ongoing engagement between the Victorian Government and the fitness industry must continue and is vital to the long-term sustainability of our sector while ensuring the ongoing safety of the community remains top of mind.”

Related Articles

12th September 2021 - How confident can fitness businesses be in AI predictions?

9th September 2021 - New Les Mills Global Fitness Report suggests members ready to ‘flock’ back to facilities

8th September 2021 - Fitness Australia survey reveals NSW members against vaccine passports and staff vaccinations

9th September 2021 - Gyms, stadiums and recreation facilities to reopen to fully vaccinated adults as part of NSW’s new roadmap to ‘freedom’

7th September 2021 - Fitness Australia launches dedicated Aqua Exercise Instructor registration

2nd September 2021 - VIC Active’s Tim Schleiger calls on Victoria’s AFL clubs and players to make use of the state’s gyms

2nd September 2021 - Victorian Government to impose stricter rules for unvaccinated athletes at 2022 Australian Open

20th August 2021 - Melbourne 24/7 gym continues to charge member fees during lockdown

29th July 2021 - Fitness Australia advises of concessions achieved for gym reopenings

21st July 2021 - Fitness Australia calls for ‘JobKeeper 2.0’ as Coronavirus lockdowns widen

6th July 2021 - Fitness Australia registered members gain access to Bupa health fund benefits

3rd July 2021 - Fitness Australia invites input on industry trends survey

9th June 2021 - Fitness Australia and Vic Active demand exercise facilities be allowed to open in regional Victoria

8th June 2021 - Highlighting safety of gym visits Vic Active says Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has ‘got it wrong’

4th June 2021 - Fitness Australia asks why Victoria’s Chief Health Officer is again targeting gyms

31st May 2021 - Bendigo gym returns to online classes through Victoria’s latest Coronavirus lockdown

27th May 2021 - Fitness Australia urges locked down Victorians not to forget the importance of physical activity

23rd March 2021 - Fitness Australia says industry ‘continues to strengthen’ 12 months since COVID-19 shutdowns

23rd February 2021 - Fitness Australia’s Barrie Elvish highlights the value of health

28th July 2021 - Victoria’s Goldfields launch wellness survey as part of World Heritage Bid

27th July 2021 - Lockdown lifted across Victoria while NSW records highest daily total of COVID cases

2nd March 2021 - VIC Active continues to highlight the safety of fitness centres

15th February 2021 - Regional Victoria launches first Seniors Exercise Park in Ballarat

1st December 2020 - Fitness Australia partners with Latrobe University to launch industry survey

17th November 2020 - Fitness Australia Chief Executive questions why gyms must close but pubs can stay open

29th October 2020 - Fitness Australia advise that risk of infection in a gym is less than ‘one in a million’

16th October 2020 - Fitness Australia’s Barrie Elvish maintains calls for gyms to open in regional Victoria

12th October 2020 - Fitness Australia provides update on meeting with Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer

8th October 2020 - Fitness Australia releases research showing impact of lockdown gym closures

25th September 2020 - Fitness Australia asserts there is no clear evidence gyms spread COVID-19

21st September 2020 - Fitness Australia’s Barrie Elvish to meet with Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer to urge gym reopening

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.