Have Fun. Stay Active. Feel Safe

As the fight against COVID-19 continues, with new restrictions introduced from Wednesday 2 December, it is understandable that people may struggle to know how they can stay active and feel safe.

Whilst many people will return to the gym to get their fitness fix, others are more hesitant, and Brio Leisure is keen to help people find an activity to suit them. 

Brio Leisure, wholly owned by Cheshire West and Chester Council, currently runs seven gyms, six pools and over 400 weekly fitness classes, all available to book online and with the health and safety of both customers and staff as its top priority.  

From reopening in July, Brio planned and executed a phased return of centres and activities. Brio boasts cleaning standards approved by the Environmental Health team, with clear social distancing guidelines and new processes to ensure safety for all so you can still enjoy staying active with that added peace of mind.  

 Following the first national lockdown, customers have joined in to share their appreciation and support Brio by further encouraging residents to return to centres when they open their doors once again on Wednesday, 2 December.

Chris, a regular class goer, said coming back to Brio wasn’t at the top of her agenda. 

“I was anxious all the way through lockdown and worried about what would happen when we came out of lockdown”, she said.

 She also admitted to believing that the gym would be the ‘least safe environment’.  

 After reading about how everything was going to work, she took the first step and booked herself back into her favourite Pilates class.  

 Chris now claims to prefer the new process.

 “Fitness classes are more structured and organised now; we are in a big space and Brio has restricted the numbers for our safety. When we arrive, there are grid lines and we have our own space and our own little area to work out in. It’s really nice!” she said.

 Helen and her daughter, Harper, enjoy the Family Swim sessions.

 She said: “I was really worried about coming back after lockdown, being pregnant with my second child and isolating for so long, there was a point I didn’t think I would ever feel confident enough to come back. I didn’t think it was possible to keep a safe distance from others especially with a two-and-a-half-year-old! I just didn’t want to put myself or my child at risk.” 

After speaking to a member of the Brio team, who explained the cleaning procedures, and watching an online video showcasing Brio’s ‘new normal’, her confidence grew, and she decided to give it a go. 

 “We don’t cross over with anyone from the gym or elsewhere and we are allocated a socially distanced changing space at the side of the pool,” she said. 

“The pool is marked into sections for each family and there is loads of space – it’s like having our own private pool!” 

Greg Jones has been a regular member at Brio Leisure for over seven years and uses the gym five to six times a week. Things are a little different for gym users, and Greg explained: “Everything has to be booked online now and, although I am not computer savvy, I got used to using the mobile app quickly and I found it very easy to use. I also like the confirmation email you receive as I know where I need to go and what time.

 “I like the new layout and I prefer it this way with equipment spread out a bit more. With the equipment spaced out in the new areas, there is plenty of room and it’s quieter now when I go in the morning which suits me just fine.

 “Everyone is kept two metres apart, even whilst queuing, and you are asked to wear a mask as you walk through the building. Although it’s clean, there’s also plenty of cleaning equipment available to clean the machines before and after using them.” 

 Brio Leisure is confident of its cleanliness and understands it will be different the first time you step back in. UK Active has discovered growing evidence that COVID-19 has a low prevalence in the gym environment, with Public Health England also reporting on the locations frequented by people before being diagnosed with the virus, showing gyms as one of the lowest, amounting to only 1.1% of cases. To illustrate the processes in place to secure users’ safety, Brio has offered a quick insight into the vast amounts of cleaning undertaken to ensure member safety before, during and after every visit. Take a look at their Keeping you clean video here: https://vimeo.com/brioleisure/clean.

 Brio’s Managing Director, Elly McFahn, said: ‘Throughout this whole pandemic, the Brio team has been on top of all the required guidance and best practice, and beyond, for example, the inclusion of separate access and egress routes for each activity. Customer and staff safety is paramount, and playing our part to enable all borough residents to return to Brio with the confidence that it remains so, for as long as we all live through this COVID-19 crisis. Leisure health and wellbeing is paramount, and we all know that the pandemic has given rise to many health-related issues, so our ability to be here, operating to government guidelines and playing our part in the recovery plan is critical.”

 Washing your hands regularly, keeping two metres away from people you do not live with and covering your face when in an enclosed space are key methods to stop the spread of COVID-19. If you develop any symptoms, including a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss or change in your sense of smell or taste, you must self-isolate immediately and book a test by calling: 119 or visiting: nhs.uk/coronavirus. 

Brio is committed to supporting you back to fitness and so is giving new and previous users the chance to try out their ‘new normal’ for FREE! Simply visit www.brioleisure.org/activate and enter code WELCOMEBACK to have seven days access to take a dip in the pool, workout in the gym or jump into a fitness class.