International trade body, the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) has released global guidelines to re-open gyms, fitness studios and aquatic facilities in the context of COVID-19. The guidelines are comprised of a key considerations document with accompanying risk assessment and mitigation tools.
Available for download, the guidelines were developed by a working group, instigated and led by the International Health, Racket & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), in cooperation with WFSGI and other industry federations and experts.
The members of the group include:
Kilian Fisher, International Public Policy Advisor, IHRSA
Helen Durkin, Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy, IHRSA
Andreas Paulsen, Executive Director, Europe Active
Professor Alfonso Jimenez, Europe Active
Emma Mason, Vice President for Strategic & External Affairs, WFSGI
Paul Hackett, Health & Safety Consultant
Paul Eigenmann, Standards Expert, Qualicert
Richard Budgett, Medical and Scientific Director, IOC (International Olympic Committee)
Dr. Andrew Murray, Chief Medical Officer, European Tour Golf
In addition, consultation took place with ICREPS (International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals) and EREPS (European Register of Exercise Professionals).
The group’s principal purpose was to adapt and tailor the WHO Advisory COVID-19 guidance for mass gatherings, sporting events, and other risk assessment tools for application in the sports and fitness industry.
Specifically, the group looked to offer advice to recreational sports clubs and facilities, such as gyms, fitness studios, sports halls, swimming pools, spa & wellness areas, and other ancillary facilities.
WFSGI, through its Physical Activity Committee, has committed to raising the profile of the benefits of physical activity and to increase levels of physical activity, particularly amongst young people. One of the global consequences of COVID-19 has been that many of the facilities that people use to exercise and stay active have been closed.
Though certain people have been able to adapt by being active at home or outside, this has not been possible for all. For those whose preferred form of activity is swimming, the lockdown has been particularly challenging, and has also caused significant problems for elite athletes in aquatic sports.
COVID-19 has also had a considerable negative impact on the sporting goods industry, and the international trade organisation notes that it is imperative for WFSGI members’ business that people are able to return to sport safely so that their passion for being active and the industry’s products returns.
WFSGI’s involvement in the Working Group has therefore had two overarching purposes; namely to help deliver practical guidance for gyms and fitness facilities to re-open safely so that:
- Members of the general public have the opportunity to return to these facilities to attain the recommended daily levels of physical activity, and
- Elite athletes are able to return to these facilities to train.
“WFSGI is proud to have been part of the working group that delivered global guidelines to re-open gyms, fitness studios and aquatic facilities in the context of COVID-19,” said Robbert de Kock, WFSGI President & CEO.
“COVID-19 has caused unprecedented damage to the global economy. We believe these guidelines are a good demonstration of the benefits of multi-stakeholder cooperation to find solutions for the fallout from the greatest public health crisis in living memory. We thank IHRSA for their leadership in this matter.”
Emma Mason, WFSGI Vice-President for Strategy and External Affairs, said “We know that the safe re-opening of gym and fitness studios will help many people globally to be more physically active after lockdown and that is key to both the global health recovery and the recovery of our members’ businesses.”
While the guidelines have been developed using the best information available, WFSGI notes that the documentation is intended purely as guidance to be utilised at the user’s own risk and is provided ‘as is’ without any warranty and/or representations of any kind.
No responsibility or liability is accepted by IHRSA, WFSGI, Europe Active or by any person (legal or natural) who has been in any way concerned with the development of the guidelines for their accuracy, content, completeness, legality or reliability. No warranties and/or representations of any kind are given as to the suitability or otherwise of the information to the user’s particular circumstances.
