Coronavirus operating procedures

Latest Update: We are now fully reopen. Please take some time to read our covid procedures below to see what we’re doing to keep you as safe as possible.

We’ve followed the advice given by Public Health England and UK Active, a body which supports gyms and leisure facilities, to make sure we are doing everything possible to keep you and our staff safe. If you have any questions or concerns around any of the information below please contact us

General

• A Covid-19 risk assessment has been completed as per government guidelines. A copy can be downloaded above
• It is optional to wear a face covering in communal areas of the studio.
• We will continue to display the QR code for the government track & trace scheme and we encourage you to check in to the facility. First download the NHS Covid 19 app to your smart phone. Each time you enter the building you’ll need to scan the code by selecting ‘venue check in’ & scan the code with your phone.
• We confirm we have complied with the governments 5 step guidance on managing the risk of Covid-19. The details can be downloaded above.
• Public Health England (PHE) or equivalent posters will be on display informing customers and staff of social distancing and cleanliness/hygiene protocols throughout the facility.
• Applebees Fitness will commit to the wellbeing of their staff and customers, and if they show/have any signs of Covid-19 (temperature, cough and difficulty breathing), they will be sent home to follow Government regulations.
• Applebees Fitness will comply with any health designation documentation that the government implements
• Hand wipes/sanitisers will be on offer (or people will be directed to where they can clean their hands)
• Applebees Fitness will ensure that social distancing is adhered to, further criteria is below for certain areas.
• Face masks will not be mandatory for staff, unless their role requires this.
• It is down to the individual customer to take reasonable personal responsibility when taking part in physical activity.
• If there is a Covid-19 case in the facility, we will follow the latest guidance from Public Health England
• Any clients experiencing any coronavirus like symptoms or living with or have been in contact with will be advised to self isolate in line with government guidelines for up to 10 days.
• Anyone arriving for a class, PT session or to use the gym displaying coronavirus symptoms will be asked to leave and the facility cleaned as per the guidelines above. Anyone refusing to follow social distancing or hygiene rules will also be asked to leave.
• Online booking and payment will be the preferred method of collecting service fees, however card/contactless payment will also be accepted.
• If you have an underlying health condition or are over the age of 70 please ensure you are following current government guidance to maintain your safety
• All staff have received comprehensive training in these procedures and will ensure they are adhered to at all times

Cleaning

• We will continue our rigorous cleaning procedures that are already in place which include:
  • Carrying out regular cleaning of high contact touch points throughout the premises such as doors and keypads, these will be left open as much as possible to avoid contact
  • all equipment between clients and classes will be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant/antibacterial wipes
  • Where we have more than one piece of the same equipment we will use a different piece per client.
  • At the end of each day the studio will be cleaned thoroughly
  • A further deep clean will take place at the end of each week and immediately if there has been risk of contamination from any persons suffering with any Covid-19 symptoms.
  • Ensuring disinfectant wipes and antibacterial hand gel will be provided for use at various necessary points throughout the facility.

Reception Areas

• Hand wipes/sanitisers will be on offer (or directed to where people can clean their hands).
• Gloves are not mandatory as the World Health Organisation (WHO) advice is that it is preferable not to wear gloves but to regularly wash your hands.
• Queue management – Please aim to adhere to 2m social distancing, and wait outside and away from the entrance until your class instructor calls you in.
• Try to limit the time you are inside the building by not waiting in reception areas unless absolutely necessary

Changing Rooms/Showers/Toilets

• Changing rooms and toilets will be available
• Showers are available if required
• Extra care/signposting will be provided to maintain social distancing when in these areas.
• Lockers will remain in use, as long as social distancing can be maintained.
• Spray and cloths will be available for customer use for touch points.

Outdoor gym

• Maximum number allowed to use the outdoor gym at any one time will be 5
• You must book online and workout time will be limited to one hour per person
• Only equipment that is 2m apart will be used
• Touch points of equipment will be cleaned after use – this can be done either by the customer or staff using spray and cloths provided. This is in addition to the cleaning schedule.
• Towels/sweat towels must not be taken onto the gymfloor

PT Studio

• Each session will be booked in for 55mins allowing an extra 5mins between each session to ensure no crossover between clients and for further cleaning.
• Please do not arrive too early for your session to reduce your time spent waiting and possibility of crossover of clients
• Please wait outside for your session, your personal trainer will come and get you when ready. If it is raining you can wait at the rear of the studio on the bench provided, provided this area is not already being used by other providers (Channel/rowing club/Kayak club etc)
• Social distancing guidelines must be followed at all times
• We will avoid the use of the same equipment for consecutive clients
• Equipment (including mats etc) will be cleaned in between use. This can either be done by the customer or staff member using spray and cloths provided.
• Health MOT’s will remain if strict cleanliness of individuals and rooms is enforced and relevant PPE is worn.  

Fitness Classes

• All fitness classes will run outside unless weather prevents us from doing so. Spin, Yoga and pilates will take place inside the studio.
• For anyone attending group classes it is now optional to wear a face covering to enter the building & in the stairwell.
• For anyone attending PT or group PT, if the weather is dry please wait outside until our staff are ready to welcome you. If it is wet please wait in the reception area and it is optional to wear a face covering until you enter the studio.
• Class sizes will remain limited. These numbers may vary dependent on each class format and max numbers will be visible when booking in.
• Group classes will be organised in a series of formations to comply with social distancing, with appropriate spacing between participants monitored by the instructor throughout the class.
• Customers will be advised not to cluster in groups before/after sessions and not to arrive too early for classes.
• Customers will be advised to wait in a convenient location where you can remain 2m apart from other class attendees making sure not to block or wait near the entrance. This will be along the building towards the disabled parking bay and towards the rowing compound.
• In order to ensure we have appropriate space available it is essential to book online for every class in advance. Priority will be given to those with current memberships as advertised on our website. Customers will be reminded to cancel if they are unable to attend to allow space for other members.
• Social distancing and cleanliness will be promoted by the instructor(s) at the beginning, end and throughout classes.
• Customers will be advised to bring their own mat where possible. If you do not have one we can provide these but please only take one for yourself and not for other people. They must be wiped down and cleaned after use, cleaning products will be available for you.
• If the outdoor class can not go ahead due to weather conditions we will run this indoors within government guidelines, and the class will be recorded through our online format.
• Classes will continue to be recorded for live participation from home or the option of participation at a time that suits you due to the recording of the class being saved.

First Aid

• Although there may be heightened concerns around first aid, this will continue as normal, with the below aspects to be used when needed:
  • Gloves.
  • Resus masks for emergency first aid to be provided to all first aiders.
  • Face masks for general first aid.
  • The Resuscitation Council UK has provided specific guidance on CPR delivery.