Restrictions, messaging and compliance surrounding face masks has been less than consistent across the country. Some fitness facilities don’t require a mask at all, some only when you are checking in and out or when you are in common areas and can’t maintain 6 feet distance, and others require them at all times, even during exercise.
As a fitness business owner I have been doing my best to keep up with the regulations and recommendations in our state and what other fitness organizations are doing across the country. This topic is ever changing and evolving, as most things are currently in our world! Because of this, we have had to remain willing to adapt and change our policies.
I recently wrote a blog post about whether or not clients should wear face masks while exercising. I cover the possible effects of wearing a face mask while exercising and some of the face mask options that may be best for exercise.
Currently, in the state of Washington, we are allowed to remove our masks during exercise as long as we can maintain 6 feet distance from others.
Recommendations and regulations continue to evolve and I am in regular communication with our Governor’s office to assure we have all the up-to-date current information and can better navigate how we answer the “mask” question with our clients.
As it is with all fitness business owners and managers….the health and safety of our clients and staff is my top priority. Since there has been more and more emphasis put on wearing masks, but many have a hard time tolerating wearing cloth face masks during exercise, I decided to go to the source and ask our governor’s office their recommendation for Face Shields (plastic shields) and whether they would be appropriate usage for our clients and team members and here was the response we received.
Read the rest of Navigating The Face Mask Question At Your Fitness Facility
We recently learned (despite much effort on our part) that fitness facilities in Washington state must close again. I know that many fitness facilities across the country are facing similar shut downs. We are extremely disappointed, but we have to work with what we have and move forward.
