Gym openly defying public health order on fitness centres

Posted January 4, 2022 7:09 am.

As fitness centres remain shut down by the province because of a rapid spike in COVID-19 infections, there’s at least one openly defying the order.

The gym in West Kelowna is keeping its doors open, arguing people need a place to work out.

Iron Energy Gym has made several social media posts since the order came down, promising to stay open for its members.

“Bonnie Henry has ordered us to shut down but you know what I mean, I think a gym is so much more than a gym I think it means a lot to a lot of people,” one of the co-owners said in the Facebook video.

“Everything is so negative these days, this is my positivity right here, it keeps me alive,” one of the members said in the video.

Another member said “It’s through the gym and taking care of my mental health that I was able to reach sobriety.”

The gym has also urged members to record any incidents that may arise as it waits for “what happens next.”

“If anyone shows up at OUR GYM and tries to shut us down, we want it BLASTED all over the internet. Let’s TAKE BACK OUR FREEDOM. Let’s take back our right to exercise. Let’s make gyms essential,” an Instagram post reads.

The provincial health order issued Dec. 22, 2021 states “An adult must not participate in exercise or fitness in a workout gym or fitness facility on either an individual or group basis.”

The rules, however, do not apply to high-performance athletes.

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix was asked on New Year’s Eve about criticism to the recent health orders and said the province did not make these decisions lightly.

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“My recommendation to everyone is that they follow these orders which were put in place seriously, thoughtfully, and reluctantly, and to do so until January 18th,” Dix said on Dec. 31.

Although he said he knows the impact this has on businesses as well as the mental health of members, the recent surge in COVID-19 cases has forced the province to take necessary steps.

Those who don’t obey them could face significant fines.

“Public health orders will be enforced and I suggest people follow them because they make us all safer,” Dix said, adding, “What do we expect people to do? We expect them to follow the rules.”

Many have questioned why fitness centres have been forced to close, while other businesses can remain open, but health officials have stated that those decisions are made with risks in mind.

“I know how hard it is for those in the fitness industry who have done a very good job through this period in 2021 in dealing as we’ve dealt with previous waves. But the Omicron variant of concern, as Dr. Bonnie Henry has said… is different and it doesn’t allow us to do some of the things that we could do before without promoting the spread,” Dix said.

More than 40,000 signatures have been collected on a change.org petition calling for the province to reconsider.

“The decision to close fitness centres without consideration for any sort of additional options is both erroneous and a disservice to the community that has obeyed the Provincial Health orders without pause. Rather than a knee-jerk reaction, the province should work with the industry to explore alternative measures,” the petition reads in part.

Another gym had posted it was defying the orders in December, but was handed a fine for remaining open.

“Unfortunately, we received a fine from RCMP and cannot continue to go down that road both financially and with the idea of losing Fitness Inc completely. What we have built and the community that supports us, is too valuable to risk or put up to chance,” Trevor Zak with Fitness INC in Cranbrook said on Dec. 26 in a Facebook post, adding a fundraiser was being set up to help “offset the financial burden of fines.”

The provincial order is set to expire on Jan. 18.

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