Massachusetts Independent Fitness Operators

02/04/2021

01/26/2021

Boston, Massachusetts, January 26, 2021 — Today, Boston Mayor, Marty Walsh announced that beginning on February 1, 2021, Fitness Centers and Health Clubs in Boston can reopen at 25%. While operating at a reduced capacity is still stinging many gym owners, those in Boston who have been closed, are welcoming the announcement.

Frank Nash, President of MIFO says, “The data coming from the Commonwealth, clearly demonstrates that Mass gyms are safe. The reported cases between December 20-January 16 were Zero. Zero confirmed cases, zero clusters, zero contacts. What we are logistically able to do for our members in terms of safety inside our facilities clearly works. New ventilation systems, state-of-the-art cleaning methods, scheduling procedures, all successfully making their facilities safer than your own homes.”

There are over 40,000 health club employees in Massachusetts counting on a return to full time work.
MIFO is comprised of Fitness Center and Studio owners, operators, and industry vendors from across the Commonwealth and generate $652 million in annual revenue for Massachusetts. Working alongside the Baker Administration since early summer, the industry’s leadership and preparedness has resulted in consistently low positivity rates. MIFO will continue to use a collective voice to encourage state and local officials to look to the data which demonstrates that health clubs remain safe environments. To donate to the fight for local fitness operators, visit www.themifo.org and hit the Donate Button.

About MIFO
MIFO, the Massachusetts Independent Fitness Operators association, is a non-profit, non-corporate and non-compromised, network of health clubs. Formed in the face of unique challenges, MIFO advocates on behalf of the health and fitness industry, uniting operators and strengthening a collective political voice to improve legislation that advances education and promotion of the fitness industry.
For more information on the Massachusetts Independent Fitness Operators, visit www.theMIFO.org.

01/07/2021

Massachusetts, January 7, 2021 — Today, Governor Charlie Baker announced that the current
restrictions for Fitness Centers and Health Clubs to operate at only 25%, will be extended for another
three weeks until January 24, 2021.

There are over 40,000 health club employees in Massachusetts counting on a return to full time work.
Throughout local cities and towns, doors are closing at many independently owned facilities and it is
heartbreaking to watch. Following today’s announcement by the Baker Administration, MIFO
President, Frank Nash, is not sure that all their members can hang on for another three weeks. “At
some point, some of these businesses are going to run out of time. Particularly difficult because many
of these owners have just invested thousands of dollars into advanced safety and facility
infrastructure upgrades. New ventilation systems, state-of-the-art cleaning methods, scheduling
procedures, all successfully making their facilities safer than your own homes. To see the data
overlooked again is frustrating and we are doing everything that we can to bring it to light.”

Since reopening in July 2020, MIFO members and all independent fitness operators in
Massachusetts, have adhered to the highest level of safety and health protocols. As a result, of the

more than 1.3 million recorded visits to fitness organizations, the self-reported positivity rate is only000034%.

MIFO is comprised of Fitness Center and Studio owners, operators, and industry vendors from across
the Commonwealth and generate $652 million in annual revenue for Massachusetts. Working
alongside the Baker Administration since early summer, the industry’s leadership and preparedness
has resulted in consistently low positivity rates. MIFO will continue to use a collective voice to
encourage state and local officials to look to the data which demonstrates that health clubs remain
safe environments. To donate to the fight for local fitness operators, visit www.themifo.org and hit the
Donate Button.

About MIFO
MIFO, the Massachusetts Independent Fitness Operators association, is a non-profit, non-corporate
and non-compromised, network of health clubs. Formed in the face of unique challenges, MIFO
advocates on behalf of the health and fitness industry, uniting operators and strengthening a
collective political voice to improve legislation that advances education and promotion of the fitness
industry.
For more information on the Massachusetts Independent Fitness Operators, visit www.theMIFO.org.

01/06/2021

Fitness Industry Being Slammed in the Recreational Category.

Boston Extends Gym Restrictions For 3 More Weeks
Boston, MA, January 5, 2021 — Today, Mayor Marty Walsh announced Tuesday (January 5) the city
of Boston will be extending restrictions on several facilities for another three weeks amid the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic.

The restrictions were initially scheduled to expire on Wednesday, January 6,
before Mayor Walsh announced the extension on Tuesday during a press conference

Mayor Walsh said gyms, museums, movie theaters and other businesses will continue to be restricted
until January 27

MIFO is comprised of Fitness Center and Studio owners, operators, and industry vendors from across
the Commonwealth who believe that their data clearly illustrates an untouchable safety record.
MIFO
President Frank Nash says “We are lumped into a category with industries that can’t do what we do
for prevention. They cannot contact trace like us, they cannot clean and ventilate like us. They cannot
control distancing like we can in our gyms and studios. It is for that very reason our numbers are so
low.”

MIFO is working hard with Governor Baker’s Administration and cities across the Commonwealth to maintain some level of operation that is survivable for these business owners.

Many cities have
recently reversed course on shutting their gyms down, including Arlington, MA just this week.

About MIFO
MIFO, the Massachusetts Independent Fitness Operators association, is a non-profit, non-corporate
and non-compromised, network of health clubs. Formed in the face of unique challenges, MIFO
advocates on behalf of the health and fitness industry, uniting operators and strengthening a
collective political voice to improve legislation that advances education and promotion of the fitness
industry.

For more information on the Massachusetts Independent Fitness Operators, visit www.theMIFO.org.

01/04/2021

“ Listen in on today’s radio appearance with Hank Stoltz on Radio Worcester’s and SHARE! Frank Nash and Howard Stempler legal counsel from talk about the data and the success that the fitness industry has in preventing issues at their gyms. A great podcast to share with your members to aid in spreading the message we are trying to get out there, so SHARE!”

https://bit.ly/3rRdT5K

12/29/2020

TELEGRAM & GAZETTE: WORCESTER AREA GYMS SWEATING GOVERNOR’S COVID-19 ROLLBACKS
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https://www.telegram.com/story/news/2020/12/29/worcester-area-gyms-sweating-governors-rollback-of-capacity-limits/4055337001/?fbclid=IwAR2jZqdHSc3s-fVQMth2eIAO94XbuBjhzU175z4Ee6PxoWL-40YPdB7m3xw

Worcester area gyms sweating governor’s COVID-19 rollbacks

12/27/2020

Check out Mike Boyle talk about “this seems like reverse of what we should be doing.”

12/26/2020

Mike Boyle and Bob Hanson from Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning and MIFO talking Mass. gym closers and roll backs.

Chanel 5 at 7pm and 11pm tonight 12/26

12/23/2020

PRESS RELEASE

Worcester, MA, December 22, 2020

Today, the Baker Administration announced new gathering guidance for Massachusetts in the fight against the spread of C0vid

Capacity limits will decrease to 25% for most industries, including the Fitness Industry that MIFO represents.

This rollback will begin on Saturday, December 26, 2020 and is expected to last two weeks.

MIFO’s legislative team successfully fought to prevent the closure of fitness facilities today, citing the industry’s rigid safety measures resulting in a less than .000034% positivity rate in over 1.3 million check-ins.

Though they were successful in lobbying for a capacity reduction and not a complete shutdown, this new capacity decrease is just another blow to an industry that is watching its owners struggling to survive.

“These setbacks are crushing.

Our industry has collectively spent hundreds of thousands of dollars outfitting studios with ventilation equipment, social distancing measures, employing robust cleaning procedures, and instituting contact tracing and its working! Look at the data.”, Frank Nash, President of Massachusetts Fitness Operations association said, following Governor Baker’s announcement.

Prior to fitness locations reopening in July, the MIFO executive team met with the Governor’s C0VID Task Force, including Lt. Governor Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, to discuss MIFO’s reopening plan and to introduce MIFO’s sophisticated C0VID-19 health protocols and procedures.

As a result of this leadership and industry preparedness, the positivity rate remains low and the data demonstrates that health clubs remain safe environments.

MIFO is comprised of Fitness Center and Studio owners, operators, and industry vendors from across the Commonwealth.

About MIFO

MIFO, the Massachusetts Independent Fitness Operators association, is a non-profit, non-corporate and non-compromised, network of health clubs.

Formed in the face of unique challenges, MIFO advocates on behalf of the health and fitness industry, uniting operators and strengthening a collective political voice to improve legislation that advances education and promotion of the fitness industry.

For more information on the Massachusetts Independent Fitness Operators, visit www.the MIFO.org.

12/22/2020

https://youtu.be/RVlhkXYM_bA

New York’s Governor Cuomo says gyms are one of the lowest known spreaders. New Jersey’s Governor Murphy says health club operators are overwhelmingly respons...

12/20/2020

Please consider supporting Boston gyms and taking a few moments to sign this petition. Also please call your local state reps and your mayor to express your feelings.
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http://chng.it/hzx7XcH6JG

12/17/2020

Are Massachusetts Health clubs safe?
Should they stay open?
Should the health clubs in Boston reopen-yesterday?
According to our own states numbers. The answer is YES.