Highland gyms told to close during busiest time
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The blanket closure of gyms across the Highlands will have a shocking impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of residents, a leading gym owner has claimed.
Tom Ashmole (52) of Gym 300, in Inverness, is urging people to make their feelings known about a lack of access to fitness centres, after they were forced to close on Boxing Day for at least three weeks.
Mr Ashmole says that people should be in charge of their own health, and must be allowed to make their own decisions about whether to attend a gym or not.
“January is the busiest month of the year for gyms, as people make resolutions to get fit and healthy,” he said. “This time, because of the lockdown they will not be able to do that.
“I do not understand what changed overnight that moved people from level one to level four. It was a shock to us all.
“I have seen no scientific evidence that says closing gyms makes any sense.
“They are no greater risk to the public than other places that can stay open. People want to be fit and healthy – their health matters.
“This virus is just that, a virus. We deal with viruses every single day. This is no different.
“People know how to keep safe, and they should be allowed to carry on going about their lives in a way that is suitable for them.”
Explaining that he thinks the rise of suicides in the Highlands is a direct consequence of the hopelessness people feel as a result of Covid-19, he said gyms were at the forefront of fighting the mental and physical impact of lockdown.
“Gyms are a community of people who support each other,” he said. “We have more than 500 members who are committed to improving their own fitness and looking after themselves. Why on earth it makes sense to close us down is completely beyond me.
“It is time to tell the politicians what we think.”
Mr Ashmole, as well as representatives from fellow 24-hour gym and near-neighbours Forge Gym, has encouraged people to contact their local MP and MSPs to make their feelings known.
A Scottish Government spokesman defended its decision, saying: “Level four is intended to apply for short periods of time to bring transmission down and under control.
“Our approach and principles remain as set out in our framework for decision-making, based on clinical evidence, expert advice and a balanced assessment of the risks.
“We recognise the benefits sport and physical activity brings to physical and mental health and we know that restrictions on the opening of gyms in level four will be disappointing, but we must do all we can to prevent any opportunities for the virus to spread.”
