Fitness Australia (FA) and Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) Return to Gym Guidelines
As personal trainers and exercise physiologists working out of Edgecliff, Lindfield, Randwick, Marrickville and Drummoyne in New South Wales, we are regulated by FA and ESSA, respectively. Each governing body has released recommendations and guidelines in order to minimize the risk of a second spike of COVID-19 by making the gym a safe place to return.
It is the opinion of the staff at Longevity Exercise Physiology and Personal Training that for those who are not immunocompromised and/or suffering from a respiratory condition it is best for your health to return to the gym under the following circumstances:
Summary of Guidelines
- Social distancing and density control
A space of 1.5 metres between all people should be practiced. When clinically necessary, an accredited exercise physiologist is able to break the social distancing guideline. Strenuous exercise requires increase space between people, with the current guideline 2-4 metres of space between people.
The lower number of 100 people per venue or 1 person per 4 square metres is the maximum number allowed into the gym at a time. In NSW, up to 20 people are allowed in a class setting given social distancing and population density restrictions are adhered to.
- Good hand hygiene, clean + disinfect environment
Hand washing before and after every exercise session and disinfecting of equipment after you use it is mandatory. A towel must be used as a physical barrier between yourself and the exercise equipment, wherever possible.
- Stay at home if you are unwell
If you display any symptoms of COVID-19 you will be turned away and asked to return when you feel well. Monitoring symptoms, potentially including mandatory temperature checks, is one of the primary responsibilities of gym staff, personal trainers and exercise physiologists.
- Contact tracing
It is the position of FA, ESSA and Longevity that all gym goers should download the COVID SAFE app. Scanning into the gym is an absolute minimum requirement in order to keep track of who is in the building at any given time.
**note these are not complete lists of the recommendations but capture what we believe to be the most relevant and important aspects of the guidelines for Longevity within a gym setting**
Use the following checklist to ensure you are minimizing your risk of infection and helping the gym be a COVID safe environment:
- I can attend the gym because I do not have a fever, dry cough, fatigue or any other flu-like symptoms
- I brought a full size towel from home
- I washed my hands or used hand sanitiser upon gym entry
- I checked that the gym is not too crowded based on 1 person per 4 square metres
- I use gym provided wipes on all equipment that I have touched during my session before anyone else has the opportunity to use that equipment
- I minimise my close social interactions with other gym members
- I wash my hands before I leave