With many gym members still wondering about the safety of their clubs and fitness industry officials who warn they are facing a struggle for survival, an analysis of Colorado health data by researchers at the University of Colorado ‘Oregon suggests there has been little diffusion of COVID-19 in state gyms.
The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, which commissioned the study, reported in October that its data showed a minuscule rate of infection in U.S. gyms of 1,155 cases out of 49.4 million gym visits. (0.0023%). He then asked the Oregon Consulting Group, based at the University of Oregon College of Business, to conduct an independent study. These researchers chose Colorado to study, analyzing data provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The study, based on CDPHE statistics up to November 18, was published on December 7. It covered 32 weeks of attendance data at Colorado gyms, which accounted for about 8.5 million visits, and found no link to 59 outbreaks reported by CDPHE.
“Available data suggest that compared to other settings, gyms are not a frequent source of COVID-19 outbreaks,” the study said. “No outbreaks were reported in gyms or comparable sports facilities.” An outbreak is defined as a transmission event that includes two or more people in a workplace or facility.
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The data indicated that gyms are safer than bars, restaurants and grocery stores, while more than half of COVID-19 outbreaks came from “health centers”.
Colorado gyms are looking for Five Star certifications from their counties to move from Red Level to Orange Level fitness restrictions, a program announced last week by CDPHE. Gym capacity in Level Red counties was slashed last month from 25% to 10%, which industry officials called “unsustainable” for their businesses.
The Colorado Fitness Coalition, which was created in August to speak for the industry with one voice, said the state faces the loss of about 200 gyms, 22,000 jobs and $ 12 million in payroll taxes if restrictions are not released soon. In a typical year, Colorado’s fitness industry generates $ 695 million, the coalition said.
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“Gyms continue to fight at a spectacular pace and we are losing more and more gyms,” said JoAnna Masloski, a member of the coalition’s advisory board and director of operations at the seven Athletic Front facilities at the Colorado Athletic Club. “We have to reach a higher capacity to survive. We are not spreaders. We are working as hard as we can to achieve this five star certification.
“But either way, we’re not scatterbrained and we’re being punished, unlike shopping malls – uncontrolled environments, uncontrolled people walking and touching each other,” Masloski said. “They are not punished and our gyms are in a difficult situation. We go to malls and say, “Oh my God, our businesses are about to die and you don’t control them.” ”
“We don’t want to hurt any industry, we just want people to know that we are safe,” he said. “We are a controlled environment. It is now proven to be so. We have to increase our capacity. “
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