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The problem with constraints is that they work with a clean slate logic, rather than treating each case individually. By the same logic that a small bar without space to place its customers at a reasonable distance has no margin to open – and has plenty of arguments to ask for compensation – a training center like Human Perform, With a maximum of 23 people in a space of 800 square meters, it met the most demanding sanitary requirement to keep going. It was not like that: banned interiors, without discussion. That was the argument of the Castilla and leon meeting Until Monday, he separated the hotel and sports industry and emphasized the benefits of the latter to face the consequences of the pandemic. It has taken almost a year, but the sector has won the pulse of common sense. “We are already considered an element of health. And the moment they consider you essential, you are untouchable “, underlines the head of the center, Pablo Sanz.
On the street Guadarrama, in front of the police station Policía Local, Human Perform work normally today. It is a center with health uses and has been operating during the last closure, which allowed exercise in closed spaces under the supervision of health personnel and with the prescription of a physician. To do this, he required graduates in Physical Activity Sciences and the Sport or sanitary; in this case, physiotherapists. Thus, they were able to serve between 25% or 30% of their total clients. They had in FOR HIM half of its workforce and three workers in operation.
This is the group that needs the most protection. Sanz talk about “Devastating effects” for neurological patients, with harsh rehabilitations such as stroke. “They need constant stimulation; it is a key tool to improve the quality of life. This person does not have to go to the Tokyo Olympics; she has to get up on her own, change, and go get bread. Many people, unfortunately, are at this point ”. For these cases, the context has been very harsh. “There have been cases that had a high degree of independence that have stagnated or, directly, have worsened by being at home without movement or stimulation.”
To this is added people with pathologies or who were recovering from an injury. Or that he had a scheduled surgery – especially knees and back – and has seen it canceled. Also routines to control weight or metabolic distortions of the endocrine system. Human has cancer patients who have seen their interventions postponed.
The exceptions included professional athletes who competed at the national level such as; for example, players of the Segovian Gymnastics or triathletes. Still, there were inconsistencies. “It is absurd that opponents could not come to the center while there were open opposition processes.” With this sector, they have marked scheduled training in the open air, with the coach present, in places such as the Alameda del Parral, Carrascalejo O The Sotillo.
With regard to regulatory protection, Sanz highlights the work of all gyms and centers in the province, but asks to differentiate the essential from the accessory. “Going to a spinning class should not be considered essential, but that you train, have an individualized guideline and supervise you. The physical exercise is supervised by qualified personnel ”.
“It seems that the hotel industry is the only sector touched in Segovia, but colleagues have needed help”
Like the bulk of centers, Human talks about losses and what “painful” resulting in sending workers to FOR HIM. “It seems that the hotel industry is the only sector touched in Segovia, but colleagues with gyms, sports centers or paddle tennis courts need help”. Its facilities are more a ship than a local. In its circumstance, the center meets the conditions to continue operating without the need for public aid; from the number of clients so that the company is profitable to an individual training format that is conducive to avoiding contagion, passing through high ceilings and great ventilation. The truth is that in a detailed analysis it would have been difficult to argue its closure. “Just as there are hotels and restaurants, not all models are the same. Large restaurants with ventilation systems must be able to open; you have to supervise them and they don’t need help ”.
The Bekdoosan Gym it is a neighborhood business; a few meters from the plaza de San Lorenzo, on the street Santa Catalina, its owner, Eutimio García, welcomes the change in criteria of the Council. “We are very happy that, although it was late, they see that physical exercise helps to better cope with the pandemic if you contract Covid. Luckily they have realized that we are an essential activity”. And it sums up the uncertainty of these months of unexpected closure. “We have held out as best we could. You have some savings and you are pulling them, but obviously there have been losses ”.
To the economic problems is added the investment to face the pandemic. “We have spent a fortune in conditioning it”. The gym is registered in an application, which has a monthly cost, so that its members can book an appointment and classes, since the center has a capacity of 30%. In addition to the mandatory mask, there is a towel for the machines; once each exercise is finished, the user disinfects the equipment with wipes. The sauna is not open and the locker room has limited capacity; only one out of every two showers are operational.
“Making a customer is difficult and losing it is very easy. They have closed us in the worst months, they have crushed us “
The expense account grows from the app itself, the rolls of paper in each room or the hydroalcoholic gels or wipes. “There are people who seem to eat the reels of paper”. After a year of moratorium on mortgages, since April they have paid it again. “We have been breathing slowly and that’s it. The mutual returns the self-employed payment, but with VAT, IBI… you don’t get there ”.
Bekdosan is a family business with Eutimio, his wife, his son, two self-employed monitors and two others who have not even been terminated. “By being open at least we save expenses and there is some benefit. But when you are closed, you are closed. There is zero income ”.
Added to the complicated situation is uncertainty. “Making a customer is very difficult and losing it is very easy. If they slow you down, they slow you down … Until people go back to doing the routine and you start working again with the same portfolio of clients you had before, because it costs. There are still activities that I have lazy “. He talks about taekwondo, his strength – he has been competing with his club for years – crossfit or dance as more stationary classes. Meanwhile, spinning or the weight room are working better.
The calendar has been the worst possible. “The best months have closed for us. They have crushed us. That they let me open in the summer is useless … it is a time when I open to cover expenses “. Euthymius also regrets the moment. “They closed us in the first week of the month. Worse, they couldn’t manage it; I believe that these politicians have not had a business in their life “. And ask for better communication because customers were already talking last week about another closure. “They go blind and that confuses people.”
Talk about the uncertainty and the emotional cost. “Freelancers, we are accelerated all the time … You were at home and you were climbing the walls. Sometimes the psychological is more important than the physical “. From the need of children to “Channel all your energy” through activities like taekwondo. “If you are strong, you will take any pathology better”. He and his family have passed the virus without major problems. His wife overcame breast cancer while teaching; He even went to give talks to people with cancer treatment to explain the benefits of practicing sports against the disease.
After months of demands and battles against closures, in provinces such as Burgos they ended the courts, the counselor of Health, Verónica Casado, He acknowledged on Monday that yes, sport is health. That scientific studies in recent months validate common sense. To the Covid he is defeated by drawing muscle.
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