Yesterday, Governor Walz announced several updates regarding gym operations state-wide. We hope that this is another step towards what we hope to be the end of the long, dark tunnel that COVID-19 has brought us through this past year. Per his announcement, gyms are allowed to reopen this weekend, though with some restrictions that will keep us from “normal” operations until at least January 4th. 

More specifically, the Governor has cleared gyms to open with the stipulations that all patrons are masked for the duration of their visit, that all athletes maintain 12 feet of distance between them, and that businesses not exceed 25% capacity. The last restriction is that all workouts are to be done individually, or 1:1 with a socially-distanced coach. Group fitness classes will not be offered until early January.

While we all love the feeling and atmosphere of group classes, and that’s the bread of butter of what we do, we are excited for even the smallest steps forward. So, while we’re bummed we can’t do any group sessions for the next couple of weeks, we can still be here, with open doors to give you a place to sweat, to work, and maybe even a place to find a little community and joy this season. Until we are given the green light to run group classes we are excited to welcome members for open gym workouts that will hopefully keep you moving and feeling good over the next couple of weeks.

Here are the details:

• Beginning Monday, December 21, we will offer 6 Open Gym (DIY) time slots on Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 5 slots on Tuesday/Thursday, and 3 slots on Saturdays.

• All DIY slots will be listed with MindBody Online as part of our regular schedule. These classes are open to active members only and pre-registration is required as usual. 

• DIY slots will be 50-minutes in duration. *Note: The schedule says 1 hour, but please leave time for cleaning and exiting the building so we don’t have any crossover from slot to slot.

• Capacity is limited to 4 members per hour to allow for 12’ of distancing. We ask that you gather your equipment in one area and stick to that area for the duration of your workout. Be mindful of others around you and try not to move through multiple stations across the gym frequently.

• Respect each other by signing up in advance and sticking to your scheduled time. Please also limit yourself to one slot per day so that everyone who wants time has access.

• Late cancellations/No-shows will result in an $8 charge.

• Athletes should be checked in with a temperature check upon arrival by a coach.

• You are welcome to use equipment - weights, med balls, etc. Just be sure to clean everything and put it away when you are finished.

• We will have a workout of some kind written on the white board each day. Feel free to use ours, or bring your own!

• Ask if you need a running clock or interval timer - we can help with that!

• Spray bottles and paper towels will be provided so spaces and equipment can be sanitized after use.

We know this is yet another adjustment during a year of nothing but adjustments, but we will keep pivoting and moving with the times as long as we need to in order to make sure you, our community, feels safe and taken care of. We are here for you and appreciate how big you’ve shown up for us, and for each other. As always, if you have questions, please let us know!

Joe has been following updates on the vaccine with fervor. He gives me the lowdown multiple times a day. And we are both filled with so much hope that better and brighter days are close at hand. We hope you all can find time over the next few weeks to reflect on the challenges that each of you have overcome this year - whether in the gym, at work, at home, or all of the above. You are all incredible and we couldn’t be more grateful for this family of athletes that have found a home at MBC. Thank you for all you bring to this place. We miss you and wish you joy and peace as we move into the New Year. Happy Holidays and see you in the gym!

As positive cases of COVID rise and transmission rates in the State of Minnesota reach a a dangerous boiling point we, as a gym community, have been asked to do the hard things once again. Due to the increasing spread of the virus, Governor Tim Walz has issued an Executive Order pausing the operation of fitness centers and gyms (among other businesses) for 4 weeks starting at midnight this Friday, November 20. We understand that extreme measures need to be taken to keep our gym community, as well as our state, safe and healthy, and to keep our healthcare system functioning at optimal levels. We also understand that this a huge inconvenience to you - our members. And we are beyond bummed that we won't get to see you for the next several weeks.

That being said, we are already hard at work to keep the good things coming. We have already received so many messages, texts, and emails asking how you can support the gym and keep yourself on track. And just because the doors are temporarily closed doesn't mean we aren't working hard for you! Here is what this temporary closure means for your training and your membership as we navigate the month ahead:

VIRTUAL CLASSES

We have been offering daily virtual classes since March and will continue to do so throughout the remainder of the year, and beyond! These virtual sessions have been a lifeline for so many of you and we will keep bringing you the same, high-intensity, varied training that you're used to in the gym, from the comfort of your own home. No equipment? No worries! We will get creative and meet you where you're at and with what you've got. Click HERE for a list of our virtual offerings and how to connect with us. You can view the updated virtual class schedule HERE. In addition, stay tuned for some fun challenges and retail offerings coming at you in the next days and weeks!

PRIVATE TRAINING

Virtual 1:1 sessions are available if you want the extra push or accountability. All 1:1 sessions are available at a cost separate from your membership rate. Please reach out if you'd like to schedule a session! If you have been working with a coach on a 1:1 basis up to this point, they will be in contact with you no later than Friday with an update on any previously scheduled sessions.

HOME GYM EQUIPMENT

Our incredible partners at Ringside.com have extended a previous discount on a few items that can help you stock your home gym. Request a copy of the price list by emailing heidi@minneapolisboxingclub.com.

YOUR MEMBERSHIP

We are, as ever, grateful for your investment in the gym (all of you - from class pack holders, to unlimited members, and everyone in between) and we do not take that investment for granted. If you are willing and able, please know that continuing to pay your membership is the type of thing that will allow us the ability to be standing at the end of this fight. If your circumstances make that difficult, we understand 100%. If you need to put your membership on hold during this closure, we will graciously honor that request. Email Heidi directly with your request and she will process it promptly. Her email is listed above.

Finally, we want you to know that the MBC community is what keeps us going. Even though we've all had a lot of tough days this year (and there are likely more to come) - your perseverance, grit, and willingness to show up in all the ways and do the hard work is what keeps us going. It is our absolute joy and pleasure to work with you and see the progress you all make daily in the gym and at home. We've done this before, and we truly believe we can do it again and make it through the championship rounds. As Joe always says, "Easy work!"

Thank you for considering ways that you can support this small business, and others, in this difficult time. Thank you for being a member of this family and for taking care of each other so well. We have been amazed and inspired by all of your ability to adapt to changes to accommodate the health and safety of the whole community. Be well, stay safe, and we will see you soon!

In light,
Heidi & Joe

We understand that cases are on the rise pretty much everywhere. And, as we head into the winter months when it is less comfortable for us to be outside, or at least have our garage doors open, we need to ALL be mindful of transmission rates and safety measures so that we can keep ourselves and our community safe and healthy.

So far we have been lucky that our exposure in the gym has been low. We have had only 1 incident and, because we followed all guidelines, we were able to contain the incident and keep potential transmission very low.

In the event of any future positive cases in the gym, we will follow all Minnesota Department of Health guidelines to minimize transmission. Here are the details:

• If you or someone you have been in contact with tests positive, please contact us immediately.

• Close contact is defined as being within 6-feet for a cumulative 15 minutes or longer in a 24-hour period.

• If we learn of any positive cases we will use our attendance rosters to immediately contact anyone who has had exposure to the positive case and inform each individual of their exposure and ask that he/she abide by the 14-day quarantine period.

• Individuals that test positive can return to work following an isolation period of 10 days after their symptoms begin/positive test result as long as their symptoms have improved and they have not had a fever for the last 24 hours (and given that they have not taken fever-reducing medications during that time). A second test is not recommended, as individuals can test positive for a significant period of time after they are no longer infectious.

• Anyone who has been in close contact with anyone that tests positive should quarantine for 14 days starting the day following their last exposure. You can find materials here (available in multiple languages) that provide additional information for anyone exposed.

• We recommend that exposed individuals be tested 5-7 days following exposure. However, please understand that a negative result during your quarantine does not change the quarantine recommendations given that incubation can be anywhere from 2-14 days.

• If employees or members are exhibiting symptoms but test negative we will ask that they follow the 10-day isolation period from when their symptoms started.

• Please remember to wear a mask in the gym whenever you are not engaged in a training session. Clean your equipment thoroughly after use, and stay 6’ away from other members at all times. We can work together to keep each other safe!

Additional Resources:

• The Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 website can be found here.

• The CDC website showing that requiring a negative test is no longer recommended is here.

• If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact Heidi directly via phone or email, or you can also email the general Minnesota COVID-19 inbox at covid19@minneapolismn.gov.