A debate has raged across New Brunswick social media pages during the past week.
With Level 3 measures taking effect, gyms have been forced to close. Many gym owners and gym-goers have expressed their displeasure with the provincial government’s decision.
People opposed to the opening of gyms have pointed out the high likelihood of COVID-19 spreading in an environment where people are breathing heavily in relatively close quarters.
They also point out that the lockdown is only two weeks and there are alternative forms of exercise available during this time.
One New Brunswick Twitter user @thecaitdiaries said, “six people died today but yeah I’m sorry you can’t use the stair stepper for two weeks.”
The same user also said, “I might think about feeling differently if there wasn’t an end in sight but it’s literally two weeks of your life, have a little perspective.”
Local gym owner, Mick Dawson, feels differently and has been very vocal about his stance.
“The gym was a place where people could escape and they have lost that.”
Dawson believes the benefits that the gym provides outweighs its potential risk as a vector of transmission.
“Policy makers are not taking note of what fitness does for someone’s physical and mental health.”
He says gyms like his are exactly what should be promoted as a way out of the pandemic.
Dawson points to the fact that using a gym requires full vaccination and vaccinated individuals are much less likely to end up in hospital.
He says regular gym users are also in a much better position to fight the virus should they contract it.
“Our programming minimizes the chance of members being hospitalized due to COVID-19.”
As for it only being two weeks, Dawson said he has heard that before.
“The last two years have shown us that nothing is a sure thing.”
Premier Higgs said last week that the province is on track to be in Level 2 by the end of the month, but with 126 hospitalizations on Sunday, another record, this is beginning to seem unlikely.
Dawson says home fitness is an option for some, but not for all.
“Many of our members work all day and then need to find time to work out. It can be extremely difficult to find the motivation and discipline to work out after a long day, especially with kids in the home.”
For members at Magine Athletics, the gym provides an escape. Members also show up to a group class with the programming already done for them.
The main point of frustration for Dawson and other gym owners is that they have done everything the provincial government has asked during this pandemic and are still forced to close.
For now, gyms are open again as the province is back to Level 2, but the dichotomy between those who view gyms as essential and those who view them as a privilege is still visible on social media.