Get Gyms classified as an Essential Service
Donation protected
As Wales enters a 17 day “fire break” period where all but non-essential businesses will close across the entire country.
As a collective, we strongly believe that Gyms are an essential service, and it is a scientific fact that active participation in exercise through establishments such as gyms actually relieves the strain on the precious NHS through the promotion of physical and mental wellbeing. In forcing the closure of gyms, the Welsh Government is performing an incredible act of self-harm to a large proportion of its population and we cannot stand by and allow that to happen.
Just as the Liverpudlian Gym community fought (and won) against gym closures in its city – we are now going to do the same for our Country, however we want to take it a step further in getting gyms officially recognised as an essential service by the Government, as they have in other countries across Europe.
Some facts;
22,000,000 (22 million) gym visits across the UK have resulted in just 78 Covid cases.
This equates to 0.35% of cases per 100,000 gym visits.
Gyms are currently showing 1.7% of Covid cases in contrast to restaurants 9.6%.
Although we have seen multiple reports that vary massively, it is widely accepted that suicide rates amongst gym aged males increased during the first lockdown. Although we are awaiting official government data on this, some reports suggest a ~40% increase, which if true is a national tragedy. Gyms are not only important for the physical wellbeing of its members but also the mental wellbeing which is just as important given the well-publicised (and significant) lack of funding in the NHS for mental health issues.
Finally, on top of the multiple Billions in savings the Fitness industry provides the NHS, we are a key sector of the Economy adding Billions to the Treasury.
As with most other businesses, the first lockdown put a great strain on all of us. When we were allowed to reopen, we each had to spend thousands on measures to make Gyms “Covid safe”. The low transmission rates reported from Gyms mentioned above are testament to the incredible job that all Gym owners have been performing.
It is no exaggeration to say that this further “fire-break” will put the Welsh Gym industry in the most perilous position it has ever been in, threatening the employment of thousands of staff and self employed personal trainers.
We are an industry that relies on our customers becoming members, and member confidence is at an all time low as they are reluctant to join a gym when it may be forced to close at any point. We need certainty for ourselves and for our members, and being classed as an Essential Service will go a long way towards that.
Snap surveys across Welsh gyms have shown that gym members also fully support our request to remain open as an essential service and have given us their full backing.
By classifying Gyms as an Essential Service, the industry will be able to provide services that relieve the strain on the NHS and give reassurance to our members that we will be there for them - when they need us most.
Help us convince the Government that Gyms are essential
As a collective, we strongly believe that Gyms are an essential service, and it is a scientific fact that active participation in exercise through establishments such as gyms actually relieves the strain on the precious NHS through the promotion of physical and mental wellbeing. In forcing the closure of gyms, the Welsh Government is performing an incredible act of self-harm to a large proportion of its population and we cannot stand by and allow that to happen.
Just as the Liverpudlian Gym community fought (and won) against gym closures in its city – we are now going to do the same for our Country, however we want to take it a step further in getting gyms officially recognised as an essential service by the Government, as they have in other countries across Europe.
Some facts;
22,000,000 (22 million) gym visits across the UK have resulted in just 78 Covid cases.
This equates to 0.35% of cases per 100,000 gym visits.
Gyms are currently showing 1.7% of Covid cases in contrast to restaurants 9.6%.
Although we have seen multiple reports that vary massively, it is widely accepted that suicide rates amongst gym aged males increased during the first lockdown. Although we are awaiting official government data on this, some reports suggest a ~40% increase, which if true is a national tragedy. Gyms are not only important for the physical wellbeing of its members but also the mental wellbeing which is just as important given the well-publicised (and significant) lack of funding in the NHS for mental health issues.
Finally, on top of the multiple Billions in savings the Fitness industry provides the NHS, we are a key sector of the Economy adding Billions to the Treasury.
As with most other businesses, the first lockdown put a great strain on all of us. When we were allowed to reopen, we each had to spend thousands on measures to make Gyms “Covid safe”. The low transmission rates reported from Gyms mentioned above are testament to the incredible job that all Gym owners have been performing.
It is no exaggeration to say that this further “fire-break” will put the Welsh Gym industry in the most perilous position it has ever been in, threatening the employment of thousands of staff and self employed personal trainers.
We are an industry that relies on our customers becoming members, and member confidence is at an all time low as they are reluctant to join a gym when it may be forced to close at any point. We need certainty for ourselves and for our members, and being classed as an Essential Service will go a long way towards that.
Snap surveys across Welsh gyms have shown that gym members also fully support our request to remain open as an essential service and have given us their full backing.
By classifying Gyms as an Essential Service, the industry will be able to provide services that relieve the strain on the NHS and give reassurance to our members that we will be there for them - when they need us most.
Help us convince the Government that Gyms are essential
Organizer
Lawrence Gainey
Organizer