Fitness Quest Covid-19 return to business policy

This post will document the action Fitness Quest has made to ensure government guidelines are adhered to, by both staff and customers. The initial date of this post is 16th June 2020 and will be edited and updated in line with the easing of government restrictions and the policies of venue hire providers. Please note that the following information policies are that of government advice, venue hire providers and Fitness Quest. Further additions may be included based on customer feedback.

Fitness Classes

Indoor, in person classes restart after lockdown 2.0 the week commencing 7th December 2020. To ensure the safety of all class participants, Fitness Quest staff and other users of the venue, strict Covid-19 policies are required. These policies are outlined below and are subject so change in line with government, venue and Fitness Quest guidelines.

Updates

This policy was last updated on 1st December 2020 to make the following amendments:

• Numbers added to each policy point for reference
• Updated social distancing guidance to reflect tier two regulations (point 1.13), this replaced the previous rule of six guidelines
• Updated guidance to reflect face mask usage when entering and leaving the venue (1.21)

1 - Minimising the spread of Covid-19

 

1.1 - No member will be permitted to enter class if they have developed any of the Covid-19 symptoms within the past 14 days, have tested positive, or have been in contact with anyone who has displayed symptoms or tested positive. 

1.2 - Members cannot attend if they live with a person who is shielding or is deemed vulnerable.

1.3 - Each member is expected to take responsibility for their participation in each session, this includes avoiding touching as many surfaces as possible.

1.4 - Upon return class members will be required to maintain 2m distance from other members, at all times. Where possible members will be allocated a 3m² marked area. 

1.5 - Members are not to have any physical contact with any other person whilst participating in class (including hugs, high fives, fist bumps).

1.6 - Hand sanitiser is provided and should be used upon entry. 

1.7 - All members should avoid touching their faces during the class. 

1.8 - Windows and doors will be open where possible to aid ventilation where possible. 

1.9 - No equipment sharing between participants, therefore some classes such as Kettlercise will require you to bring your own kettlebell. 

1.10 - A minimum of 10 minutes between each class should be maintained to allow for cleaning of touch points and safe switch over of participants. 

1.11 - If you arrive at your class early, please wait in your car or away from the entrance until the class start time to ensure social distancing can be achieved.

1.12 - No cash payment will be accepted until further notice. All classes should be pre-booked and paid for in advance. Failure to book may result in you being turned away.

1.13 - Participants are to remain in their designated spots and at no time, inside or outside of the class gather with any other person (unless from the same household)

1.14 - Should a member need to move around the hall (e.g. to access toilet) they must maintain 2m distance from any other member.

1.15 - Personal belongings should not be brought into class, other than a personal water bottle, keys, and any essential equipment, these are to be left in an area designated for each participant and not moved to any other location or left on school furniture. 

1.16 - Fitness Quest reserves the right to end a session, or remove participants if any Covid-19 concerns arise.

1.17 - No participant will be allowed back to the venue for at least 14 days from the onset of symptoms or required to provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test. 

1.18 - Where possible, members arriving by car should aim to park leaving a minimum of one parking space between cars.

1.19 - Toilets are not to be used as a changing facility, all members should arrive dressed ready for participation.

1.20 - Water and kitchen facilities will not be available, please ensure you bring your own water.

1.21 - Face masks SHOULD be worn when entering and leaving the hall but WILL NOT be required when exercising. Please bring suitable storage to keep your face mask safe and clean whilst you are exercising and use sanitiser on your hands before putting your face mask back on.

  

2 - Changes to class structure

2.1 - To ensure adequate cleaning and change over time between classes, one hour classes will now be 55 minutes and other class start/end times may be slightly amended, these can be found on the class pages of this website.

2.2 - Maximum class capacity will be either the gathering size recommended by the government or one person per 3m², whichever is smaller (including the instructor). The class capacity has been detailed in the Fitness Quest Risk Assessment for each venue.

2.3 - First Aid protocols are outlined here.

2.4 - Music volume will be reduced to a minimum to ensure there is no need to raise voices.

2.5 - All members will be required to complete an updated PAR-Q before returning to classes, this will last 12 months or unless any of the participant answers change.

2.6 - All members will be required to complete an online registration for each class which will open 48 hours before the start of each class. This will act as your sign in for class and will be the method of retaining your contact details for 21 days in accordance with the track and trace system. This will also act as a disclaimer that you are not suffering from any Covid-19 symptoms, have had contact with anyone displaying symptoms/are shielding, are awaiting test results and agree not to attend class if these details change. 

2.7 - The NHS Test and Trace QR code will be displayed at each class (as of 24th September 2020).

2.8 - No class formats requiring close contact (Boxercise) will be scheduled until government regulations permit these activities.

3 - Booking onto a class

3.1 - All outstanding sessions, booked and paid in full before lockdown 2.0 will resume the week commencing 7th December 2020. 

3.2 - Due to limited availability, all classes will need to be booked and paid for in advance. There will currently be no pay as you go classes or early bird promotions available due to lower class numbers and ensuring classes can be financially viable to run. To book onto a course, please contact info@fitnessquest.co.uk

3.3 - No refunds or transfers are available should the member change their mind about attending (see next section for cancelled classes).

3.4 - Once you have paid for a block of classes, you will still be required to complete a weekly registration, without completing this each week you will not be permitted to enter the class venue.

4 - Future lockdowns

4.1 - In the event of further national, local or school lockdowns classes may need to be cancelled at short notice. Where in person classes are cancelled, Fitness Quest will endeavour to offer virtual memberships. 

4.2 - As soon as it becomes possible to return to the venue Fitness Quest in person classes will resume and no paid sessions will be lost due to lockdown closures, these will automatically be carried forward.

Personal Training

Currently no personal training will be taking place in person. These will return in 2021 if government guidelines permit. Personal training sessions are currently offered virtually only.

As of 16th June, personal trainers are permitted to train up to five people from different households at the same time. These sessions must adhere to 2m social distancing by all parties. Government guidelines can be found here. Fitness Quest will only be offering sessions from private outside land (such as a garden), as the risks are deemed to be lower. Fitness Quest will also only be offering personal training sessions for a maximum of two people at this time. As of 4th July 2020 indoor personal training is permitted in private households only, clients from the same household may participate in the sessions. All social distancing guidelines are to be adhered to during indoor sessions. Outdoor sessions should still be the preferred option where possible, however indoor sessions or online sessions can be arranged if the weather is wet. 

It is advised that minimum equipment should be used and cleaned between uses. To minimise risk further, Fitness Quest will not currently be using equipment unless it belongs to the client. It is still advised the equipment used is cleaned thoroughly after each use. Basic hygiene measures should be adhered to by all parties, including washing of hands before and after each session and avoid touching the face whilst exercising. Face masks are NOT mandatory. First Aid protocols are outlined here.

It is the responsibility of each client to inform Fitness Quest if they have suffered from any of the Covid-19 symptoms within the past 14 days, have tested positive or are waiting for test results regardless of symptoms, or have been in contact with anyone who has displayed symptoms or tested positive. Sessions cannot go ahead if any party is showing symptoms or lives with a person who is shielding or is deemed vulnerable. Fitness Quest reserves the right to end a session if any Covid-19 concerns arise.

Thank you for your support and patience.