IMPORTANT COVID-19 UPDATE - FREEDOM DAY...

CLASS UPDATE 19th July 2021

From 19th July 2021 the legal restrictions surrounding Covid-19 have been removed, however it is important that we still take reasonable actions to ensure the safety of all of those who attend classes, as well as the wider community. This includes the mental wellbeing of individuals and respecting individual choices as we move out of a very difficult 16-month period.

For this reason, at least for the time being, to ensure everyone still feels comfortable attending classes many of the precautions will remain in place.

Face coverings

• Face coverings during exercise have never been mandatory, however at all other times, both entering the hall and leaving the hall we were required to wear a face covering. Although the legal requirement to wear a face mask has now been removed, it is still expected that people wear a face covering in enclosed spaces (when not exercising). For this reason, access to the hall will remain limited and you will only be permitted entry shortly before the class begins and be expected to leave as soon as possible after the class ends, this means members will not need to wear a face covering, unless they choose to do so. It may be useful to have one handy in case you need to use the toilet. For any members doing back-to-back classes it is recommended that you enjoy some fresh air outside the hall until your second class is due to begin.

Actions still required by class attendees

• Continue to sign in to each class online, this acts as a fire register as well as helping me to plan effective classes which maintain social distancing. This will also remain to act as a method of registering your details for NHS Test and Trace.

• Members should not attend classes if they test positive or begin to display Covid-19 symptoms. If you have had a close contact with someone who has Covid-19 or have otherwise been told to self-isolate, you will need to refrain from attending class. 

• Members should maintain social distancing from all other participants (unless from the same household).

• Please continue to bring your own equipment to sessions.

• It is recommended members do not share any fitness equipment and continue to use the hand sanitiser available.

• Respect other attendees personal space.

What Fitness Quest will be doing to minimise the risk of Covid-19

• Continue to limit the maximum number of participants to each class.

• Continue to ensure common touch points are kept clean.

• Continue to ensure good ventilation.

• Continue to offer hand sanitiser.

• Continue to risk assess and remain up to date with the Covid-19 risk, this may involve the addition of further safety precautions in the future.

• Continue to maintain NHS Test and Trace records.

• Continue to limit access to the hall before and after classes to ensure time spent in an enclosed safe when not exercising is at a minimum.

What is changing

• Gradually, we will begin to reduce allocating you your places within the hall. We have been doing this to ensure a minimum of 2m distance between all those signed in. We tend to fill spaces furthest away from the entrance, to avoid people having to walk past one another. Please continue to try and fill the spaces as best as possible and remember to maintain 2m distance from other members, whilst the restrictions have officially been lifted, please consider that other members may not feel comfortable with you being close to them and I want to ensure everyone feels safe and can enjoy exercise.

• Many of the remaining Fitness Quest Covid-19 Policies not addressed in this post will be removed, this will be updated as soon as possible.

• From 16^th August 2021 it is expected that any adult who is fully vaccinated will not need to self-isolate following close contact with someone who has COVID-19. You will still need to take a PCR test and self-isolate if the result is positive. Until this date, please continue to self-isolate if required to do so.

Please get in touch with me if you have any questions or concerns regarding any of the above.

Thank you again for your understanding and patience, for your own reference, this latest guidance has been based on the CIMSPA recommendations for the fitness industry.

Covid-19 Update March 2021

I hope you are all well and have been enjoying the glimmers of sunshine that keep appearing?

Things are slowly beginning to feel as though they are returning to normal, however indoor fitness classes will be one of the later services permitted to return.

According to the governments "roadmap out of lockdown" published on the 22nd February, the earliest we would be able to return to group fitness will be the 17th May 2021. As yet, there is no guidance as to what social distancing measures will be required and as always, I will also need permission from my venues.

I know it is not the update you are all hoping for but I wanted to update you all, especially as schools are re-opening on Monday 8th March and gyms (for individual exercise) are due to open on the 12th April.

I will update you all again when I know more but until then, here is an update on continuing services during this time:

Personal Training

Personal training can continue either online, or from the 29th March 2021, personal training sessions may take place in private outdoor gardens. I will only be training individual clients, or members from the same household at one time for now. Where possible, sessions should remain virtual to continue the effort in reducing social contact. I will be updating the Fitness Quest Covid-19 Policies before the 29th March 2021. This date is subject to change by the UK Government.

Virtual Classes

Virtual classes will continue as long as they are needed and financially viable for me to run. Currently I am offering the following:

• Two live, 40 minute classes on Wednesdays (6:15pm Full Body Blast, 7pm Boxercise HIIT)
• Catch up available for the above two classes for 7 days
• Library of on demand content from PiYo, M1ND, short stretch routines, SH1FT, L1FT
• Workout of the Week (WOW) - A challenge you can modify and complete in your own time

The virtual blocks are £25 for 4 weeks and if enough people wish to continue the remaining proposed dates are:

• 22nd March - 18th April 2021
• 19th April - 16th May 2021

I hope to film more on demand content over the coming months as the weather begins to brighten up (I need to film outside due to lack of indoor space). These extra sessions will include glute strengthening for a strong back and mini Pilates sessions.

If you would like to sign up to either/both of the above virtual blocks please email info@fitnessquest.co.uk

Can't wait to see you all again soon!

Vicki

Class Update for January 2021 - Tier 4

 

Firstly I want to wish you all a happy New Year and I hope you all managed to find some time to relax and reflect over Christmas. It seems that 2021 will be a tough start for many of us but we can remain hopeful that by the Spring the situation may be looking better. With the recent government announcements in mind, with no timescale to work towards other than the fortnightly government updates, please can I request that you all read the following thoroughly and if you have any questions please email me.

Return to classes

Bournemouth has been placed into tier 4 as of 31st December 2020, with no timescale announced as to how long the restrictions may last. Therefore all Fitness Quest in person classes will NOT be permitted to continue until further notice. All courses that were due to continue w/c 4th January 2021 will be frozen and will continue in person once classes are allowed to return.

Virtual classes

I have taken the decision not to start a new virtual block of fitness classes on the 4th January 2021. 

• I will re-assess the demand for a virtual block after the next government announcement due on the 13th January 2021 when we may know more about the duration of restrictions required and the ongoing situation.
• Since March 2020, virtual memberships helped to keep Fitness Quest running, however, demand did inevitably drop off and January-April has a lot of annual business bills so I've taken the decision to find temporary work to help pay for both business and personal expenses.
• I also have a 3 day university exam on the 18th January (another perk of Covid-19), so not teaching for a few weeks will really help me to concentrate on revision. 

Member motivation

I do want to ensure that you all stay as motivated as possible over the next few weeks whilst I'm not running any virtual live classes, therefore I will be allowing any member who is booked onto an in person course FREE ACCESS to the Facebook group which contains workout challenges (WOW's), pre-recorded PiYo and stretch routines and on demand SH1FT and L1FT. I will also try to pre-record some M1ND classes to mix it up a bit. It would be great for those of you who are active in the group to post your workouts and help to motivate each other (and me, I love seeing what you're all doing). I know for some people virtual classes aren't their cup of tea but right now it's the best we have and unless you are happy doing your own thing to keep fit I do really encourage you to join the group as it provides you with a great resource for home workouts. Keeping active now is so important, not just for our physical health but our mental health too. I'll be re-posting the WOW's from the previous two lockdowns on a weekly basis (although you can view them all), if you've done them before, doing them again is a great fitness test. If you would like to join the Facebook group please email me.

Contacting me

If you need to contact me, please do so via email or by phone (07791 605150) as I am not currently using my personal Facebook account (you can still message Fitness Quest on Facebook but I may not reply too quickly). Please note that whilst I have alternative employment my replies may not be very fast, hence why I am streamlining the contact methods I need to check. Hopefully most of the questions you have can either be found on the class pages on this website or by viewing the Fitness Quest Covid-19 Policies.

Personal training

Personal training sessions will still continue virtually until further notice.

Finally...

Thank you all for your continued support, hopefully by the end of January we will either be going back to in person classes or starting up another block of virtual classes (once I've done my exam and am trained in my new job). I will update all of the class pages and the Covid-19 policy shortly and I will email each of you who are booked onto a course over the weekend. I wanted to get this post out now to keep you all updated. To ensure you get the updates as soon as I post them please subscribe to this blog (top right hand corner of this page) and like the Facebook page. 

Please do use the online library of fitness content I've created this year and I'll be asking in the Facebook group in a couple of weeks how many of you would like to continue virtually, if needed. Please take care of yourselves and send me an email if you need anything.

See you all soon

Vicki

Fitness Quest Covid-19 return to business policy

All members are required to read, understand and adhere to the following Covid-19 policies. This document is amended from the original policies set out after lockdown 1.0.

Fitness Classes

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 September 2021. Whilst the legal restrictions surrounding Covid-19 have been lifted, Fitness Quest strives to ensure classes do not increase the transmission of Covid-19 and therefore, members and staff are asked to adhere to the following policy.

1.0 - Member responsibility to minimise the spread of Covid-19

1.1 - If a member is required to self isolate according to government guidelines, they should not attend class until they are no longer required to isolate, or until they are no longer testing positive or displaying symptoms of Covid-19. 

1.2 - All members will be required to complete an online sign in 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 test and trace system. This will also act as a Covid-19 disclaimer that you are not displaying Covid-19 symptoms. This method of sign in, also replaces our pen and paper fire register.

1.3 - Members who sign in online and can no longer attend must log back into bookwhen and cancel their ticket, otherwise their contact details will remain listed as an attendee. 

1.4 - 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.

1.5 - Face coverings DO NOT need to be worn - however, members are welcome to wear one when they are not exercising should they choose to. It is advised you bring a face covering that you could wear when entering enclosed spaces where you may come into close contact with others such as corridors.

1.6 - Each member is expected to take responsibility for their participation in each session, this includes using hand sanitiser after touching surfaces.

1.7 - Upon return to class members will be advised to maintain 2m distance from other members, at all times unless they are in the same household bubble.

1.8 - Members should refrain from any physical contact with any other person whilst participating in class (including hugs, high fives, fist bumps).

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

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

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 minimise your contact with others.

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

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

2.0  - Fitness Quest responsibility to minimise the spread of Covid-19

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

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

2.3 - The class capacity has been detailed in the Fitness Quest Risk Assessment for each venue. This is based on government guidelines.

2.4 - First Aid protocols are outlined here.

2.5 - No class formats requiring close contact (Boxercise) will be scheduled until Covid-19 risk is deemed negligible. 

2.6 - Fitness Quest staff are taking regular lateral flow tests and will cancel classes and begin self isolation should any test return a positive result.

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

 

3.0 - Booking onto a class

3.1 - All outstanding sessions, booked and paid in full before any lockdown will resume once the government permits fitness classes to be held. 

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 sign in, without completing this each week you will not be permitted to enter the class venue.

3.5 - 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. 

4.0 - Future lockdowns

4.1 - In the event of further national, local or school lockdowns classes may need to be cancelled at short notice. 

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

Sessions must adhere to 2m social distancing by all parties. Government guidelines can be found here. Fitness Quest will only be offering personal training sessions for a maximum of two people at this time. Indoor personal training is permitted in private households only, clients from the same household may participate in the 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 10 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. 

Return to classes after lockdown 2.0

  

December and January Fitness Classes

Classes available include HIIT, Kettlercise, PiYO, Sculpt & Burn are listed below in alphabetical order. 

Re-opening of classes post lockdown 2.0

I'm writing this in anticipation whilst we await final confirmation from the government regarding which tier Bournemouth will be placed in. At present, it looks as though classes may resume as long as we follow the same (or similar) rules to before. If you would like to book one of the few remaining places on a course, please do so ASAP by emailing info@fitnessquest.co.uk. Please note that start dates are subject to change in line with any government or venue restrictions and should we require further closures once the courses begin any remaining weeks will be completed once we are allowed to return. 

Boxercise is currently on a break due to the Covid-19 restrictions in place making pad work an unauthorised activity. We hope Boxercise can return soon.

Christmas Break

There will be no classes between Thursday 17th December 2020 and Sunday 3rd January 2021. Please check courses below for specific dates.

COVID-19 Policies

Please take the time to read the Fitness Quest Covid-19 Policies and ensure you understand and adhere to them at each class, should you have any questions about the measures in place and what is expected of members during these times, please get in touch. 

Class numbers have been restricted in line with the government rules, therefore once booked, no refunds or transfers are available due to the very limited viability of running classes at present. Should classes be cancelled due to further lockdowns, Fitness Quest or school closures then any course affected will be placed on hold until it is possible to resume classes - no weeks will be lost by members in this situation. Any active sessions you do not attend, for whatever reason, cannot be transferred.

Should you be seen to be in breach of the Covid-19 policies at a class (e.g. displaying symptoms/not engaging in social distancing) you may be refused the right to participate, without refund.

All members must have completed an online PAR-Q within the past 12 months and members must now sign in online before each class.

Epiphany Car Park

Please could everyone who parks their car at Epiphany Primary school for classes ensure they DO NOT drive out of the entrance when they leave. There have been some very near misses as people driving into the entrance or pedestrians crossing it are not expecting a vehicle to be exiting through it. If you need directions to the exit please ask at class.

CLASS TIMETABLE

HIIT 

Due to resume 7th December:

• Mondays 7:40pm - 8:10pm at Epiphany School, BH9 3PE. No classes on Bank Holidays. £30 for six consecutive weeks, you can start your six week block on a date to suit you. There will be no classes on 21st and 28th December so these weeks will not be included in your booking. Email info@fitnessquest.co.uk to book your place.

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is always in the media for its fat burning and body shaping benefits, and I've always incorporated it into many of my classes. Usually combined with my bootcamps or as a part of my popular sculpt and burn class, I've now decided to give HIIT its own slot on my timetable. I offer varying difficulty levels to adapt to all fitness ranges, so each and every one of you can work to your own ability. Performing body weight exercises, you can choose the high impact or low impact options and everyone will leave having had a great workout. It's also only a 30 minute class, so a great option for anyone looking for a quick blast.

KETTLERCISE

• Six week course due to start Monday 7th December 2020 - 25th January 2020 (no classes on 21st or 28th December), 6:30pm-7:25pm, Epiphany Primary School, Muscliff, BH9 3PE, £36. You will require your own Kettlebell. Please read the Covid-19 policy before returning to class. You are required to sign in to class online each week, this opens 48 hours before the class start time and you should cancel your space should you no longer be able to attend. ONLY THREE PLACES LEFT! Email info@fitnessquest.co.uk to book your place.

Kettlercise® covers a huge range of 37 kettlebell exercises ranging from basic moves to more advanced techniques, from high energy pulse raises to being able to place extra emphasis on target muscle groups like abs, glutes, arms and thighs and all with maximum effectiveness. It will not only destroy unwanted body fat but completely shape your body!

PiYO

• Current course finishes 9th December 2020 (previously due to finish 11th November 2020). 
• Eight week course starts Wednesday 16th December 2020 - 17th February 2021 (no classes on 23rd and 30th December 2020), 6:30pm - 7:25pm, Epiphany Primary School, Muscliff, BH9 3PE, £48. You are required to sign in to class online each week, this opens 48 hours before the class start time and you should cancel your space should you no longer be able to attend. ONLY TWO PLACES LEFT! Email info@fitnessquest.co.uk to book your place.

PiYo is a group fitness class inspired by Pilates and Yoga. It's a full body workout designed to improve your strength and flexibility. Although inspired by Pilates and Yoga, forget everything you know about these techniques... PiYo is a whole new format in it's own right. I've never taught anything quite like it, you can certainly feel it challenging your muscles in ways you've never felt them work before! Putting together our PiYo poses, we are constantly flowing from one move to another, ensuring you don't stay still. This makes PiYo not only great for strength and flexibility but also calorie burn (there will be lots of sweat)!

During a PiYo live class, we'll complete a series of tracks such as a warm up, heat building, lower body, full body fusion etc. All of these tracks are done to an upbeat soundtrack, so no whale music, as lovely as it is ;-) It's all low impact (with the option to add in a few jumps), and involves no weights, just your own body. 

For more information on PiYo, including my FAQ's please click here.

SCULPT & BURN

• Current course finishes 9th December 2020 (previously due to finish 11th November 2020). 

• Eight week course starts Wednesday 16th December 2020 - 17th February 2021 (no classes on 23rd and 30th December 2020), 7:40pm -  8:20pm, Epiphany Primary School, Muscliff, BH9 3PE, £48. You are required to sign in to class online each week, this opens 48 hours before the class start time and you should cancel your space should you no longer be able to attend. WAIT LIST ONLY! Email info@fitnessquest.co.uk to book your place.

This is a brand new concept, devised by myself and it will target both muscle toning and strength as well as calorie burning HIIT exercises. During Covid-19 restrictions, I won't be bringing equipment to class so ask that members choose to bring an object of their choice, whether that's a kettlebell, dumbbells, or a backpack filled with books! 

You will still get a few rounds of HIIT (high intensity interval training) in each class followed by a variety of strength and conditioning exercises which vary weekly. Combining these two types of training styles will maximise all round results. This class is ideal for those with a moderate to high fitness level and people looking for a physical challenge.

BOOKING INFORMATION

Course places must be booked in advance and your place can only be held once payment in full has been received. Bookings are non refundable and non transferrable. 

Due to restricted class numbers, please book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch:

info@fitnessquest.co.uk 07791 605150

November Lockdown Update and Return to Virtual

Arghhhhh... I guess we all knew it was inevitable at some point but it is still sad to be bringing you this update. Please read all of the information below fully and if I has missed anything or you are unsure of anything please email me. 

What has happened?

On Saturday 31st October 2020, Boris Johnson announced that England will be entering a four week national lockdown from Thursday 5th November 2020. You can read more about the restrictions here. It is hoped the lockdown restrictions can be eased from Wednesday 2nd December 2020. This unfortunately means that between these dates, all in person classes will be cancelled.

What happens until we enter lockdown on the 5th November? 

As it stands, all classes on Monday 2nd November and Wednesday 4th November will go ahead, unless the venue cancels our booking. I will contact anyone signed in to the classes should they need to be cancelled, so please ensure you sign in with the correct phone number and email listed. Cancellations will also be posted on the Facebook page.

Please continue to adhere to the Covid-19 policy in the meantime.

What happens to any outstanding classes?

If you are booked onto a current course, any remaining sessions will continue as soon as we are allowed back. If you are booked on to a future course which has not yet started, your payment has secured your place and the course will start as soon as we are allowed back.

Current course dates are:

Kettlercise - Monday 21st September - Monday 2nd November (completed in full)

HIIT - Six week, continuous block from your start date, this varies per participant.

PiYo - Wednesday 23rd September - 11th November (one week to be carried over to post lockdown, estimated to be 9th December 2020)

Sculpt & Burn - Wednesday 23rd September - 11th November (one week to be carried over to post lockdown, estimated to be 9th December 2020)

Future course dates are:

Kettlercise - Was due to start on Monday 9th November, new estimated start date is Monday 7th December (no classes on 21st or 28th December).

HIIT - Classes due to resume on 7th December (no classes on 21st or 28th December)

PiYo - Was due to start on Wednesday 18th November, new estimated start date is Wednesday 16th December (no classes on 23rd or 30th December)

Sculpt & Burn - Was due to start on Wednesday 18th November, new estimated start date is Wednesday 16th December (no classes on 23rd or 30th December)

How to book a place on a future course

Please be aware that estimated start dates may change and may be in 2021. If you have already paid for a future course, your place on the course is secure. 

If you would like to guarantee your place on the next course please email me to book and arrange payment. Places cannot be held without payment.

What is the plan to returning to Virtual Classes during lockdown?

Here is the exciting bit, I have been preparing for the likelihood of returning to our virtual class room and have therefore invested in some new programmes. Teaching virtually is fantastic for keeping in touch with you all and motivating you to stay fit and healthy, however it's difficult to make it financially viable. I am hopeful that we'll only need a four week block, even if we're not back to in person classes before Christmas, hopefully we'll be back as usual early January, without the need for a second block. 

Four Week Lockdown Fitness Blitz - Starts Monday 9th November 2020

All of the following is included in membership:

• Monday L1FT (weighted workout) - 6:30pm-7pm
• Monday SH1FT (HIIT) - 7:15pm-7:45pm
• Wednesday M1ND (mobility, stability, flexibility) - 6:30pm-7pm
• Wednesday Sculpt & Burn (functional fitness) - 7:15pm-7:45pm
• Catch up access to SH1FT, L1FT and M1ND for 7 days
• Access to SH1FT & L1FT on demand
• Access to on demand PiYo
• Weekly workout to attempt in your own time
• Block challenge (to be announced)
• Access to Fitness Quest Virtual Classes Facebook Group

Further to the above, a Thursday class (or two) may be added, should there be enough membership sign ups, this will likely be Boxing HIIT. Some class times may also be extended to 40-45 minutes.

Cost

Full access to the membership benefits listed above will cost £30 for the four week period between 9th November and 6th December 2020. 

The cost of membership factors in my business overheads such as Zoom account, professional fees such as insurance and licence fees for the course formats I teach (whether actively teaching or not) and unfortunately doesn't begin to cover a wage but it does keep the business running until we can get back to normal.

I don't like begging, but I am giving some members who would like to donate an extra £10 the option of becoming a FQ Super Star, in return I will be giving the first 6 people to donate the extra £10 (taking membership to £40 for the four weeks) a special edition Kettlercise DVD:

Members shouldn't feel pressured to donate the extra but for those that do, please note that I will be forever thankful for your kindness! Some of you may already have this DVD so please do check before donating the £10.

Lockdown Party!

Finally... Let's try to flip the situation and celebrate what we do have! I'm planning to celebrate with a day of fitness and catch ups with you all (virtually of course) to launch this next block of virtual classes.

Please let me know if you would like to book a place on the Fitness Party, here's your invite:

When - Saturday 7th November 2020, 10am-1:30pm, Zoom

What - Try out all of the fitness formats from SH1FT, L1FT, M1ND, Sculpt & Burn and Boxing HIIT. We will also put some time aside to catch up and have a good old chat! You can do all of the classes or just the ones you want to try.

Who can join the party? Anyone - Past members, current members or people thinking about becoming members. You only need internet access and a safe space to exercise so you can join in from any location. 

Cost - £7 for the day pass.

How to book? Email info@fitnessquest.co.uk

Please share this information far and wide, let get lots of people to the party next Saturday and maybe even some sign ups for the four week lockdown fitness blitz. 

Thanks again for your continued support and understanding. Supporting a small business is so much more than just buying a product or service, it gives hope and happiness.

Vicki

Important Recap for the Return to Fitness Classes

 

WOW! How wonderful to be back to teaching actual in person classes last week! It’s been amazing to see you all again and I hope those of you who managed to get back last week enjoyed it.

It’s been a crazy six months and whilst I’m over the moon to get back to teaching, the whole Covid-19 situation has inevitably left me feeling quite apprehensive and stressed about ensuring I get everything right whilst still making classes effective and safe! I’m sure we’ll all get used to the rules and restrictions in place within a week or so, but I just wanted to remind you all of the really important information.

The Covid-19 policies I asked you all to read in my last email (13^th September) are genuinely so important to be aware of so that we can adhere to these each week. There’s a lot to remember, so I’m asking that you all take the time to read through them again which will hopefully mean I don’t have to keep reminding everyone each week. The rules are mainly here to keep us and the other users of the school safe, but also to ensure that I am able to continue running Covid secure classes for the foreseeable future.

I can’t thank you all enough for sticking to the most important rules this week, I just want to mention a few things below which will hopefully improve classes even more!

1. Please try to arrive as close to the start time as possible. If you arrive early, please wait in your car (or away from the main entrance) until a minute or two before the class start time as this will prevent people from congregating in groups. Please remember you are not permitted to mingle in groups of more than six. Not arriving early also ensures Liam and I have enough time to clean the touch points and open windows and doors.

2. With this in mind, I also need to be strict on class start times. At Epiphany, the front door will be locked and curtains closed once the session starts, this is to stop passers by trying to access the premises without authorisation. If you are running late it is important that you TEXT me (not Facebook) and within reason I will wait a few minutes before starting the class and locking the doors.

07791 605150

3. Please remember to sign in to EACH CLASS you attend, this opens 48 hours before the class start time and replaces our paper sign in methods. I recommend setting reminders on your phone as I will no longer be sending personal reminders. I am using this as a fire register, a method of planning class spacing and also for track and trace data collection. Therefore, this information will be held securely for 21 days after the class has ended. If you can no longer attend the class please log back into your “booking” and cancel your place otherwise you will remain an attendee for this class. As of Thursday 24^th September I will also be displaying a QR code for the NHS Test and Trace app and you have been encouraged by the government to download and use the app where possible. If you cannot do this your online sign in provides all of the required information.

www.bookwhen.com/fitnessquest

4. When you arrive at class, you may be guided to a certain area of the hall by either Liam or myself. This is so we can fill the hall, based on anticipated numbers, as far away from the entrance as possible. You may notice we’ve laid out bright pink discs in some of the busier classes, these are 3m² boxes and the corners mark your boundary. Please keep your personal belongings within your area and avoid touching school furniture or placing your belongings on tables/chairs etc. Sanitiser (70% alcohol) is available for you to use. If you need to move around the hall (e.g. to access toilet) please just be aware that you must maintain 2m distance from any other member.

I’m aware this all seems quite regimented to read (and definitely a little strange in practice too), but I’m confident we will get used to it soon.

I hate having to mention all of the rules in person, it’s awkward and certainly isn’t the most fun part of my job but I do really appreciate your support, acceptance and understanding each class. If I notice anything which goes against the policies, whether that’s potential symptoms or gathering in groups larger than six, I will need to ask people to leave or change their behaviour otherwise I am facing huge fines and closing classes; please don’t put me in this situation. If you are unsure about any of the policy please email me and I will be happy to clarify.

We are extremely lucky that fitness classes are exempt from the rule of six, but this only works with your co-operation, (GOV.UK 2020) point 3.15.

If you have ANY of the Covid-19 symptoms, please do not attend class:

·         A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

·         A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

·         A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

(NHS 2020)

Thank you so much for your continued support, it may not seem like it with all my nagging but I am beyond grateful. Without everyone keeping themselves in credit, adapting to online memberships and signing up to the in person classes at the earliest opportunity, Fitness Quest would not have survived to this point. You may not be aware of the impact you have individually had on so many local businesses over the past six months, but without even the smallest of gestures, even more families across the World would have felt the impact much more severely. So on behalf of all the small businesses you’ve been able to support, thank you.

I look forward to seeing you all again this week.

Covid-19 Updates - Plan of Action

I hope you are all keeping well and you are slowly finding some aspects of your life are returning to normal.

When we closed classes there were murmurs of lockdown lasting two, maybe three months, but we're now heading into the FIFTH block of four week virtual memberships (starts Monday 20th July). My lovely members have adapted really well and are enjoying the virtual classes, but we're all chomping at the bit to return to in person classes.

Whilst the government announced that gyms are allowed to reopen on the 25th July, unfortunately the easing of restrictions doesn't simply translate to community halls such as schools and churches. There's a lot of guidelines to adhere to which currently are not possible in smaller venues (ventilation, one way systems, maximum capacity). Further to this, both of my schools have confirmed that a return to classes will not be possible until September, provided the Covid-19 situation does not worsen and restrictions have eased to allow us all a safe return (the schools priority is quite rightly the children).

Considering the above information, along with recent government advice I will be working with a date of return to classes for the week commencing 21st September 2020. This is by no means set in stone but it does give us all a date to work towards. I have outlined a return to classes policy, which I would encourage you to read regularly as it will be updated as the situation changes. Once we return, all members will be required to adhere to the Covid-19 policy. All payments/bookings will resume from the first confirmed date we are allowed back.

The good news for those of you who are currently virtual members, is that this means we will have another four week block running between 17th August and 13th September 2020.

For those of you who have not yet joined us online, I really would encourage you to give it a go. I now have a combination of pre-recorded and live classes, as well as some catch up classes for HIIT and Boxercise HIIT which are available for 7 days after the live class for you to complete whenever your schedule allows. Please discuss giving the classes a go with me as I'd really love you to use the next eight weeks as a way of phasing yourself back into classes. You can read more about the virtual membership here.

If you have not yet completed the RETURN TO FITNESS SURVEY please do so as soon as possible as it really helps me to plan our return based on what the majority of members want.

I have found the transition from teaching in person to online a challenge but enjoyable at the same time. I've had regular emotional breakdowns about the uncertainty of what the future holds for Fitness Quest and my fellow community fitness instructors. I've missed the interactivity and naughty corners a real class offers up each and every week. I have also worked hard to adapt what I can offer based on member feedback, at times not knowing if it would work. I therefore believe wholeheartedly that by working together, we CAN get back to achieving amazing community fitness classes.

I'm beyond grateful for all of the support you've all shown me so far, but the journey to recovery is far from over. I appreciate your patience over the next couple of months, as plans are bound to change. Even once we make it back we can't guarantee that there won't be any further local lockdowns. Therefore I would ask that you all remain open minded to giving online options a go in case of a "plan B" scenario. Fingers crossed it's smooth sailing once we're back!

If anyone would like to discuss anything, from barriers to joining us online, worries about returning to in person classes or just to touch base please send me an email. I'll get back to you as soon as I can, I may be a little slow to reply as I've taken on some hours with the uni to help pay some bills!

Thanks again and I can't wait to see you all really soon!

Vicki