The return of such offerings is exciting for the Michigan fitness industry, said Kristin Irwin, CEO of Monroe Family YMCA.
Fitness classes are making their way back to gyms and fitness centers in Monroe County and the state.
Revisions to a regulation that previously banned indoor fitness classes go into effect today.
The revision, issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, will allow fitness centers to resume group classes provided they adhere to social distancing and mask mandates issued as part of the state’s ongoing response to COVID-19.
The return of such offerings is exciting for the Michigan fitness industry, said Kristin Irwin, CEO of Monroe Family YMCA.
She said the Monroe-based fitness center, which regularly offers a variety of fitness classes, has received ongoing interest from its members about when such classes would be offered again.
“People want to be social – a lot of our members have asked when group fitness will be back,” she said. “We are ready to go.”
Irwin said group fitness classes at the YMCA will resume starting Monday. Ever since they received the news that they could add such courses to their facility again, they and the YMCA staff have been working on a schedule.
They have reached out to instructors to determine if they are available and how to align the structure of certain classes with the remaining regulations and resources of the YMCA.
Irwin said it was a process in itself to create a schedule.
According to Irwin, YMCA staff are looking into how fitness classes can be facilitated in specific rooms, e.g. B. in the larger gym, which has more space for social distancing needs.
“Some of our instructors have been gone so long,” said Irwin sadly. “Like many fitness centers, we are fighting for space. … I want to make sure we’re doing everything right. “
The fitness industry in Michigan has been hit by a changing landscape of rules and regulations imposed in the wake of the pandemic.
Last year, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and her administration were embroiled in a protracted legal battle with fitness centers as they sought to reopen after they closed in March.
Over the summer, they were able to reopen as they are working at reduced capacity and implementing a variety of increased security and cleaning procedures to facilitate social distancing and limit direct contact.
In November, amid an increase in COVID-19 cases across the state, the MDHHS banned group fitness classes to help slow the spread of the virus.
Entertainment facilities reopened a few weeks ago, and a ban on indoor dining in restaurants will remain in effect until February 1, according to the ordinance. However, MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said the fitness classes may resume because of the benefits of these activities for the mental health of residents.
Irwin said exercise and activity can help improve an individual’s overall health and mental state.
“The healthier you are and the more you exercise, the better you will feel,” she said. “When you move … you feel better all around.”
According to Irwin, group fitness classes can be particularly beneficial for those struggling with social isolation issues. This issue has been highlighted because many people have quarantined or restricted their interactions for security reasons.
Many look forward to being able to interact through fitness activities rather than being alone, she added.
“It is heartwarming to see the reaction from our members when they see their friends and talk to them,” said Irwin.
The Monroe Family YMCA members were patient and understanding as the center implemented pandemic and state regulations, Irwin said.
“You have to roll with the punches,” she added. “People want to go back to such a bad sense of normalcy … they’re pretty flexible and understand what’s going on.”
The centre’s membership is down about 40% year over year, which is particularly different this year as January is often a busy time for gyms, Irwin said, adding that she and her staff have changed due to membership of have held back a member action pandemic.
However, the data is not too worrying. Irwin said the center has received an increased call for services in recent weeks.
She believes this number will increase as more restrictions are lifted and vaccinations become more widely available.
“As consumer confidence increases, I think more people will join,” she said.
