The Role of Community Fitness During the Global Pandemic
Like many of you, the year 2020 caught me completely by surprise. It only took a few short months to completely change our lives and the way our communities operate. One of the first major news stories connected with the pandemic was the associated Comorbidities. We were learning that this virus is significantly more dangerous for those who are overweight and suffering from conditions such as diabetes.
Beyond health concerns were concerns for the mental health of our communities. For many, the lockdowns served to amplify the existing struggles with depression, anxiety, and more. It’s difficult to imagine what this meant for children and teens who found all of their activities cancelled and banned for close to a year.
This led me to thinking about the role fitness facilities play in community health. On one hand, these events and facilities could pose a risk of community infection. On the other hand, closing these down could increase health risks for the entire community.
“As we endeavor to keep our communities as safe as possible during this pandemic, we must not neglect the importance of remaining physically active. For many of us, the lockdown restrictions brought about a more docile and isolated lifestyle. This poses significant risks not just to our physical health, but also our mental health.”
Innovating Our Approach to Community Health
As I mentioned in my Press Release regarding local fitness facilities, it is a catch-22 situation. While we are optimistic the worst is behind us, there is still the possibility of a new variant of the virus or future epidemics. I believe now is the time for leaders in our community along with public health officials to take a look at the role of fitness to community health and how we might find innovative ways to promote fitness in a safe environment in the future.
For children, remaining active can be a challenge in our ever expanding technological world. For adults, many struggle to develop and maintain their physical fitness. For both groups, it is easy to fall out of step with healthy habits and put our health at risk long term.
The questions remain, what is the safest way to keep fit during a pandemic? How can fitness facilities protect the health of our communities? Is there a way to minimize risks and still give people the opportunity to maintain their health?
I certainly hope we can take this time to find answers. It may take a decade to fully understand the impacts of the lockdown both short term and long term, but I remain convinced we need a better solution for our health.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Corey Christanell is a St. Louis native entrepreneur. He is the owner of the St. Louis Training Ground, an indoor sporting facility.
