The science shows being fit mitigates against COVID-19. We’ve proven we can operate safely under the SAGE COVID-secure Framework. Time to join it up by securing essential service status

We want to see the UK government reclassifying gyms, leisure centres and PTs as an essential service, so they can stay open to save lives and help people fight and recover from COVID-19.

Research proves exercise protects people against the virus by increasing levels of extracellular superoxide dismutase (ecSOD) in the body. This bathes the organs and cells in a protein which protects them against COVID-19 and other pathogens.

As a result, people who exercise are less likely to be hospitalised with the virus; if they’re hospitalised, they’re less likely to need to be ventilated; and if they need to be ventilated they’re less likely to die.

Being fit also increases the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, so we’re calling on the government to keep gyms and leisure centres open, to encourage people to exercise and keep their body fat percentage under control, so we can fight the virus and prepare for a successful vaccine programme.

These are just two of the multitude of physical and mental health benefits which come from enabling people to keep fit – something that comes at no cost to the exchequer.

Boris Johnson has benefitted from the power of the fitness industry in his post-COVID recovery and weight loss and it’s vital this option is extended to everyone, rather than just being for the elite, with their home gyms.

The idea of essential service status was first proposed in October by Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, and would see gyms and leisure centres placed in the same category as things such as supermarkets, banks and chemists.

On page 45 of this issue of HCM, policymakers make the case to government for essential service status, with professor Greg Whyte, chair of the ukactive Scientific Advisory Board, arguing that the sector is already fulfilling this role, citing – for example – that 66 per cent of the nation’s cancer rehab and prehap services delivered in gyms and leisure centres by Level 4 staff.

With the threat of further lockdowns looming, getting essential service recognition for our sector must be our number one priority and we hope the case will be robustly argued in the upcoming Parliamentary debate on reopening gyms on 23 November.

The fitness industry has proven it’s COVID-secure and meets the SAGE-approved guidelines for safe operations. It’s time the government looked at the science and let us stay open, so we can continue our valuable work supporting the NHS and enabling people to exercise their fundamental human right to self care and exercise, rather than paying lipservice to science, while making populist decisions which do nothing but undermine the health of the nation.