GoodLife gym facing backlash after encouraging members to ‘stand up for fitness’

With Ontario – and most of the planet – dealing with a second wave of COVID-19, one major gym is encouraging its members to “stand up for fitness”.

In a recent email, GoodLife Fitness urged its customer-base to reach out to their local MPPs and demand that gyms be re-opened across COVID-19 hotspots.

“Between mandated shutdowns, capacity restrictions, and ongoing questions about the safety of fitness facilities, our industry is facing the most difficult time in its history,” the letter reads, in part.

“Stand Up for Fitness! – Write a Letter to Your M.P.P.,” the subject line reads.

The email was sent to roughly 200,000 GoodLife Fitness across the province.

“As an important contributor to the fitness industry in Ontario, you can help by sending a letter to your Member of Provincial Parliament (M.P.P.). This letter will serve to support the swift reopening of our closed Clubs and to prevent further closures in the province,” GoodLife wrote.

The subject of attending gyms despite several locations closed under modified Stage 2 restrictions has been discussed at length in recent weeks.

In mid-Oct., crowds of gym-goers left their own regions to work out in jurisdictions that have not yet reverted back to Stage 2, such as Milton.

“We are doing everything we can to work with government and public health experts to be a part of the solution, and to help advise on the decisions they are making for our industry,” the letter goes on to say.

“In order to be as effective as possible in our outreach to government and public health, we need your help!”

Ontario announced modified Stage 2 restrictions for Ottawa, Toronto, Peel, and most recently York that includes the closure of indoor gyms and fitness centres, as well as yoga and dance studios for at least 28 days.