The fitness industry is feeling the pinch of extended restrictions in light of the current health situation.

However, Kurtis Fox, owner of RISE Athletics in Winkler is advocating for more distinction between public gyms and personal training services.

"It was quite clear personal training services... weren't really recognized, they were just tucked in with gyms into future phases," Fox says in light of the province's economic reopening plan.

Instead, he says they offer scheduled, private training sessions that staff had already modified to ensure customers were protected.

Fox continues to advocate on the province's Engage Manitoba portal for fair treatment, and says they've seen some success in being granted permission to offer a structured fitness class outside. RISE held its first outdoor sessions last week Thursday.

"I'm also very empathetic to other gyms," Fox says. "That's why I figured if we could just get personal training services in general, I think pretty much every gym has some level of that, an opportunity to do something, we could get fitness services to people that need it."

He adds many of their clients are excited to get back into a fitness routine during the stress of COVID-19. "Especially with what's been going on it's an opportunity to better your mental health and lower that stress a bit."

While there's still no timeline for when training can reopen inside the facility, Fox says they'll continue to advocate for a middle ground, "where it can be done completely safely."

"It's important to get a piece of the industry going," Fox adds, noting there are businesses like his that could be open while meeting and exceeding the current health and safety guidelines.