Low-intensity fitness classes resume day after B.C. COVID restrictions ease
Posted May 26, 2021 1:31 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Some low-intensity, indoor fitness classes were already running Wednesday morning, a day after the province gave them the green light as part of the reopening plan.
Jenny Wong with SWEAT Vancity Studio says it’s a huge relief to see some restrictions lift, adding they are “definitely seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”
“We had people emailing me before we even put out our own announcements that we were reopening today. And we did have our first two in-studio classes this morning. And … the energy’s high, the buzz is high,” she says.
“People are so excited to be back in studio, which is awesome because summer is typically a little bit of a slower season for in-studio group fitness because the weather’s so nice. But I think people are maybe sick of doing a little bit of too many outdoors or virtual classes and are looking for it to get back in.”
View this post on Instagram
Wong adds she is surprised to hear the latest plan for fitness centres, but “we’re super pleased. And we’re really happy.”
“We trust that if this is the plan that they’re rolling out that they’re doing that with lots of thought and lots of research to back that up.”
Related article: B.C. to allow larger indoor gatherings, province-wide travel in mid-June
She says it will be a long road to recovery for many businesses. Calling restrictions during the last year “gut-wrenching,” she watched other businesses around then permanently shut their doors.
“[There have been] lots of moments of [thinking] we’re not going to make it, or wondering which business closure is going to be announced next on Instagram or social media and wondering how we can help each other out but also survive ourselves.”
“It’s been definitely a wild ride, lots of ups and downs, lots of emotion, lots of frustrations, anger, confusion, sadness … I think the road to recovery [has been] a little bit longer than obviously, we would all hope, but I think everybody is just grateful that we’re able to stay open that we’re moving ahead.”
Wong says the SWEAT Vancity Studio is now just taking things “day by day,” and she and her colleagues will continue hoping for the best.
Read More: B.C.’s restart plan timeline
On Tuesday, the province announced that low-intensity indoor fitness classes could happen, but no spectators are allowed. Other changes are slated for mid-June.
Here is the 4 four-step restart plan for sports and activities:
May 25:
- Low-intensity indoor fitness classes with limited capacity
- Outdoor local team games and practices for all ages, no spectators allowed
- Example: Pilates class
June 15 (earliest date):
- High-intensity indoor fitness classes with limited capacity
- Indoor team games and practices for all ages, no spectators allowed
- Maximum 50 spectators for outdoor games and practices
- Example: Watch your kid’s soccer game
July 1 (earliest date):
- All indoor fitness classes with increased capacity
- Limited numbers of indoor spectators
- Example: A drop-in fitness class
Sept. 7 (earliest date):
- Increased outdoor spectators
- Increased indoor spectators
- Return of normal sport competitions with safety protocols
- Example: Sit in the stands and watch your team play
(Courtesy: B.C. government)
– With files from Denise Wong
