Hoping to get back to your gym workout after being housebound due to COVID-19 for months? It seems to be a good idea, says one survey.
After analyzing millions of member check-in data across 2,873 gyms, sports clubs, and boutique fitness centers for three months, The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, and MXM, a technology and knowledge transfer company specializing in member tracking within the fitness industry, conclusively found that fitness facilities are safe and are not contributing to the spread of COVID-19.
From May 1 through Aug. 6, 2020, IHRSA and MXM examined and compared member check-in data (number of gym visits) from several fitness facilities – such as Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Life Time, and Orangetheory – across the country with self-reported infection rates, according to an IHRSA news release,
After nearly 50 million check-ins over this timeframe, the study learned that a nominal 0.0023 percent tested positive for COVID-19. Gyms nationwide have robust COVID-19 safety measures in place and there is zero evidence that the positive cases originated in gyms themselves.
“As recently as a few months ago, the data correlating fitness facility visits and the mitigating risk was practically nonexistent. All that’s changed – and for the better,” said MXM CEO Blair McHaney in the news release. “It’s become abundantly clear that the safety measures gyms, sports clubs, and boutique fitness centers have in place are not only incredibly effective at keeping their membership safe, but also curbing any potential spread of COVID-19 during a time when we all need access to exercise facilities to stay healthy.”
Long-form Study
The fitness industry’s only trade association, IHRSA, along with MXM, invited all health and fitness clubs in the United States to participate in the long-form study. Throughout the study, fitness centers provided their total check-ins and number of locations across all states in which they have a presence as well as self-reported on the total number of positive COVID-19 cases documented between employees and members who have been in the club. MXM previously conducted a study surrounding the lack of concentrated outbreaks in fitness facilities with affirming results in August.
“The check-in data proves that health clubs – when following strict cleaning and safety protocols – are safe,” said Brent Darden, IHRSA interim president, and CEO in the news release. “At IHRSA, we have a responsibility to educate and inform people that they should feel comfortable and confident going into fitness facilities throughout the country right now. The data shows that, with proper sanitization protocols in place, people can safely return to their workout routines. Working out has never been more important to help boost immunity and improve mental health. It’s time to acknowledge that gyms are safe.”
Access = Healthy
Access to fitness centers is key to keeping Americans healthy, the study found. Physical activity plays an important role in not only maintaining a healthy immune system but reducing COVID-19 risk factors such as obesity, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that 42.4 percent of U.S. adults1 and approximately 18.5 percent of children and adolescents2 in America are considered obese. Physical fitness has long-term mental health benefits as well, including reducing the risk of stress and depression. Notably, one in five Americans experience mental health illness3, and people with mental illness have a 40 percent higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases than the general population4.
“Fitness centers are needed now more than ever to help us stay active and maintain a healthy immune system,” added Robert Sallis, M.D. with Kaiser Permanente in the news release. “COVID-19 risk factors haven’t changed since the pandemic began – obesity, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes put you at much higher risk for both short- and long-term complications. It’s imperative that we all make real change now to stay healthy given that exercise is an essential part of life.”
For additional details on the study and how the fitness industry is committed to keeping its members safe, healthy, and moving, visit IHRSA.org. IHRSA is a not-for-profit trade association representing the global fitness industry of over 200,000 health and fitness facilities and their suppliers.
Source: IHRSA
