Follow science, not speculation. Let evidence-based data guide decisions.👈

There is no data that shows fitness clubs and gyms are a significant source of COVID-19 outbreaks. Just the opposite: when we were allowed to operate, we recorded millions of workouts without incident. Safety and... cleaning protocols and with booking software for contact tracing works.

Give health and fitness experts a seat at the table when planning
Fitness professionals have deep experience and expertise. They can help officials make informed, evidence-based decisions about safely reopening and operating fitness clubs.

Phase in capacity restrictions based on our size, not a fixed number
Randomly limiting capacity to 10, 20 or 50 people doesn’t make sense when one location is a small strip mall studio, and another has the floor space of a football field. Allow gyms and studios to gradually and safely open based on a percentage of their space – just like other industries.

Visit our website: https://www.getmovingagain.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fic.ontario/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ficontario/

FAQs
Q. Why are you doing this petition – what difference will it make?

A. Many people have expressed their desire to return to their gym and are frustrated that their fitness and well-being is not being recognized as part of the COVID-19 solution. They want their voices heard and want to return to their fitness community. As an industry, we are collectively doing everything we can to reopen safely (when the current orders are lifted)with capacity limits based on facility size to support the communities we serve. This petition is a way to show support and influence the government’s policymaking.

Q. There were cases of COVID-19 outbreaks in Ontario gyms, why should we support you?

A. These cases were isolated incidents and quickly contained through our unique ability for contact tracing. The fitness industry has one of the highest safety and cleanliness records. We’ve had millions of workouts without any incidents. Our ability to maintain safe and clean operations is of the highest standards. Our priority is the safety of our members, team and communities we serve.

Q. Why does the fitness industry deserve special treatment over other businesses?

A. We don’t want special treatment, we want equal and fair treatment. Like retail and grocery stores, we would like our capacity limits to be based on size, not a fixed number capacity. Group fitness activities should also be allowed to open indoors with proper safety protocols and capacity limits based on percentage of size within physical distancing restrictions.

Q. Why do gyms want to open now?

A. We are not asking to open during a lockdown. When the lockdown order expires, the fitness industry wants to be treated fairly and equally and be allowed to reopen based on a percentage of facility space capacity. The fitness industry wants to be part of the reopening planning process with decisions based on science and data. We want to represent the millions of Ontarians who want to have fitness part of the solution in combatting COVID-19.

Q. Gyms aren’t essential. You can workout at home. Why do they need to reopen?

A. The fitness industry advocates regular daily exercise whether at home or in a gym. However, many people do not have the space or specialized equipment for their fitness needs. In many cases people need the community and expert coaching and fitness services provided by their local gym to help with their fitness, injury recovery and overall health. What we are asking for is a safe and responsible reopening plan so that we are able to reopen with proper and viable rules as soon as the current orders are lifted.

Some fun and games at Hive.

Stephen is a member of Triathlon Team Canada and rocking his cardio as he preps for a world event in the Caribbean.

Our current regulations allow people to train whose sport has national funding from Sports Canada. We also accommodate for Dr notes ...stating you need to be here ( for all sorts of reasons) and Mobility Taping- for vaccine recovery and injury support!

We are doing our best to thrive and legally complying with every regulation.

More light and equipment AND cool new garage doors for Hive, Len's Carpet Cleaning, Action Centre Elite!!

Next step: adapting 2500 sq ft of outdoor training space giving us almost 10,000 sq ft to play with! Whoo ho!

What do YOU want to see in our new outdoor space? Comment below for a chance to win a FREE Hive hat!

#supportlocalbusiness #hivemind #mobilitytape #hiveducation #hivemuskoka #muskokafutures #keepgymsopen #muskokaemployer #healthandmovement

Missing ALL of you for in studio classes and hot yoga!!!

We are creating a great outdoor space to- bringing our class space capacity to FIVE pod spaces to run programs- including Muskoka's only MuskokaMarathon training clinic.

We do have Zoom and pre- records available.
...
What class can't you wait to get back to? Comment below! Most answers gets a facebook live!

Missing everyone in our facility classes!
( we are open for gm/personal training under limited guidelines )

We have several classes available on Zoom, and if there's a class you'd like to see in a 20 minute mini session- we'll get that sent out to you lickity ...splikity!

Here's a quick treat for YOU

4 classes on Monday starting at 6am!
On Zoom- register asap(:

Hive is buzzing with Zoom live classes and limited slots.

We also have decided to stay open, along with a few other local facilities.

We are frustrated too at the back and forth open/ close times. Thank you for your patience. We are open for mental and physical wellness advocacy. ...We are open for our members and their health.

One person/ bubble per timeslot. Limited hours. Full cleaning before/ after each slot.
Please book on the app. Any questions, please message here.
We are fully compliant under Ont Reg 82/20.

One day at a time. Bee kind to each other- and especially to yourself.

Hive Muskoka ( along with 4 other local gyms) are remining open.

Based on the ROA, 2020 (O. REG 57/21) amendment, @hivemuskoka will be serving members and those in the community who qualify under the new guidelines.
This includes persons with:
Mental health conditions:
...temporary or permanent, of any kind (inc. depression, stress, anxiety etc)
PTSD or any Covid 19 Specific duress consequences (employment, child concerns, caregiving)
Physical impairments and ongoing conditions not limited to below, but including:
Musculoskeletal injuries (injuries that affect muscles, tendons, joints, ligaments, bones, nerves and blood vessels) Diabetes, arthritis, sports injuries, permanent injuries to the back, spine, legs, arms etc
Brain injury and concussions
Cognitive impairments (trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating, or making decisions that affect everyday life)
Patrons need to request a letter of recommendation obtained from a registered health professional (ie. RMT, Chiropractor, Family Doctor or Physiotherapist).
HOWEVER: Hive Muskoka cannot ask for this letter, request a copy of it, nor can one be identified as a person dealing with any of the conditions, impairments or disabilities listed above. We will provide an absolute duty to accommodate and welcome you and will provide any support required.

You will not be arrested if you work out here, nor will you be directly /indirectly approached by any type of enforcement. That is against the law. Operating under the guidelines we are- it is legal. Movement and exercise is eesential. And so is YOUR health and wellness.


We also welcome athletes training for competition. Including our epic Special Olympic athletes .

We will continue to offer daytime and evening ZOOM live classes.

Hive Muskoka- as a gym with a Social Enterprise Business Model serving to improve community health and wellness from a physical AND an economic standpoint also recognizes the Response Framework Guidelines that validate that a necessity during this shutdown is to support vulnerable community members and to get exercise.

In doing that, we are also exceeding Covid compliance from our cleaning protocol, to masks and other PPE to class and facility capacity.

OUR NEXT STEPS TO BUILD BACK BUSINESSES?
1. The ability for organized outdoor exercise at any time regardless of the stage ( kind of like golf..)
2. Essential status, or failing this, the same opening status as retail. I.e., if you can buy socks, you can go to your gym/studio/rec centre
3. Capacity Calculator similar to retail stores. You enter your square footage, and you are allowed a certain amount of members per square foot, rather than facilities of all sizes (including arenas and rec spaces) having blanket limitations

Hive Muskoka's goal is to be deemed essential, but that is a lofty goal, and we need to aim to make quick progress that supports fitness and recreation while we fight the more significant battle. These suggestions are both reasonable and straightforward to enforce, making them much more likely to be accepted and adopted by the Ontario government.

Want to help?
Write your local MP. Explain how shutdowns affect you in an unrecoverable way and how losing a mental health outlet is affecting you negatively. Then, ask for these changes to take place immediately as they allow for the continuation of proper safety measures and more significant support for small businesses and their patrons.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback, please leave it in the comments.
We are all vulnerable. We are all struggling to cope. At Hive Muskoka- our mandate is to help people find their WERF- wellness, exercise, resilience and fun.
Thinking of you❤