Today, Inspired by Fitness participated in the MS Walk.  We proudly raised $485 to support this incredible charity, our Stratford-Perth MS warriors and our very own Inspired members who inspire us with their daily fight againist MS.  We were also a proud sponsor of the event and had a blast pumping everyone up with the warm-up.

Stratford-Perth together has raised over $35,000 for the MS Society Canada.  Thank you so much to everyone for your generous donations, for joining the MS Walk and to the Stratford-Perth MS Society for hosting an incredible event.

Here's to building strong communities and giving back!

At Inspired by Fitness, we strongly believe in the power of partnership and know that great things are possible when people work together. Last week we hosted Inspired by Colour Week – a fun and unique way to celebrate health, fitness and life by lighting the studio up with colour. This week also provided us with the opportunity to raise funds for Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth.

With your generous donations, we were able to raise $610.55 for the Hospice! The funds will support palliative individuals, as well as their loved ones, through their end-of-life journeys.
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We are so grateful to be surrounded by such giving community members and are honoured to support such a meaningful cause.

Thanks for a fantastic week and for making a difference in someone’s life!

​The Ontario government has announced that as of March 21st mask requirements will be lifted in most public settings (including gyms).  Therefore, the choice to wear a mask after that date will be a personal one.  We kindly ask that our members be tolerant of others who still choose to wear face coverings.
 
To coincide with the end of the mandatory mask requirement, we will no longer require proof of full vaccination to enter the studio after March 21st.
 
It was also announced that the Ontario government will change COVID-19 isolation requirements.  The updated requirements can be found here.
 
We owe coming out on the other side of the pandemic to you, our loyal members.  Thank you for your support, your positivity and for sticking with us through this difficult time.

​At Inspired by Fitness, safety is our top priority.  We continue to follow all provincial regulations and public health measures regarding COVID-19 safety.  As the province gradually eases restrictions, we will monitor and reevaluate our studio operations to maintain the health and safety of our Inspired community.
 
While the Ontario government has announced plans to remove proof of vaccination requirements on March 1st, we have decided to keep the proof of vaccine mandate in place until at least April 1st.  This decision was not made lightly as we know everyone is keen to move forward; however, we feel this extension is in the best interest of our studio for the time being.  Our online operations will remain in place meaning that you can always join your favourite fitness class or training session from the comfort of your own home.
 
Inspired by Fitness will continue to adhere to strict health and safety protocols, including masking standards, physical distancing, limited capacity and enhanced cleaning protocols.

​We are very happy and excited to announce our re-opening on Monday, January 31st in accordance with the latest government announcement.  (Please note the studio will remain closed for the remainder of this week and all of next week with online services only.)  We look forward to welcoming you back to in-person services at the studio starting on the 31st!
 
Keeping you safe and healthy is our number one priority.  After all, as members, you come to Inspired by Fitness to maintain and improve your physical and mental well-being in a safe, healthy and supportive environment.  That’s why we will continue to follow government advice and carry out our enhanced safety measures.  Everyone has a part to play in keeping our studio safe, and we are asking our members to continue to be vigilant.
 
CONTINUATION OF HYBRID MODEL FOR FITNESS CLASSES
Whether you decide to come back to the studio or prefer working out at home for now, we understand.  We will continue with our hybrid model offering our fitness classes both In-Studio and Virtual (online participation alongside in-person instruction).
 
In-Studio
Do you desire the sense of community and team that in-studio group fitness classes offer?  Make sure to follow the guidelines below.  In-studio classes are available to members and pass holders.

• Signing up for in-studio classes via WellnessLiving is mandatory.  Class size will be limited to 8-9 in-person participants per class; therefore, it is imperative that you sign-up for your desired classes on WellnessLiving at least one hour before the start of class – this will give our team the time to set up classes properly.  If you do not sign up for a class and the class is full with registered participants, you will not be able to participate in-person; however, you will still be able to join virtually.
• Cancel in-studio classes if you cannot make it via WellnessLiving.  To allow as many members as possible to attend a class in-studio, we will be strictly enforcing our cancellation policy – you must cancel your class two hours prior to the beginning of class; otherwise, you will be charged a $10.00 fee.
• Drop-ins will be limited.  We love to welcome new participants to the studio; however, we ask that if you are planning to drop into a class (ie., with the Inspired ACCESS class pass), you let us know before you come so that you will be registered.

 
Virtual
Do you favour the convenience and perceived safety of a virtual offering?  We are pleased to continue to offer our amazing fitness classes virtually.  Virtual classes are available only to members.

• Our full fitness class schedule will be offered virtually through our private, members-only Facebook group (by following the exact format that was presented during lockdown).
• Daily reminders for the class schedule will be posted on our public Inspired by Fitness Facebook page, so make sure to follow our page to stay up-to-date.
• If you are joining virtually, you do not need to sign up on WellnessLiving.  Just join us live at the scheduled date/time for your favourite fitness class.
• All classes will be archived for one week, with the exception of Zumba, Spin and Bounce.

 
PROOF OF VACCINATION REQUIRED
Inspired members will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) and provide proof of vaccination along with photo ID (ie., driver’s license, health card or passport) to participate in in-person fitness classes and training sessions at the studio.
 

• We kindly ask that you bring your proof of vaccination and photo ID every time you come to the studio.  Inspired staff will visually verify the documents before entry into the studio and will add you to a manual tracking system.  While you will not have to show your proof of vaccination and photo ID after you have been added to our manual tracking system, we feel it is important for everyone entering the studio to always have this information readily available in the event of by-law enforcement. 
• Please note individuals who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical exemptions will be permitted entry with a doctor’s note and photo ID until recognized medical exemptions can be integrated as part of a digital vaccine certificate.  This information will be added to our manual tracking system; however, your doctor’s note and photo ID would need to be brought every time you come to the studio.
• Please also note that proof of a negative COVID-19 test or a recent infection will not replace the vaccine certificates.

 
OUR ENHANCED SAFETY MEASURES
We are continuously reviewing government guidance and want to ensure your experience at the studio is safe and positive; therefore, we will continue to strictly follow these measures:
 

• Sanitized equipment and surfaces.  In all areas, our team will continue to ensure equipment and surfaces are sanitized to our heightened deep cleaning and disinfecting standards.
• Face coverings.  Masks are required while in common areas of the building and studio.  This includes building and studio entry/exit points, hallways, washroom, change room, office, classroom and training room (while classes/sessions are not running).  Temporary removal of masks and face coverings is permitted only while actively engaging in your fitness class or training session.  Amid the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, experts stress the use of N95 masks or cloth masks over 3-ply surgical masks (double masking).
• Physical distancing.  Our staff will work to get members into the studio, while maintaining physical distancing practices.  Members are asked to enter through the front door of the building and go through the hall to the back door of the studio for entry.  To help, ground markers will indicate a safe distance throughout the hall of the building where we will require all members to wait before their class starts.  The front door of the studio will remain closed and locked at all times and no entry through that door will be permitted.
• Limit on class sizes.  We are following guidance on maximum capacity for our studio space, so our fitness classes will remain smaller in size.  It is important that you register for in-person classes on WellnessLiving to ensure your space in class.
• Assigned workout spaces during classes.  We have marked our classroom floor with physically distanced squares and staff will direct you to your workout space.  We ask that you remain in your square before and during your class.  Equipment needed for the class will be placed in each square by staff.
• Clean your equipment and mats.  We would appreciate your continued help with wiping down your equipment/mats once you have used it.  You will find sanitizing spray and towels in your assigned workout space for you to use.
• Self-screening upon entry.  All members must self-screen before entering the studio.  Do not enter if: (1) you are experiencing symptoms (please review the sign in the building hallway or back door of the studio); or (2) you have travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days; or (3) you have had close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19.
• Sanitize your hands.  Everyone entering the studio is required to sanitize their hands.  Hand sanitizer located at the back door of the studio and at various convenient locations throughout the studio.
• Check-in.  Please plan to arrive at least five minutes before your class begins.  We will not allow entry beyond the start of class.
• Personal items.  We highly suggest bringing only the necessities to class.  You will be allowed to store your items in the studio during your class; however, no personal items will be allowed to stay in the studio after you leave.  The coat hooks in the front hall of the studio will not be available for use.
• Emergency change room use only.  We strongly urge you to come to class ready for your workout.  Change room use will be permitted as long as physical distancing practices can be maintained.
• Late entries.  Once the studio door closes and class starts, we will not be able to let any members in.  Classes will always start promptly at the designated time.
• Staff hospitality and safety.  The Inspired Team is here to help, from a safe distance.  We have put a protocol in place that limits staff from closely interacting with members before, during and after class.  When absolutely necessary, staff will (safely) assist members with equipment requirements but will only do so wearing a mask.

 
TO OUR INSPIRED COMMUNITY
During these difficult times, we would like to take a moment to thank our Inspired community for your continued support.  The past two years have been challenging for all of us, and we could not have made it through without our members, clients and supportive staff.  You are at the heart of our small business, and for that, we thank you.  We are here for you because you have been here for us!

​In response to the Ontario government’s announcement today regarding an alarming increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, Ontario will move back into a modified version of Step 2 of the Roadmap to Reopen effective Wednesday, January 5th at 12:01 am for at least 21 days (until January 26th).  This timeline is subject to trends in public health and health system indicators.
 
As a result, Inspired by Fitness will be CLOSED IMMEDIATELY to all in-studio services (ie., fitness classes, training sessions, appointments, workshops, etc.) during this time.  We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will advise when we will be able to resume in-studio operations as soon as we are able to.
 
Below are updates to our plans for the lockdown…
 
Fitness Classes to be Offered ONLINE

• Our current hybrid model for fitness classes will revert to online classes only.  Our full fitness class schedule will remain as scheduled, and these classes will be offered virtually through our private, members-only Facebook group.  Online classes are available only to members.
• Join us live at the scheduled date/time for your favourite fitness classes.  Since these classes will run online, there is no limit to the number of attendees, nor do you need to sign up on WellnessLiving.
• To view our class schedule, please follow this link.

 
Memberships/Passes

• Inspired Members – Your membership fees will continue as usual since our full class schedule will be available to you online.
• Inspired FRIEND Pass Holders – Unfortunately, we will not be able to have you join our online live classes; therefore, the expiry date on your current class pass will be extended until we are able to reopen.
• Inspired EXPRESS 10-Day Class Pass – If you are new to Inspired by Fitness and would like to join our fitness classes with our offer of $10 for 10 days, we would love to welcome you virtually during the lockdown.  Please visit this link for this offer.
• Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.  And remember, you can always visit your WellnessLiving profile to check up on your account, past payment history, etc.

 
Personal/Group Training

• Our personal/group training clients will be given the option to work out with their trainer via online training.
• You will be contacted directly to set these appointments up with your trainer.

 
Upcoming Workshops/Programs/Clinics/Events

• Couch To Confident – This program is scheduled to start on Monday, January 24th.  If you have signed up as an Online Participant, you will not be impacted.  If you have signed up as an In-Studio Member or In-Studio Non-Member, your access to fitness classes will be virtual only until we are able to reopen (ie., Non-Members will be added to our private, members-only Facebook group).
• Perfect Your Form Challenge – This online challenge will run, as scheduled, from January 17th to January 21st.
• Advanced Weight Training – This workshop is scheduled to start on Friday, February 11th.  We hope to be able to start this workshop without issue on this date.
• Nordic Walking Clinic – This clinic is scheduled to start on Saturday, February 19th.  We hope to be able to start this clinic without issue on this date.

 
Amidst the confusion and frustration of returning to lockdown, a self-care plan can help you focus, make decisions and stay healthy.  We are here to support you, albeit virtually, to help you get through this challenging time.  Take good care and see you online!