JOURNAL
Preparing Equipment For Re-Opening Part two of a three-part series, Matrix shares how to ensure your equipment is up to standard for re-opening By Ben Mcginn 1. Social distancing and placement for usage: Most facilities do not have storage or floor space capabilities to remove or place machines to coordinate with mandated or ideal distancing protocols. While it is easier for an exerciser to wait for the adequate distancing on strength machines, the same can’t be said for cardio machines that are typically placed much closer together. If you don’t have the space to spread things out, our recommendation is to block every second unit from use for prescribed hours, days, or weeks for the distancing required and alternate accordingly to ensure the mileage/ usage is as uniform as possible. Most good suppliers can help you with layout services as part of your ongoing partnership with them. If not available in your region, Matrix Fitness Canada will gladly provide these services at no charge. 2. Creation of exercise “pods”: Another idea to control traffic and 24 canfitpro March/April 2021
equipment usage is to move any number of desired pieces of equipment to an area that a small number of exercisers are required to stay in for the duration of their workout. This method could coincide well with a facility system that requires online bookings for the regulated number of people allowed.
4. Technology: An overlooked feature on internetcapable cardio machines is their connection to the internet. It is common that they will drop the wi-fi or hard-lined connection from time to time, so it is recommended to go through each to ensure they are up and running.
It will also instill confidence for members, knowing that they will need to socially distance with a limited number of people, rather than many in all corners of the facility. 3. Operational checks: Timing is important on this one. We recommend that upon advanced notice of a government approved go-ahead to open, to have staff do a thorough operational check of each machine as soon as possible to ensure you have enough time to have a technician visit for a fix/diagnosis, or to be able to block or remove any problematic units before welcoming members back.
Ben Mcginn is a Matrix Fitness representative in Southern Alberta, and former service technician. Ben has extensive experience in supporting organizations that offer fitness. His perspective in unique and skillset highly qualified in supporting facilities of all sizes. You can reach Ben at Ben. mcginn@matrixfitness.com
