Saturday, 13 Feb 2021 10:22 AM MYTGym-goers working out at Enrich Fitness centre in Ampang February 12, 2021. — Picture by Ahmad ZamzahuriKUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 ― The reopening of gyms and fitness centres during the movement control order has been welcomed today by the Coalition of Fitness Industry Owners and Operators in Malaysia, a loose group of private gym owners and operators.
Among others according to the group, the closure of changing rooms and showers in gyms should be allowed to maintain the level of hygiene needed during the pandemic. Raheem Hamilton, senior vice-president for Operations and Franchise Development for Inspire Brands Asia, the master franchisee of Anytime Fitness in Malaysia, said that up to 32 per cent of its members are engaged in group fitness, but for other gyms, this number may exceed 50 per cent.
“As such, we feel that group classes should be allowed to resume as this will mean that a larger number of the population will be motivated to stay fit and active, which can only be good news for the country as the public work to improve their health and immunity levels and in the long term, reduce the burden on healthcare services in the country,” he said.
For Tiffany Yow of Flow Yoga in Bangsar, she emphasised that her Yoga classes have proven to contribute to mental health and wellbeing of its practitioners, which is a critical aspect in times of a pandemic.
As some operators wants evidence based SOPs from government, they should at least provide evidence based responses. Check US CDC guidelines or evidence based studies that are peer reviewed to support your points.