Widespread social distancing measures will have to be implemented at gyms meaning there will be no showering facilities, no water machines and no chatting after workouts.
The NSW government announced on Tuesday that gyms, studios, and indoor pools could re-open across the state from June 13, with venues allowed up to 100 people at a time while classes will be limited to 10.
Fitness Australia chief executive Barrie Elvish told Daily Mail Australia the association is currently working with NSW Health to develop a series of protocols that will be implemented in gyms as the state moves into stage two restrictions.
He said venues’ capacity will be determined by how many people they can host based on the one person per four square metre requirement, while Fitness Australia is still working to clarify if the 10 class limit is per group, space or room.
Gyms have been given the green light to reopen across NSW from June 13 but strict COVID-19 measures will apply
To increase space, machines will either by removed or disabled by disconnecting the plugs or taping over them to indicate they cannot be used.
People will have to ensure they have enough water to sustain them through a workout because drinking fountains will be disabled. Showers will also be inaccessible.
Areas where people may meet to catch up after a workout, such as lounges or seated areas in venues, will also be cordoned off so people cannot gather in groups.
Although cleaning machines is already common practice, Mr Elvish said people will be encouraged to specifically clean before, not just after, ‘to take responsibility of their own health’.
Squeezing in a workout during lunch breaks or before appointments may be off the cards as showers will be disabled in gyms
Gym goers should ensure they have enough water to sustain them through a session because drinking fountains will be turned off
Staff will be increasing cleaning protocols and there will be additional sanitisation stations for gym-goers to access wipes and sanitiser.
Facilities will introduce signage to ensure people are following protocols and to direct them to the nearest sanitisation station.
This will be reinforced by staff reminding people to practice COVID-19 safety measures, as well as regular announcements via public address systems.
In some states, people will be required to book in classes.
Mr Elvish said where booking requirements will be rolled out is still under discussion, however, it will mean people will have to book ahead not only for classes but for sessions at the gym.
The time frames for workout sessions will be at the discretion of each facility and are designed to reduce people waiting outside for the capacity to drop to gain entry.
Staff will be increasing cleaning protocols and gym-goers will be told to wipe down machines both before and after use
‘What we don’t want is people congregating around outside gyms,’ he said.
Mr Elvish said gyms will be provided with the list of requirements and will have to apply the ones relevant to their facility.
However, he said restrictions will be renegotiated by July 1, therefore some may be lifted after two weeks.
‘We hope from 1 July size of class groups will increase to 20,’ he said.
‘We are in discussions with NSW to see what has to be done to make sure that is safe.
Gyms will have to complete a self assessment forms lodged to Fitness Australia to report how they are complying with these protocols.
‘Protocols will be made public so the best way to ensure they are being followed will be for people to go to a gym because they will be able to see that venues are following instructions and people are doing the right thing,’ Mr Elvish said.
New South Wales, which has 1,500 gyms, is the final jurisdiction in Australia to announce when they can open their doors after two months of lockdown.
The New South Wales government has announced when gyms can re-open after two months of lockdown
Community sport for under-18s will restart in NSW on 1 July but a date has not been set for when adult sport can resume.
Gyms are open in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory and will re-open in Victoria on 22 June.
In Queensland, indoor gyms reopen and from Friday June 5 can have up to 20 people.
In the ACT businesses, including gyms, can now have 20 people at a time with this expected to be raised to 50 on June 15.
NSW recorded six new cases on Monday, all returned travellers in quarantine. The state has not had any locally transmitted cases since Wednesday 27 May.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said: ‘I’m proud of this state for following the health advice and flattening the curve to such a point, where we can now re-introduce kids’ sports and open gyms.
‘Sport and exercise boosts morale and this is exactly what NSW needs right now.’
Gyms have opened in Queensland and can have up to 20 people. Pictured: Nicole Hall, 28, cleans weights at Club Bunker in Brisbane on Sunday ahead of today’s reopening
NSW Acting Minister for Sport, Geoff Lee said indoor and outdoor community sports for those aged 18 years and under are ready to return from 1 July.
‘Children and young people will be thrilled they can get together with friends and teammates again and I am sure parents will welcome the news too,’ Mr Lee said.
‘NSW loves sport, and I am so pleased clubs and organisations will now be able to plan their fixtures list for their seasons to resume.’
A decision on a potential return date for adult community sport will be made at a later stage.