How to Adjust to New Social Distancing and Hygiene Priorities After the Coronavirus
There’s no question — due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re living in a different reality than we were just a few months ago. One question we are beginning to hear more is, “How can I prepare my facility to reopen to exercisers?” Read on for a few ideas and recommendations we’ve gathered based on what we have been hearing from our customers and industry partners.
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Are You Considering Adjusting Your Floor Plan for Social Distancing?
One of the top concerns of facility managers is how to reopen under social distancing guidelines. This will require being flexible, at least for the near future, and having a willingness to adapt your floor plan if you want to ensure exercisers can maintain at least six feet of distance between themselves and the next person. Although gyms with very little “extra” floor space may face a bigger challenge, here are some practical ways you may be able to help exercisers feel safe in your facility:
1. Increase Space Between Your Cardio and Strength Machines
If needed, we are available to consult with you on repositioning each individual workout station to allow for at least six feet of open space between them to make your facility “social distancing friendly” for the time-being. Contact us to learn more.
BEFORE SOCIAL DISTANCING ADJUSTMENTS
AFTER SOCIAL DISTANCING ADJUSTMENTS
2. Create More Room by Consolidating Accessories and Storage
One of the best ways to “create” space in your gym is by reorganizing your accessories using space-saving storage solutions. If you have horizontal dumbbell racks or other shelving units with large square footage, consider replacing them with vertical storage pieces that have a smaller footprint. The more items you can lift “off the floor,” the more space you will have!
3. Identify Adjacent or Nearby Spaces to Convert into Fitness Space
If you have a clubhouse, studio space, or storage area near your existing fitness area, moving some of your equipment into that area to spread out your equipment may be a good solution.
4. Limit Stations Available for Use
If there isn’t enough room to increase spacing between equipment to six feet or more, one alternative is to temporarily hang “I’m Practicing Social Distancing” signage on every other piece of equipment.
Do You Have an Adequate Amount of Cleaning Supplies?
Here are our recommendations for being well prepared and well stocked with cleaning supplies in advance of reopening your fitness center:
1. Order Cleaning Supplies in Advance
Demand is currently exceeding supply for many of the most sought-after cleaning products. In light of this, we recommend placing orders for these supplies as soon as possible, even if you are simply adding your name to a waiting list. Products you order will be delivered as soon as they become available. Planning ahead is the surest way to avoid running out at the time you need these supplies the most. If you need to place an order for cleaning products that are safe to use on fitness equipment, download our cleaning supplies order form.
Please Note: DO NOT use bleach, acidic cleaners or corrosive chemicals on fitness equipment. Doing so will weaken the powder coat on frames, discolor plastic, and damage consoles or screens. Avoid the use of high acidic cleaners (pH of 4.0 or less) or corrosive chemicals (pH of 11.5 or higher). We recommend Benzalkonium Chloride(BK), the active ingredient in HealthE wipes.
2. Increase the Number of Cleaning and Sanitation Supply Stations in Your Facility
Consider adding to the number of cleaning stations throughout your fitness center. Dispersing an increased number of cleaning stations will enable exercisers to access cleaning supplies without having to congregate or pass through a high-traffic area.
Are You Prepared to Clearly Communicate New Policies and Procedures to Your Exercisers?
Whatever your new policies are (capping the maximum number of exercisers in a given space, providing floor demarcations to designate single-user workout zones, shortened hours to allow for daily cleaning and sanitation, etc.) make sure you are communicating those changes early and often. The more people understand the policies, the more comfortable they will feel in your facility.
Would At-Home or In-Unit Workout Kits be a Possible Interim Solution?
We are able to ship workout kits directly from our manufacturing partners to residential addresses. If you would like to offer a way for your student athletes, residents, or members to order a small fitness accessory package for use at home, contact us to discuss your customized solution.
Let’s work together to prepare your facility for a new normal, whether it lasts a few months or longer. As guidelines evolve, we will continue to update our recommendations and share with our customers the most current best practices. When you are ready to discuss a customized reopening plan for your facility, contact us using the form below.