"We're going to keep pushing for this, I have a nearly 8,000 sq. ft. facility with tens of thousands of dollars of equipment I can't use."

That from RISE Athletics' owner Kurtis Fox who says more work is needed to ensure the province recognizes the distinction between gyms and personal training services.

The conversation continues this week between the province and the personal training industry to clarify what services are allowed to open under the current health restrictions.

Fox says he recently received direction on the EngageMB.ca website that he would be able to open up services inside his facility. The EngageMB portal exists for business owners seeking clarification from the province on COVID-19 restrictions.

Originally, he says they were given the green light to operate at their facility on a one-on-one basis as long as physical distancing and sanitation measures were in place. He says those messages have since been deleted and revised statements posted.

"There was a clarification given, I think there was some wires crossed," Health Minister and Morden-Winkler MLA Cameron Friesen says, adding under the current public health order, gyms are not allowed to open their doors.

"Here's where we stand, people who have gyms actually, right now, can operate outdoors, provided that they don't have classes with more than 10 people," Friesen says.

He notes he's working with Chief Public Health Officer on whether they could open gyms sooner, based on the numbers they're seeing. "This is evolving very, very quickly. That's the reason we need to take a balanced approach."

While Fox says he appreciates the outdoor options, he'll continue to advocate for the personal training industry to be recognized as unique to general gyms.

"They did for about a day and a half there, but after revoking that and putting out a blanket "all gyms must be closed" statement they've indicated they still don't see our services as a separate component," Fox says.

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