Dear Members, 

We are very close to re-opening, I hope you are as excited as I am!

MORE CLASSES

Due to popularity we have added more spin classes! Check out Wednesday 6am, Saturday 9am and Sunday 9am. 

Courtesy, Etiquette and Discipline. I believe “discipline” simply means that –  you say you’re going to do something, and then you actually do it! If you book your class we are expecting you. If you can’t make it for unforeseen circumstances (that’s ok but), please be courteous and cancel yourself off the class to give another member the opportunity.

One of the very special things about our club is the community of members and the vibe. Thank you, just keep being you!  

REMEDIAL MASSAGE IS NOW OPEN

On the spot health insurance rebates are available (HICAPS). Bookings at reception or call the club. 

SOME MORE HOUSE KEEPING…

1. Re-Activation of Memberships

A free membership freeze was performed on 23rd March 2020. This was made indefinitely until we knew further details as to when we could re-open. As we will be re-opening from Saturday 13th June 2020 with minimal restrictions all membership freezes will end and your membership will continue as it was pre-COVID-19. All expiries will be extended by 81 days (the time we have been closed). You do not have to do anything. 

Because the membership freezes were applied about a week into the payment cycle, (for most members) there is a credit on your account that when applied will make up the rest of the days that you already paid for (March 17th 2020). This means that coming back you can expect  a smaller amount debited from your account until your credit is used (and then a full payment on next cycle). 

There are some members that have been hiring equipment or signed up to online classes. Your credit would have already been used up for those services. This will also affect slightly your first membership payment, before a full payment cycle.

I sincerely apologise if this is confusing, please feel free to call or email if you have any questions, or if you think there has been a mistake with your billing. 

2. Class Bookings and Entry into the Club

It is now compulsory to book classes ahead of schedule. This is a requirement to ensure easier contact tracing in the event that we experience a case in our community. I hope it also gives you peace of mind that you will be sharing the club with members. 

To ensure that we have an accurate and up to date register, it will be necessary to keep the front door closed and locked. Access to the club will only be available with your key tag. Your key tag will only work if you have a class booking, gym session booking or Personal Training booking. (Your tag will unlock the door 15 minutes before your booking time and 20 minutes after your booking time and multiple re-entry during the time spot). 

If you have any questions about the app, please give us a call anytime and we will be able to assist. If you do not have a key tag please give us a call to arrange a time to pick one up. Key tag is complimentary with your membership, replacement tags are $25. 

3. Gym Session Bookings and Entry into the Club

It is now compulsory for all gym members using the gym (only) to book a time on our app. It is set as a class called “Gym Session Weights/Cardio”. With booking made in the Gym Session class your key tag will give you access to open the front door. Your tag will unlock the door 15 minutes before your booking time and 20 minutes after your booking time and multiple re-entry during the time spot.

If you have any questions about the app, please give us a call anytime and we will be able to assist. If you do not have a key tag please give us a call to arrange a time to pick one up. Key tag is complimentary with your membership, replacement tags are $25

4. Change Rooms

The change rooms are open and available, however we ask members to change at home/work where possible. 

5. Cancellation of Online Membership

Cancellation of online memberships can be done immediately directly through the Gym Master Member App. You can also reply to this email to request cancellation. If you do not cancel your membership the membership payments and all the benefits will continue.  

6. Cancellation of Equipment Rental

This will be processed in the coming days as equipment is returned and signed back in. 

Can’t Wait to see you,

Ruben

DO YOU HAVE THE GYM MASTER MEMBER APP?

iOS

ANDROID

Dear Members,

It brings me great pleasure and relief to let you know that we are re-opening on SATURDAY 13th June 2020. 

I hope everyone has been keeping well both mentally and physically and that you are as excited as I am to get back into the gym. It has been a very challenging time for so many people and I hope that somewhere that you have found the silver lining. I do believe every obstacle is an opportunity.

If we make a conscious effort of thinking about what we are grateful for, we will be in a better mental state for whatever challenges we face each day.

Keeping in mind our community responsibility and mandatory restrictions we will return back to “normal” as much as possible. 

The new normal @Ruben’s…

10 participants per class (Class timetable is now live and open for bookings via the GymMaster Member app)

Bookings/Registration for classes and gym use compulsory (with Gym Master App) 

Maximum 100 people in the building (keeping to 4sqm per person)

Use of towels for gym and classes (available for hire if needed)

Extra auto hand sanitizers throughout the gym

Extra gym wipes throughout gym

More time between classes to minimise overlap

Daily staff temperature checks

Before we open…

Return of Equipment

We will have times where the gym will be staffed for you to return your equipment. As soon as your equipment is returned the rental payments will be cancelled. 

Saturday 6th June, 6am – 12pm

Monday 8th June, 6am – 12pm

Thursday, 9am – 5pm

Friday 12th June, 12pm – 5:00pm

Online Memberships

We will continue to provide availability to the online content through the same membership. If you would like to cancel your online classes membership you can do so immediately via the GymMaster Member app or Online Portal.  

Outdoor Classes will stop as we will be able to do classes indoors! Last class will be Friday 12th June at 6:30am. 

Download the GymMaster Member App and login into your @Ruben’s account (call us if you have any questions). Here you will be able to book your place into classes and gym sessions. You can also manage most of your membership admin needs. I.e. Membership freeze, Membership cancellation, Membership upgrades, Updating/Changing payment details. 

Membership Access Tag will now be necessary to access the club as part of our new COVID responsible operations. Tag is included with your membership, if you do not have one please give us a call to arrange a time to be given one. Replacement tags are $25. 

Remember

Stay at home if you feel unwell (even for mild symptoms)

Download COVID-Safe App

A huge thanks to everyone that has kept in touch and supported us through this difficult time.

The less you move, the less you want to move AND the more you move, the more you want to move. So let’s get back into it!

See you soon,

Ruben.

We are getting ready! 

Dear Members,

I hope you have been keeping well. 

Here @Ruben’s times have been challenging as they have been at every other fitness facility and small business around the country. Thanks to all our members support, government assistance and landlord assistance we will come out of this crisis.

Moving forward, the whole team is excited for the next opportunity to deliver the best experience in health and fitness that you can expect from @Ruben’s. 

I’d like to strongly recommend downloading COVID-Safe App. This is the use of smart phones with bluetooth (not location data) to speed up the way contact tracing can be done. So you can be notified quickly if you have been in close proximity of someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in last 21 days.

It is simply the clever use of technology to speed up contact tracing to fight the monster that is Novel Corona Virus. It is voluntary to download and use.

In my opinion it is our responsibility to do everything we can to keep our families, friends, colleagues and ourselves safe from this virus. Here is the link if you’d like to download.

Android Download – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.gov.health.covidsafe

iPhone Download – https://apps.apple.com/au/app/covidsafe/id1509242894

The new norms…

1. Stay at home if you feel unwell. 

2. New norm hygiene practices (regular hand washing and not touching your face)

3. Social Distancing (keeping 1.5m between people)

4. @Ruben’s Online Membership will remain as member feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. ( https://www.atrubens.com.au/fitnessworkshops/ )

With the expectation of restrictions being removed, we are ready to get back into it! We can expect social distancing regulations for indoor facilities to be 4sqm per person, expectations of hygiene practices, personal responsibility…

With so much uncertainty around when and what we will be allowed to do. I’d like to share with you what we are thinking and preparing for. This can (and probably will) change at anytime in the light of new information and regulations.

Stage 1

• Daily temperature checks for all staff, trainers and instructors
• Outdoor classes to be held in the @Ruben’s carpark and Enmore Park. Pay as you go, $ TBA. (If/When restrictions are loosened to allow outdoor bootcamps of up to 10 people)

Stage 2

• Gym is allowed to open. Memberships and packs re-activated
• Personal Training resume with designated Personal Training zones 
• All equipment is returned to the gym
• New class numbers to adhere to safety and health guidelines
• New cleaning protocols

This situation is constantly changing and we are ready to adapt quickly, all your understanding and support is greatly appreciated. We will always behave responsibly and with peoples health and safety first and I am very grateful that we have such a great community of members that are honest and responsible.

Hopefully see you very soon!

Ruben.  

Dear Members, 

As of 23rd March 2020 

1. All memberships are on hold free of charge

2. All pre-purchased packs have extended expiry dates

3. The Gym is closed. All classes cancelled. All personal Training cancelled. 

The last couple of days have been very challenging and emotional and yet they have been some of the most satisfying and rewarding moments of my life.

I have felt immense gratitude for my family, all their love and support and their health. Immense gratitude for the amazing team of  trainers that I have worked with. And I have felt immense gratitude for the amazing community of members that we have at the club. 

Now the initial shock of working from home for most has settled down , I’d like to share with you the challenges we will face. 

STRUCTURE

Without having to get up, get ready and “to go to work”… without a physical gym location to visit we are at a very high risk of losing our daily structure. Imagine our bodies without the structure provided by the skeleton. We would simply fall into a mushy pile on the floor. With proper structure our, focus and productivity will remain high. Without structure we are on a slippery slope. 

CONNECTION

We must now (more than ever before) to make an active effort of connecting with people to keep emotionally in check. That connection will allow us to support each other. 

PHYSICAL FITNESS

Keeping active for most of us is as much physical health as it is mental health. Staying active is not a luxury, but a necessity. Now more than ever we must make the time to stay active and physically fit. Otherwise we will experience the health implications of a sedentary lifestyle – both physical and mental health.  

OUR NEW MEMBERSHIP (Sign Up Details will be sent in my next email). 

As part of our ongoing commitment to our community. 

– Daily Check-Ins Conference calls on Google Chat Meets. Mon- Fri 7:30am

– Online Classes on Vimeo

– Bodyweight Classes (No equipment)

– KB Classes

– Spin Classes

– Sandbag Classes

– TRX Classes

– Stretch Classes

– Live Fitness Classes

We are committed to being that little bit of glue that will hold the community together. 

Yours in Health and Fitness

Ruben. 

Dear Members, 

I wanted to send an updated message to all our members in regards to the current state of emergency with the COVID-19 crisis here in Australia and around the world.

I have always been very grateful of the amazing community of both members and trainers we have here @Ruben’s and think it’s very important to remain honest and transparent with you all during these times. 

At this point in time it is still safe to come to the gym and keeping high levels of personal hygiene and social distancing will help stop contracting the virus (in any public place). We are very lucky to have a small membership base meaning there is less chance of large numbers being at the gym hence easier to practice social distancing.

As the virus does spreads there grows a small chance that there will be a mandatory closure of the gym (along with all other non-essential activities and gatherings) as we have seen elsewhere in the world. In the case that this does occur we will place all memberships on hold at no charge. I want to assure you that will be taken care of. This will stand for the duration that it is imposed for. 

Solutions Not Problems…

As of today 19/3/2020

1. We are launching online classes, available on VIMEO, with numerous updates each week. Check the @Ruben’s Website for updates. First video can be viewed here https://vimeo.com/398639321 Access PASSWORD: stayfit

2. Equipment for sale. We have available 10 x NEW TRX Suspension Training straps (with door anchors to set up at home), $95.  Available at reception. 

3. Continued Social Distancing and cleaning. In the Spin Studio we will make sure there is 1.5 metres between bikes and keep all windows and doors open for the duration of the class. As a reminder and suggestion… there is gym access between 5:30am – 9pm Monday to Friday and 6am – 9pm Saturday and Sundays. Outside of peak times there is very little people in the gym and much simpler to maintain social distancing. If you do not have a program to follow please reply to this email now and we will set one up for you. 

If … (Lock Down)

In the unlikely case that we must close for a period of time, it could be for 2 weeks or longer. I feel both responsibility and priority to keep members active both physically and mentally and to keep trainers employed. Here are the solutions we will be offering. 

If the club is shut you will be able to take a little part of @Ruben’s home with you.

1. Equipment Rental

Available for Rent will be Spin Bikes ($30/week home delivered), Kettlebells ($5/week), Sandbags ($5/week), Slam Balls ($5/week), Resistance Bands ($5/week). To register for equipment, please reply back to this email right away.  

2. Online Fitness Membership subscription.

To keep access to the online content there will be a small subscription fee $10/week. This will be an opt in with an sign up link emailed out. 

With all these measures we are set to stay mentally and physically strong, fit and healthy during these uncertain times. 

Community coming together…

FRESH MEAT is available at our local Black Forest Smoke House (Across from the gym 138 Victoria Rd, Marrickville). Our friends Josh and Richard have an abundant supply of fresh meat if you are struggling to find it in the supermarket. They are also providing packages for delivery (Inner West only) if you are in quarantine or self isolation. Give them a call 9516 3210 or visit the website. 

Black Forest Smoke House https://www.blackforestsmokehouse.com.au/shop

STAY CALM, HAVE A COFFEE

George at Roastville has an online store. You can purchase and arrange delivery of coffee (whole bean or ground), if you need.

Roastville https://roastville.com.au/

Thanks for your attention, I hope you and your family stay healthy and we’ll keep you informed with anymore developments as they arise. 

Yours in Health and Fitness 

Ruben. 

Dear Members,

As the COVID-19 situation develops, I’d like to address all members and guests to give peace of mind with the measures that we are taking to ensure safety and wellness. 

Measures we are taking…

• 1 x Extra paper towel dispenser and disinfectant spray bottle in the gym
• New class format for SFX class to minimise change overs
• Less Spin bikes in the studio to allow more space between participants
• Removal of communal boxing gloves. Boxing gloves and wraps available for sale at reception 
• Not encouraging contact between participants or instructors and participants (no high fives)
• Extra cleaning measures by cleaners to ensure the club is deep cleaned. Especially noting door handles and contact points throughout the gym

As a reminder to all members and guests it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure effective hygiene, we must all stay diligent…  

• A clean towel must be used at all times. If you do not bring a towel they are available for hire at reception
• Please wash your hands upon entry to the club (20 seconds with soap and water). There is also hand sanitiser dispensers at the entrance and the back of the gym. More hand sanitisers are on back order and will be installed as soon as possible.
• Wipe down all equipment and mats after use with disinfectant spray and paper towels provided throughout the club
• Avoid touching nose, eyes, mouth
• Cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
• If you feel unwell we advice that you stay at home rest and recover

Gyms are still seen as “low risk for COVID-19” according to Associate Professor Sanjaya Senanaayake (infectious disease specialist at Australian National University) quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald

Dr Kerry Chant (NSW Chief Medical Officer) interviewed on 2GB answered “YES” to is it safe to go to the gym?

This is a highly dynamic situation and we are ready to adapt to any developments. We appreciate these might be challenging times and are very grateful for our supportive community.

Yours in health and fitness

Ruben