In this blog, we round up the most-up-to date guidelines for indoor and outdoor training with useful infographics to help you safely deliver your classes. We also hear from FitPro’s Managing Director, Jane Waller, on the current situation.
“These past months have been the most challenging our industry has ever faced. It has affected everyone from high end clubs to self-employed fitpros. We have seen devastation with many leaving the industry for good and we have seen amazing creativity as budding entrepreneurs etch a place for the future. Every day our dedicated membership team has answered hundreds of calls to concerned members, and the community generally, reassuring them that their insurance had them covered (it always had), what were the latest government guidelines or just being at the end of the line. The industry is opening up at least, we know its not over, but we will continue to support our community… now more than ever, we see that as our responsibility.” Jane Waller, Managing Director, FitPro
UPDATE: The information provided in this blog was up-to-date as of 30 July 2020. On midday 31 July Boris Johnson announced that ‘face coverings will be mandatory in more indoor settings, such as cinemas.’ And that ‘The rules for face coverings would become enforceable in law from 8 August.’ At present it is unclear whether this new announcement includes fitness facilities. As soon as we have further clarity on the requirements around wearing face coverings we will update you.
Indoor Training Guidelines
- Government guidance specifies that the maximum total occupancy of a venue is based on a floor area of 100 sq. ft (9 sqm) per person. This figure is the net usable indoor space available to participants. It includes the entrance/reception, changing facilities, toilets as well as the gym and studios. Occupancy includes everyone in the building: participants, instructors, other staff, and visitors.
- Social distancing of 2m within the facility is required.
- When setting out exercise classes you must always enable class participants to stay at least 2m apart. (3m is advised for classes involving movement).
- We recommend the honeycomb pattern when you are creating 2m or 3m of social distance for classes so that all participants can see the instructor.
- In the following infographics we have provided two potential class layouts that keep members safely distanced with a little more space than recommended. Feel free to share these with other Instructors or your facilities. The studio floor should be marked to ensure social distancing.
Download the ‘How To Create 2M Of Social Distance In Group Fitness’ Infographic >> HERE
Download the ‘How To Create 3M Of Social Distance In Group Fitness’ Infographic >> HERE
- Risk assessments are important. Instructors must prepare a written COVID-19 risk assessment prior to activity. See guidance here. When using third party-owned or managed facilities they should also have undertaken a full risk assessment.
Other Key Guidelines
- Venues must have a one-way traffic flow system in place where possible with separate entry and exit points to avoid clustering and unnecessary contact.
- Ventilation is also an important issue, and systems should provide 100% fresh air and not recirculate from one space to another. A target ventilation rate of 20l/s/p (see here) is advised for facilities, attained through adjustments to ventilation systems, by controlling numbers (based on 100sqft per person) and using natural ventilation (keeping windows and doors open to allow maximum fresh air circulation).
- Instructors should pay close attention to the volume of their music. Music should not be played at a level that encourages shouting because of the potential for increased transmission, particularly from aerosol and droplet transmission.
- Handwashing facilities and/or a station for hand sanitising using alcohol gel should be provided, ‘Sweat towels’ should not be used and there must be a minimum of a 10-minute gap between classes to allow time for cleaning.
- Sharing of equipment should be kept to a minimum and equipment should be thoroughly cleaned before and after each use.
- Instructors should explain the safety guidelines of what is expected before, during and after class including what the participant is expected to do to maintain social distancing and all other health and safety guidelines.
Outdoor Training Guidelines
- FitPro insured PT’s and Instructors are covered for outdoor sessions (outdoor space or private garden) for up to 30 people (29 people plus instructor), with social distancing and providing the COVID-19 secure guidelines are followed.
- A risk assessment should be completed.
- Personal trainers, instructors or other businesses that are operating outdoors should, therefore, follow the guidance for ‘Grassroots sport and Gym/Leisure providers’ and in particular section 4 around ‘Large Gatherings’ https://buff.ly/2Ch6IPl
- For further details on the COVID-19 Secure guidelines please see here https://buff.ly/2Wrx7AN
Please note: these guidelines are only applicable to England and are subject to regional advice and ongoing COVID-19 guidelines from the government. – the guidelines may differ for other parts of the UK.
