COVID updates – We’re OPEN!

Dear Womens Fitness Community,

We are all very excited to welcome you back this Friday for indoor workouts and next Monday for workouts and classes. Now that we know that we can reopen at 50% capacity we can share our reopening plans.

CHANGEROOMS, SHOWERS, AND LOCKERS

All changerooms, showers and lockers will be open and ready to use on Friday. To maintain adequate distancing every other shower and locker will be available leaving a gap between users.  The sauna will reopen at a later date.

BOOKING GYM TIME

Our gyms are spacious and can accommodate more than the 50% capacity limits set by the government. We would prefer not to require advance reservations for general workout time unless necessary. Given the time of year and coming off of a lockdown we feel confident we do not require advance reservation to accommodate our Members. We will monitor usage closely and if things change we will adjust accordingly.

We do ask that you limit your time at the club to 90 minutes or less during busier times.

SPACING

Please maintain two meters of distance from all other users while you are at the club. We have facilitated this by reducing the cardio equipment to every other machine and have provided designated user locations in the weight area.

CLASS RESERVATIONS

We are hoping to have our class schedules up and ready to reserve times by Friday. Classes will begin on Monday July 19^th. Limits will be capped at 20-25 for the larger rooms and 10-15 for the smaller rooms depending on the size of the room at your club. Please note that Hot Yoga will reopen at a later date.

If you need help with your user id, password or the Member portal please email us at yourfriends@womensfitnessclubs.com

VIRTUAL CLASSES

We plan to keep offering virtual classes as part of our programming for the foreseeable future. Many Members find it a convenient way to stay fit and connected to us when they are not able to attend in person.

VACCINATIONS

Although we have encouraged all of our employees to protect themselves and get vaccinated, legally we cannot force our staff and members to be vaccinated. We will be continuing to screen our staff prior to each shift, ask staff and members screening questions, ensure that masks are worn while walking throughout the club until members are at their workout stations. We take health and safety seriously. And we will continue to ensure that everyone has a safe space to workout. Your health is our top priority.

DOWNLOAD OUR APP

We encourage you to download our WFCC App.  The WFCC app is ideal for receiving information, finding your favourite class, making advance reservations or easy check-in for your next workout.

Learn how to reserve your class here.

Thank you for your help and support over the past year and half. We felt the love and support of our wonderful Members. We are happy to welcome you back to a new and better experience.

Yours in good health,
Womens Fitness Clubs of Canada

Dear Members,

The Ontario Government announced that the Province of Ontario will be moved to the grey ‘Lockdown’ level of the provincial COVID-19 Response Framework. As you may know, this level of the framework requires that recreational fitness facilities temporarily close.

Due to these restrictions, all 5 of our Womens Fitness Clubs of Canada locations are temporarily closed.

All active memberships are automatically moved to our Online COVID-19 Hold option for $8.95 biweekly. We will notify you once restrictions have been lifted, and then you will be returned to your normal status and membership plan.

We will continue to offer virtual classes to ensure you stay mentally and physically active. Lets maintain fitness goals together!!!
We have so many LIVE classes for you to choose from! You can also select a workout from our library and exercise whenever you can!

Personal Training clients are encouraged to ask their Personal Trainer or Personal Training Director about their options for continuing their sessions remotely with our new virtual training platform, LIFT. No changes to Personal Training packages are required to participate in Remote Sessions.  Coaches can now demonstrate movements with video, drop on screen virtual equipment in your home, provide on screen corrections with tools, count your calories burned and even take pictures to show your progression.

If you wish to make changes to your membership agreement, or do not wish to temporarily enrol in our Online Covid-19 Hold Option, please send an email to yourfriends@womensfitnessclubs.com. Please include your home club, membership # and contact information.

If you do not yet have access to our online classes, please email:
onlineclasses@womensfitnessclubs.com to request login information. An email invitation with login information and step-by-step instructions will be sent to you within 48 hours

Note:  Pre-paid-in-full memberships will have extended time credited accordingly.

Stay safe and we'll see you again soon.

Yours in good health,

Womens Fitness Clubs of Canada

Dear Valued Member,

As of today, our clubs are open with modified hour and services:

Burlington, Ajax, Pickering Locations - Clubs are open for gym and class workouts. Advanced booking required. 10 people limit.

Richmond Hill and Promenade Locations - Clubs open Monday for Gym workout only. Advanced booking required. 10 people limit. Monday, March 1st class workouts will be offered.

To view classes and class schedules, please click here.

To sign up for classes, please click here.

Dear Valued Member,

The Ontario Government announced today that as of Saturday, December 26, at 12:01 am, the Province of Ontario will be moved to the grey ‘Lockdown’ level of the provincial COVID-19 Response Framework. As you may know, this level of the framework requires that recreational fitness facilities temporarily close.

Due to these restrictions, Womens Fitness Clubs of Canada in Richmond Hill, Ajax, Pickering, Promenade, and Burlington will be temporarily closed, effective the end of business day Thursday, December 24.

Although we have done everything in our power to ensure the safest and most comfortable in-club experience for our incredible community and team we regret to inform you that all future bookings at these Clubs will be cancelled. We will inform Members when bookings become available again.

Please Note: If you have any personal belongings at these Clubs, we ask that you please pick these belongings up from your Club by the end of business day Thursday, December 24.

We understand that you likely have several questions about how we are navigating this situation. We are handling the situation to the best of our ability as it develops, and will transparently provide updates and stay connected with you via email, our website , and social media channels (linked below). We kindly ask that you please review information regarding memberships and upcoming programming, all outlined for you below.

Membership Information

• As of December 25th, Membership payments for Members of WFCC automatically move to our Online COVID-19 Hold option for $8.95 biweekly until gyms in your region are approved to reopen
• If you wish to make changes to your membership agreement, and do not wish to temporarily enrol in our Online COVID-19 Hold option, you may change this at any time. Please note we require 48 hours’ notice prior to billing to execute any change
• To make changes to your membership, please email your home club directly. Please do not respond to this email
• If you do not yet have access to our online classes, please email onlineclasses@womensfitnessclubs.com to request login information. An email invitation with login information and step-by-step instructions will be sent to you within 48 hours
• Pre-paid-in-full memberships will have extended time credited accordingly

Supporting your physical and mental health

We know that exercise is extremely important to your physical and mental health, and, much like when we closed our Clubs in March, we will do everything we can to support our Members with a variety of daily digital at-home options during this temporary closure.

• NEW!! Introducing our new WFCC virtual personal training platform, LIFT. Check out a LIFT Session here.
• You’ll fall in love with this new, state of the art, virtual gym! Coaches can now demonstrate movements with video, drop on screen virtual equipment in your home, provide on screen corrections with tools, count your calories burned and even take pictures to show your progression.
• NEW! Don’t worry about ever missing a class!! Get 24/7 ACCESS TO VIRTUAL WFCC WORKOUTS (ONLINE ONLY MEMBERSHIP OPTION) Keep moving with your favourite WFCC instructors from home! Choose from 50+ on demand workouts in our Catalog, or join in class live — our online class schedule is linked here. Only $8.95 biweekly! Contact onlineclasses@womensfitnessclubs.com to get started.
• NEW! NUTRITION CLASSES. Learn how to eat savoury dishes that your entire family will love. All while staying lean. Nourish your body, and mind. Gain insights into eating well for a lifetime.
• PEDAL CLOSER TO YOUR FITNESS GOALS WITH OUR LIMITED CYCLE RENTAL & ONLINE CLASS ACCESS PACKAGE! All of the details, including how to apply, are available here.
• TRY WORKOUTS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR UNIQUE GOALS + BODY Get the expertise and one-on-one attention of a personal trainer from the comfort of your home! All WFCC locations are offering personal training over live video. Contact yourfriends@womensfitnessclubs.com for more details.
• SWEAT AS A COMMUNITY WITH US VIA INSTAGRAM Browse our IGTV Library archives for a FREE limited selection of our past lnstagram Live workouts. Be sure to leave a comment after your sweat session – we’d love to hear from you!
• #WEAREWFCC! CONNECT WITH OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA The strength of our community is not bound to our club walls – lets continue to keep each other motivated via social media! Share your at-home WFCC workouts by tagging us on Instagram @womensfitnessofficial and using the hashtags #WeAreWFCC and #WFCCFitnessJourney.
  Keep going — you never know who you may be inspiring!

We thank you for your continued patience as we navigate these unprecedented times. WFCC’s top priority remains the health and safety of our Members, Associates and communities. And, we will be back stronger than ever when this temporary closure is over.

Take care of yourself. Support one another

Yours in good health,
The Womens Fitness Clubs of Canada team

#WFCCAjax #WFCCPickering #WFCCBurlington #WFCCRichmondHill #WFCCPromenade #WeAreWFCC.

BEFORE YOU COME TO THE GYM

• Before visiting the gym, please self-assess how you are feeling. If you are feeling unwell, please do not enter the gym
• If you have travelled, been recently diagnosed with COVID-19, or have come in contact with someone who has tested positive, you are required to self-quarantine for 14 days before coming back into the gym
• Masks must be worn throughout the club, however they are not mandatory when you are working out. For more details please see the "PHYSICAL DISTANCING & MASKS" section of this guide
• We are encouraging all of our members to download the Womens Fitness Club Of Canada app and set up your barcode. This will minimize interactions with the receptionist on duty. To download the app, search "Womens Fitness Clubs of Canada" on your smartphone app store. Once you've downloaded the app to your device, enter your location's number + 0's before your membership #. Membership # must be a 6-digit code. Insert 0's after your club # if needed. Location numbers: Promenade 1 | Ajax 2 | Pickering 3 | Burlington 4 | Richmond Hill 5
• If you plan to visit the gym, please bring your credit card, debit card, or payment information. No cash payments will be accepted at this time
• If you plan to take a group fitness class, you must register in advance at womensfitnessclubs.com to reserve your spot. For more details, please see the "GROUP FITNESS CLASSES" section of this guide below. Please note group fitness classes will resume on Monday, August 3rd
• Please note that if you exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 while at the gym, you will politely be asked to go home
• Before each visit, we recommend reviewing this entire guide, which will be updated regularly to align with new information from The Public Health Agency of Canada, for the most seamless experience possible

CHECK IN PROCESS

• Before entering, please be sure to review the signage with health & safety guidelines on the club windows and doors
• Masks must be worn when entering the club, however they are not mandatory when you are working out
• To minimize interactions with the receptionist on duty, please pull up the barcode on the Womens Fitness Clubs of Canada app to be scanned at the front desk for check in
• Touchless hand sanitizing stations will be available upon entry
• Reception staff will be required to work behind a protective plexiglass barrier
• Upon check in, you will be given your own personal bottle of EnviroNize® spray to use on any equipment and surfaces touched. This bottle is to be returned to reception before leaving to be disinfected
• We anticipate little to no delay in entering the clubs, but we do ask that your entire stay be kept to 60 minutes or less
• Masks and gloves will be available for purchase daily at the front desk. $2 for a pair of gloves and $1 for a mask. Please note cash payments will not be accepted at this time

• Staff to use disinfectants EnviroNize®, Virex II, Oxivir plus and Germilex GP proven to kill viruses like COVID-19, in all areas, including studios, gym floor, locker room, washrooms and reception area
• Staff will disinfect high touch surfaces such as doorknobs, handles, rails, light switches, sanitizing stations, lockers, bathrooms, sinks, toilets, benches, locker keys, bikes, weights, bars, the front desk, keyboards, computers, phones, and instructor equipment
• Staff will be required to wear gloves while cleaning, and always required to wear masks. After deep cleaning, staff will wash their hands before refreshing gloves and masks as needed
• Upon check in, you will be given your own personal bottle of EnviroNize® spray to use on any equipment and surfaces touched. This bottle is to be returned to reception before leaving, and will be disinfected for later use
• EnviroNize® spray will be used on all surfaces during our after-hours deep clean
• The entire gym will be misted with an EnviroNize® fogger three times per day
• Designated Disinfectant Specialists will disinfect studios after each class
• EnviroNize® disinfectant was selected as a non-toxic, all-natural disinfectant. Its green technology is tough on bacteria (killing 99.9%), but gentle on skin and safe for all surfaces. EnviroNize®  is approved by Health Canada, certified Pro-Cert & USDA Organic.

• Staff will be required to complete a health questionnaire before each shift
• Staff will be required to wear masks at all times
• Reception staff will be required to work behind a protective plexiglass barrier
• All staff will do their best to assist members while practicing social distancing
• If any staff member exhibits any symptoms of illness, they will be asked to stay home
• If any staff member has travelled, been recently diagnosed with COVID-19 or has come in contact with someone who has tested positive, they will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days

PHYSICAL  DISTANCING 

To ensure safe physical distancing is being practiced, the following changes will be made:

• Select cardio machines will have signs reading 'this machine is social distancing' to ensure recommended spacing is in place
• Large floor decals will identify space designated for members
• Every other locker will be blocked off
• Staff will do their best to assist members while practicing physical distancing
• We ask that members please maintain a 2 meter distance when interacting with fellow members and staff
• All group fitness classes will have a reduction in capacity and assigned personal space, indicated with large floor decals, to allow for physical distancing

MASKS

• Masks are to be worn throughout the club, however, they are not required while engaging in exercise
• We ask members to please carry their masks with them at all times so that they can be worn while entering and leaving the club, while walking to and waiting outside of studios, throughout locker rooms and washrooms. If you are not exercising, we ask that you please wear your mask
• Masks and gloves will be available for purchase at the front desk. Masks are $1, gloves $2. Cash payments will not be accepted at this time

• Group fitness classes resumed on Monday, August 3rd
• Online advance reservations for group fitness classes will be live on our Group Class webpage on Saturday, August 1st at 7:00 AM EST. You can advance reserve for a class as early as 48 hours in advance
• If you plan to take a group fitness class, you must register in advance at womensfitnessclubs.com to reserve your spot. If you have issues registering online, please do not hesitate to contact your home club via the phone and someone from the WFCC team will assist you
• All group fitness classes will have a reduction in capacity and assigned personal space, indicated with large floor decals, to allow for physical distancing
• As of Saturday, October 3rd, group fitness classes will be further reduced by 20% for your comfort!
• Cycle classes will have a third the usual bikes in the room to respect physical distancing protocols
• All doors will be left open to help decrease touch points and increase air circulation as well
• All class times will be cut to 45 minutes, to allow for 15 minutes to clean equipment at the end of class
• Please clean equipment before and after individual use using the provided disinfectant products
• If exercise equipment is required during a class, you will be assigned the equipment and it will remain in your personal space for the duration of the class
• Late members will not be allowed in once the studio door closes
• If you won't be able to attend a class you have signed up for, please cancel your booking so our members can participate in the class
• All studios will be thoroughly disinfected by a Disinfectant Specialist after class ends

• Trainers will be required to wear masks at all times
• Trainers will be required to practice physical distancing to the best of their abilities

• We will be removing access to the following amenities during our initial phase of re-opening: daycare, sauna, showers, razors, Q-tips, hair ties, complimentary locks
• We will be installing additional hand sanitizer stations throughout all of our facilities

To ensure the effectiveness of these changes, we all need to make sure we do our part. The safety and well-being of every member and our staff is paramount and no one person is above the rules. We ask all of our members to respect the new rules being put in place for your own consideration, as well as fellow members, the WFCC team, and the greater community. Look out for one another - keep each other accountable and safe!

• Please make sure to practice physical distancing and follow the markers placed around the gym
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please do not come to the gym
• If you have tested positive for COVID-19, or come into close contact with someone who has, we ask that you do not come to the gym for 14 days
• In the event that there is a reported case of COVID-19 at your location and you were potentially in contact with the individual, you will be notified immediately. We will take the proper safety precautions to thoroughly disinfect the facility.

ONLINE CLASSES & SOCIAL MEDIA

• We are continuing to look for ways to improve our at home offerings and will provide you with updates as soon as they are available
• We also recommend following us on Instagram @womensfitnessofficial for motivational fitness content, and staying connected with our community via the #WeAreWFCC hashtag

REOPENING 

Q: When are you going to reopen?

A: All Womens Fitness Clubs of Canada locations will reopen on Monday, July 27th.

Q: Will the online classes continue upon re-opening?

A: Absolutely! We have heard all of your great feedback, and are working hard to improve our online experiences, and create a WFCC virtual workout for members. Until then, we will continue to share free classes on IGTV @womensfitnessofficial and Zoom. For more information, please see our Online Fitness Class Schedule and Online Fitness Class Guide.

Q: Will you be implementing a capacity limit in the club?

A:  Yes, we plan to implement a limit on club capacity. We are mandated to have a maximum of 50 Members in each club at one time. Working off that maximum we will only be offering one Group Exercise class at a time with an approximate usage of 25. That leaves 25 other users to workout while a class is going on and double when there is no class.

We have ensured all the circuit equipment is 6 feet apart so when someone is one machine they have their own personal space. We have also designated ‘Personal Spaces’ throughout the free weight area where a members can do their exercises on benches or within their spot. All of our facilities range in size from 10, 000 to 15,000 and can easily accommodate 50 participants while offering 6 feet of personal space. If the club reaches that capacity we will be asking Members to wait outside the club until we can accommodate them. If this becomes a regular occurrence, we will begin advance reservation at those facilities. Based on pre-COVID numbers we don’t expect that to happen very often.

Q: Why is daycare unavailable?

A:  Although at this point children appear to be less likely to show symptoms of COVID-19, for the safety of our members, staff, and community, we have decided to close our babysitting areas until further direction from industry regulators and the government.

MEMBERSHIPS & PAYMENTS

Q: I prepaid for my membership. Will I be refunded for the time of the closure?

A: Prepaid memberships will have extended time applied accordingly.

Q: Can I cancel my membership now/when will I be able to cancel my membership? What about holds?

A:  Not yet! We are unable to process any changes to memberships until our reopening on Monday, July 27th. Membership payments will not resume until Tuesday, August 4th and Thursday, August 6th. Personal Training payments from March and April will not be processed until August. We will be able to assist you with any questions or requests you may have once we reopen!

Q: I am a member and have not received e-mails from Womens Fitness Clubs of Canada. How can I join the e-mail list?

A: We are happy to add you to our member e-mail list! To ensure you are signed up to receive WFCC e-mail communications, please e-mail Ilana at ivesterman@womensfitnessclubs.com with your full name, home club and preferred e-mail address.

ONLINE CLASSES

Q: How can I join in the online classes?

A: Joining in our free online classes only takes a few simple steps! We recommend reviewing our Online Fitness Class Guide with step-by-step instructions, linked here for you.

Q: Where can I find the online class schedule?

A: Our Online Fitness Class Schedule is linked here for you. We also keep it conveniently linked for you in our Instagram profile bio.

Q: How can I access replays of past live classes?

A: We recommend reviewing our Online Fitness Class Guide with step-by-step instructions, linked here for you to fully understand how our past live classes are managed, and how long you will be able to access each class for. Our IGTV channel, where past live classes (both expiring and on demand) will be stored, is also linked here for you!