The fitness industry is calling on the federal government to provide further clarity around the closure of gyms as it tries to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Australia’s pubs, clubs, cafes, gyms and cinemas put up shutters on Monday as severe new restrictions to battle the coronavirus pandemic began.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced ‘stage one’ restrictions on Sunday night, ordering gyms to close for six months as part of the measures.
A group of eager gymgoers show off their muscles during one last work out at Anytime Fitness in Burwood shortly before the closures came into effect
There are now a national total of 1,716 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia
Australia’s pubs, clubs, cafes, gyms and cinemas put up shutters on Monday as severe new restrictions to battle the coronavirus pandemic began
Gyms have since shut their doors and those within the industry, and their members, remain confused given the various types of facilities and services that will remain on offer.
‘It is still unclear if services offered within the fitness industry can continue to operate,’ Fitness Australia CEO Barrie Elvish said in a statement.
‘For example, can a PT (personal trainer) continue to train a client indoors in a 1:1 environment provided all social-distancing measures are in place? Or can these services only be offered outdoors?’
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said Australian Consumer Law prohibits businesses from taking payments for services when the services will not be supplied.
‘This applies whether or not your contract allows you to suspend payments,’ the website reads.
If gym members have made an upfront payment that covers the period of the closure, then the ACCC said they should be receiving a refund or credit note or voucher for that period.
But if the service has been suspended due to government restrictions, this impacts rights to a refund under consumer guarantees.
‘It is best if you contact the gym directly to request a refund or other remedy such as a credit note or voucher,’ the ACCC advises.
Fitness centers like City Gym (pictured) had put in place stringent measures to avoid the spread of COVID-19 in recent weeks, including employing extra cleaners
Many gyms were quick to email members on Monday announcing closures, with some saying they were looking to other ways of keeping members healthy and moving (Fit n Fast pictured)
Many gyms were quick to email members on Monday announcing closures, with some saying they were looking to other ways of keeping members healthy and moving.
Sydney gym Fitness Playground sent an email to members on Monday evening, explaining the move to shut the doors was ‘difficult’.
‘We also know that you have many questions about your membership, and the future of the Playground, and we are doing our best to provide answers,’ the email read.
‘As this is a rapidly developing situation, we are providing information to you as soon as we get it.’
Despite the closure, Fitness Playground is keeping members’ health the ‘number on priority’ with the use of virtual and outdoor training.
‘We will have a number of membership options for you to choose from that will allow you access to the Playground, reimagined,’ the email said.
‘These options are being designed to suit your financial situation, your unique fitness needs, your new location at home – as well as ensure our small business can keep afloat for you to return to when we reopen our doors.
Jetts Australia is also launching workouts from home dubbed ‘Jetts At Home’ (pictured)
Anytime Fitness Australia also emailed patrons regarding the closure of all gyms but is yet to announce an online alternative for members, or a pause to memberships
‘We are working with our industry body, our billing company as well as partners and suppliers to provide these solutions to you. It is unprecedented for all of us. We ask that you please remain patient and empathetic with us during this time.’
Anytime Fitness Australia also emailed its members to announce an online alternative, or an option to pause to memberships.
‘Your individual club will reach out to you later today regarding next steps, we appreciate your patience today,’ the email read.
Fit n Fast gyms said they believe gyms to be ‘essential to the physical and mental health’ but have closed due to the government restrictions.
All fees with Fit n Fast have been paused from Monday and all memberships have been suspended for the foreseeable future.
Fit n Fast are also offering a digital membership option for those that choose to exercise while at home.
‘The COVID-19 virus has presented us with unprecedented conditions, and with a regulated temporary closure has affected not only our business, but hundreds of businesses and sole traders who rely on the work that FNF and our parent Viva Leisure provide them,’ the email said.
Fitness fanatics like Glen Armener (pictured) rushed into gyms for one final workout before the lockdown comes into play across the nation at midday on Monday
Multiple other large gyms have announced their closures and plans moving forward.
Jetts Australia is also launching workouts from home dubbed ‘Jetts At Home’.
‘Led by Bart, our Training Gym Head Coach, Jetts At Home is a fantastic platform for workouts that our members can do anywhere, plus they’ll receive training tips, nutritional advice and wellbeing information that is sure to keep them fighting fit,’ the company’s Instagram post reads.
Vision Personal Training has also announced a virtual product with an Online 1:1 Personal Training service.
The industry body is also seeking clarification around the timeframe of the gym closures.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the lockdown would remain in force until midnight April 13 but may be extended.
Fitness Australia has more than 3,500 business members and more than 19,000 fitness professionals who are directly impacted by closures.
‘We are doing everything we can to support our industry and provide them with clear information,’ Mr Elvish said.
‘It was vital people continued to remain active while social distancing,’ he said.
‘Keeping active during a time of isolation and uncertainty is extremely important for our mental health and as an industry, it is our mission to ensure people can continue to exercise safely,’ he said.
Scott Morrison’s decision to shut fitness centres in a bid to reduce the spread of coronavirus is expected to result in the loss of 20,000 jobs.
Stacey Steiner, a personal trainer and fitness model, is among City Gym’s longtime staff who is effectively now out of a job
The owner of one of Sydney’s biggest gyms slammed the government’s decision, arguing the facilities should be regarded as one of the ‘essential’ services that are exempt from closures.
City Gym owner Billy Kokkinis told Daily Mail Australia they had put serious efforts in place in a bid to stay open.
‘For us it’s a bit of a disaster, we can’t understand why we have to shut – we played by the rules and did everything possible,’ he said.
‘We spent extra money on cleaners, kept people away from each other and did everything the government asked of us.
‘To come up on us and close us down… we hope we can have something to come back to when it’s all over, but we don’t know.’