New Colorado Study Claims No Link Between Gym Attendance & COVID Infections

Colorado gyms and health clubs are responsible for zero outbreaks of COVID-19 according to a new study that analyzed statistics from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

Researchers at the University of Oregon were commissioned by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association to analyze how gym attendance has affected COVID-19 infection rates.

In October the association reported that its data claimed an infection rate in U.S. gyms of 1,155 cases out of 49.4 million gym check-ins.

They then asked the Oregon Consulting Group from the University of Oregon's college of business to conduct an independent study. The researchers chose Colorado to study and analyzed data provided by the CDPHE.

The study was based on statistics through November 18, covering 32 weeks of Colorado gym attendance data. Out of 8.5 million check-ins, researchers say they found no link to 59 outbreaks reported by the CDPHE.

The data suggest that gyms are safer than restaurants, bars, and grocery stores.

Now the industry is looking to reopen despite new state-wide restrictions. The Colorado Fitness Coalition was created in August to represent the industry.

Colorado gyms plan on utilizing the state's Five Star certification program to operate at a higher capacity despite a county's COVID-19 dial level.

"We don't want to harm any industry, we just want people to know we are safe," said JoAnna Masloski, a member of the coalition's advisory board. "We are a controlled environment. It's now proven that is the case. We need to get our capacity increased."

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