LI Group Testing Gyms To Potentially Clear Them For Reopening

LONG ISLAND, NY — A Long Island environmental group is working with Suffolk County Economic Planning and Development to provide local gyms with free testing to potentially clear them for reopening. Long Island is currently preparing to enter phase 4 on Wednesday, however Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced that gyms may not open during phase 4.

Kevin Godfrey, owner of GreenAdam, says the group normally offers disinfection and testing services for biohazards, but they are currently focusing on COVID-19 at the moment through the certified clearance program TrustedSafe.org.

"Throughout the last three months, we've tested hundreds of small businesses throughout Long Island, and one of the exciting things I've noticed is that gyms were outperforming almost every other type of business in regards to overall cleanliness," he told Patch. "The purpose is to dispel the false notion that gyms are any more 'contagious' than other businesses."

Godfrey says that through their testing system, the group takes samples from a business and tests for microorganism growth that could possibly become a breeding ground for viruses, therefore increasing the risk of potential future infections, by measuring RLU, or Relative Light Units. The tests can also help the group to ensure if the growths remain within the current Centers for Disease Control and Environmental Protection Agency recommended levels. If it is between 0 and 30 RLU, that is hospital grade surgical suite, between 30 and 100 is CDC preferred levels, between 100 and 149 RLU means it is still within an acceptable level and anything over 150 RLU means it has failed.

While the tests do not measure for COVID-19 contamination, New York State leadership is asking for data and expert analysis before they feel confident in reopening gyms, so the group is willing to provide them with the data from their testing

"It appears [officials] are making decisions based on junk science or suggesting financially-crippling measures such as retrofitted HVAC systems, which will not be possible for the majority of owners out there," Godfrey said.

Through these tests, GreenAdam found all samples taken from restaurants that were closed for two months came back at with higher levels of microorganism growths. In addition, testing at several spas found that over half of the samples came back above the average amount of growths. Gyms had the lowest overall initial failure rate of about three out of 10, meaning out of 10 samples taken on free weights, yoga mats, exercise equipment, water fountains, and more, only three were coming back above current CDC and EPA recommended levels — and most only slightly.

"The evidence points to the fact that gyms are inherently cleaner than most other businesses and had stricter cleaning checklists and protocols in place before COVID-19.," Godfrey said. "There is no reason to assume that this will become laxer, but very fair to believe that they will become even stricter, putting them at the most rigorous procedures of any business, open or closed at the moment."

The group has already tested multiple gyms, including 12 on Long Island. The list includes:

• SC Fitness in Bethpage
• Kelsie's Barre in Smithtown
• Masa CrossFit in Centereach
• Undivided Athletics in Bohemia
• Jpahl Fitness in East Setauket
• BodySmart in Southhold
• World Gym in Wantagh
• Elevation Fitness in Babylon
• Relentless Strength & Fitness in Westbury
• Redefine Fitness in Mt. Sinai
• Simply Pilates in Smithtown
• Northport Fit Body Bootcamp in Northport

Godfrey said that Charlie Cassara, owner of SC Fitness and Michael Carlin, owner Slope Fitness in Brooklyn have welcomed the group into their gyms to prove "without a doubt that they are safe to reopen." He said both owners are willing to take measures, such as once a month testing, to ensure the health of their employees and clients.

"No other industry is willing to go above and beyond like they are, and Gov. Cuomo and his task force should consider that before they continue to make decisions that affect the livelihoods of thousands of small business owners, without any actual input," he said. "Currently, over 2,000 gyms throughout NYS have signed on to follow the attached protocol - created with their input - as the state has provided zero information on their next steps."