Here’s a further update concerning Indoor and Outdoor Exercise in England subsequent to Tier 4 implementation in the south of England effective December 20th.
Local COVID Tier 1:
- Indoor gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres and studios can open following the local restriction tiers.
- Outdoor exercise classes and PT can continue, assuming Covid-secure guidance in a public outdoor space or private garden. Outdoor exercise classes fall under the Organised Sports participation events The rule of 6* should be followed around socialising.
- Indoor exercise classes and PT can take place assuming Covid-secure guidance.
- Indoor numbers remain limited by size of venue and social distancing guidelines. The rule of 6* should be followed around socialising.
- Multiple groups are allowed within a venue, but each group should not exceed six unless they are from the same household.
- Indoor PT can take place (including in private houses) in groups of up to 6 people from different households (5 plus the PT).
- Exercise classes can take place at community centres and halls, assuming Covid-secure guidance* Rule of 6 – You must not socialise in groups larger than 6 people, indoors or outdoors, other than where a legal exemption applies.
Local COVID Tier 2:
- Indoor gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres and studios can open following the local restriction tiers.
- Outdoor exercise classes and PT can continue, assuming Covid-secure guidance in a public outdoor space or private garden. Outdoor exercise classes fall under the Organised Sports participation events The rule of 6* should be followed around socialising.
- Indoor exercise classes and PT are permitted – so long as they follow the relevant social contact rules. Social mixing should be avoided between individual participants e.g. socialising/gathering before and after classes (except if they are from the same household or support bubble).
- Indoor numbers remain limited by size of venue and social distancing guidelines.
- Indoor PT can take place in groups of up to 6 people – from the same household or support bubble (5 plus the PT) or on a 1:1 basis in private houses.
- Exercise classes can take place at community centres and halls, assuming Covid-secure guidance
Local COVID Tier 3:
- Indoor gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres and studios can open following the local restriction tiers but group exercise classes will not go ahead.
- Outdoor exercise classes and PT can continue, assuming Covid-secure guidance in a public outdoor space. Outdoor exercise classes fall under the Organised Sports participation events. Social mixing should be avoided between individual participants e.g. socialising/gathering before and after classes (except if they are from the same household or support bubble).
- PT cannot take place in a private house or garden, but can take place in a gym or sports facility.
- Organised indoor group exercise classes in community centres and halls cannot take place.
Local COVID Tier 4:
- Indoor gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres and studios must close.
- Outdoor exercise/PT can continue on a 1:2 basis (PT plus up to 2 people from different households), assuming Covid-secure guidance in an outdoor sports facility or public space.
- PT cannot take place in a private house or garden,
- Organised indoor group exercise classes cannot take place.
Other commonly asked questions
- Can I use my Home Gym or Studio?
In all Tiers except Tier 4, yes, assuming the facility is used for business purposes, following the same rules as gyms, leisure centres in the Tier you are in.
- What is classified as an outdoor public place?
Public gardens, parks, grounds, neighbourhood streets, parks, beaches, allotments, outdoor playgrounds (whether or not you pay to enter them).
- Effective Social Distancing for Classes?
Classes must always enable class participants to stay at least 2m apart. (3m is advised for classes involving movement). We recommend the honeycomb pattern that we provided back in July. Download the infographics to create 2m space or 3m space in group fitness
- Travel Restrictions between Tiers?
You can travel between Tiers when necessary for work, including Tier 4, but always continue to follow the rules of the higher Tier.
- What about exceptions?
There are exceptions in most Tiers for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes, to facilitate child care that enables parents or carers to work, seek work or take part in education and supervised sport and physical activity for under -18’s See here for detail of exceptions for Tiers 1-4.
NOTE: While this guidance applies to England, you should always consider whether there are local restrictions in place in your area. If you live, work or volunteer in an area that is experiencing a local COVID-19 outbreak and where local restrictions have been imposed, different guidance and legislation will apply.
Please stay safe.
The FitPro Team
If you have any other queries please contact us by email on info@fitpro.com.
