Starting next week, Planet Fitness will require customers to wear masks at all times in its facilities, even while exercising. The global fitness chain made the announcement Monday. The new requirement takes effect on Sunday, August 1.
“As we continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic, in the midst of an ongoing global health crisis, wellness has never been as essential to our collective community as it is today,” said Chris Rondeau, CEO of Planet Fitness , in a press release on the Planet Fitness website. “Gyms are part of the solution and a key element of the health service delivery system, as they provide much-needed access for people to exercise and stay healthy. Given our leadership position within the industry, we believe it is our responsibility to further protect our members, employees, and communities so that we can all safely focus on our health, which is more important now than ever before. ”
The fitness giant provided additional guidance on the mask requirement in an email to its members, with a link to a video with tips on how to exercise while wearing a mask. Recommendations include finding a mask that fits properly, planning time to take breaks for breathing during exercise routines, and developing methods of breathing at a comfortable rate, such as “humming a little tune to the head” to space out the breaths.
In both the email and the portion of its website dedicated to the COVID-19 FAQ, Planet Fitness explained the new mask policy. Gym staff will provide disposable masks to customers who do not have them and wish to exercise on the premises. Planet Fitness encouraged those with medical conditions that prevent wearing a mask or preferred not to use one to communicate with their local fitness clubs, offering to freeze membership fees for those who do not wish to follow the guidelines.
“We are happy to freeze their membership until we no longer need masks at our clubs,” the gym network said in the email and on its website.
Planet Fitness suspended operations in March in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and freeze membership dues until fitness clubs reopened. While Planet Fitness clubs across the country have started to gradually reopen and resume operations since May, and some locations in states like New Jersey and New York have yet to reopen.
Since its reopening, Planet Fitness has adopted improved cleaning procedures and social distancing protocols marked “Social Conditioning”, including contactless registration and restricted use of equipment to promote distance between members.
A look inside a Planet Fitness, with new precautions and signage to protect people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before Monday’s announcement, some Planet Fitness locations have required customers to wear masks in common areas, but not while exercising. Others have required clients to wear masks while exercising.
Governor Kay Ivey’s amended Safer at Home order allowed the reopening of gyms and gyms on May 11. There are over 30 Planet Fitness locations in Alabama.
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