A Bendigo gym owner and club manager said they are frustrated by the state government's mandated closure of gyms and fitness centres, despite restrictions easing on Thursday.
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TKO Fitness' Ryan Jeffrey said gyms have always made hygiene a priority.
"People think just because there is physical exertion, activity and sweat that there's a a likelihood for transmission, but it hasn't happened," Mr Jeffrey said.
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Anytime Fitness club manager Brett Little said gyms have been at the forefront of providing a hygienic training environment, even prior to the pandemic.
"It frustrates me that the government have done this to us, when it's been shown that we are not a hotspot for transmission," Mr Little said.
The fitness industry's peak association, Fitness Australia, said its research found there were more than 7.31 million check-ins across 546 gyms in the first eight weeks since reopening in New South Wales on June 13.
The research concluded there were zero cases of reported community transmission in a gym.
"How is it logical that hospitality can reopen with a maximum of 20 people and 4 square metres per person but the fitness industry, who has proposed 8sqm per person, cannot?" Fitness Australia chief executive Barrie Elvish said.
Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan acknowledged the latest restrictions, which forbid indoor fitness activities, would limit what gyms could offer.
"It reflects the nature of the coronavirus, as a virus that moves very easily indoors," Ms Allan said.
"That's why there continues to be a difference in what can be allowed outdoors and indoors."
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Gyms have been forced to adapt to the new restrictions on short notice, with TKO Fitness to resume its outdoor training sessions Monday week.
"We have a really close knit membership and exercise is a big outlet for them," Mr Jeffrey said.
"You have to adapt, but it's hard because you can't really plan."
Anytime Fitness is hoping to reengage the community by offering a free eight-week challenge to members and non-members.
"We want to encourage people to get involved in the challenge, where you receive home training advice, meal plans and access to motivation and an online forum," Mr Little said.
To learn more, visit anytimefitness.com.au/af-challenge/, or email kennington@anytimefitness.com.au or kangarooflat@anytimefitness.com.au