Anytime Fitness Franchise Owners Across Canada Call on Provincial Leaders to “Tell Us What It Will Take” to Safely Reopen Health Club Industry

Letters sent to a number of provinces invite leaders to work with owners to set safety, sanitation protocols that get health clubs reopened in a safe manner

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, owners of independently-operated Anytime Fitness locations across Canada are sending letters to provincial leaders and health officials in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec – where health clubs remain closed – inviting them to work together with the health club industry to establish province-approved safety and sanitation protocols that permit these essential businesses to reopen. Anytime Fitness, with more than 200 locations across Canada, provides health and wellness services to more than 100,000 Canadians and is one of the country’s largest health club brands.

“We appreciate the difficult challenges the provinces have faced when deciding whether certain industries must close or remain open,” said Stacy Anderson, president, Anytime Fitness. “However, the continued closure of gyms due to COVID-19 is an obstacle to Canadians’ ability to maintain physical and mental health. The data is clear that health clubs and fitness centers – which, unlike restaurants and retail locations, are membership-based, controlled environments not open to the general public – are safe when safety and sanitation protocols are followed.

“In fact, we know that the Anytime Fitness locations currently open across Canada — such as in British Columbia – have shown that following safety and sanitation protocols neutralizes the risk of infection in their facilities while continuing to allow them to provide essential exercise and wellness services for their members.

“Both the Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) and the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) have issued industry-approved safety and sanitation protocols in response to the pandemic. Anytime Fitness has adapted these standards worldwide for our locations, working together with government leaders to adapt them to local requirements. So we know there are safety and sanitation protocols that work.

“So we join our Canada franchise owners in respectfully urging provincial leaders where health clubs are closed to work together with us to safely get back open as soon as possible. Come to the table and tell us what it will take.”

About Anytime Fitness

Anytime Fitness is the fastest-growing gym franchise in the world, averaging 300 new gyms per year while serving 4.2 million members at more than 4,800 gyms and is the only franchise of any kind to have locations on all seven continents. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Anytime Fitness prides itself on providing its members with convenient fitness options and friendly, personal service in well-maintained facilities that feature top-quality exercise equipment. Anytime Fitness gyms are now open in 32 countries. All franchised gyms are individually owned and operated and features the “Anywhere Access” policy which allows members access to any Anytime Fitness gym worldwide. For more information, visit www.anytimefitness.com.

About Self Esteem Brands

Our purpose is to improve the self-esteem of the world. Self Esteem Brands (SEB) is the parent company of Anytime Fitness (the world’s largest fitness franchise), Basecamp Fitness, The Bar Method and Waxing the City. Combined, most of our more than 5,000 franchise locations are locally operated across 32 countries worldwide by independent, small business owners. SEB is also the parent company to affiliates Provision Security Solutions and Healthy Contributions. Leading with a culture anchored in the values of people, purpose, performance and play, plus a charitable focus through the HeartFirst Foundation®, SEB seeks to enrich the lives of all who interact with our brands and businesses. Our vision is a world of self-esteem for every human to rise from their challenges. For more information on Self Esteem Brands, please visit https://www.sebrands.com/.