Welcome Back* FAQ!

June 14, 2020

*this post was edited on 7/2 to reflect government updates


We have been working diligently to prepare the facility for our Grand Reopening. While we are so excited to welcome everyone back, please know that it will be different in many ways.  We have reengineered, remodeled, and restructured our business after 24 years. My parents opened our doors back in 1996, signing on members for karate lessons taught by my Dad and kickboxing classes taught by my Mom. They had some weight equipment so went ahead and included that in the membership. We offered high quality classes with a gym on the side.

It took an unprecedented time like this to remember what we have to offer this community. Our specialty classes can’t be found just anywhere. Our instructors aren’t from a cookie cutter. Our facility is built like no other. And now, our mission is going back to the basics: to educate our community how to live well by integrating body, mind, and spirit. We are coming back around full circle…a father opens a space to teach martial arts and 20 years later a daughter reinvents that space to teach the art of yoga. To think, this is only the beginning.

At this point I think it goes without saying that we won’t be going back to the way things were before we were forced to shut down. So, in addition to our reemergence, we are also embracing new protocols in order to maximize the safety of our community.

We are following the Texas governor’s mandates and are reopening using the guidelines from the CDC. Due to the nature of COVID-19, there is no way we can guarantee anyone’s safety, or the possibility of contracting COVID-19 while participating in activities at Family Fitness.

With that being said, there will be a higher standard expected from our members, employees and instructors to ALL do what we can to minimize those risks. A few of the many updated protocols include:

  • Each member must sign an updated waiver in our system
  • Limited to 20 people in Cardio/Weight room (pre-registration recommended)
  • Limited to 15 students per class (pre-registration required)
  • Members and Guests MUST pre-register to sign up for classes either online via Wellness Living, Achieve app, OR by calling the gym 
  • At this time, there will be no class props. Participants need to bring their own supplies (yoga props will be available for purchase)

Please note that based on local regulations as well as international best practices and guidelines, certain features or areas of the club will be temporarily unavailable:

  • Basketball and Volleyball Courts (private rental only)
  • Showers, lockers and sauna
  • Towel Service
  • Swimming pool

We hope for these measures to be as temporary as possible. Thank you for your patience, and welcome to the new and improved Family Fitness!

Below we compiled a FAQ we hope you’ll find helpful as we move forward into uncharted territories. PLEASE READ IN ITS ENTIRETY IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING RETURNING WHEN WE REOPEN.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When are you opening?

A: We will open our doors on Tuesday, June 16 at 8 am to current members who wish to make use of a reservation in our newly named “CW” (Cardio Weight room!). We will be open until 6 pm.

How do I make a reservation/check in?

A: In order to ensure safe distancing upon arrival, we will first open on a reservation basis. This will allow us to stagger arrivals, limit waiting time and ensure proper sanitation between guests.

  • To make your reservation, email familyfitness@gvtc.com with CW RESERVE in subject line. You can then reserve a time block from 30 min to 2 hours. You must receive a confirmation from Family Fitness of the reservation.
  • If you haven’t checked your temperature yet, there will be a non contact forehead thermometer at the front desk to take your touchless temperature before using the facility
  • Front desk staff will guide you through signing updated waiver and confirm adjusted membership timeframe on your Wellness Living account profile
  • Once your check in is complete we request you sanitize your hands before using the facility
  • We are estimating around 5 minutes to complete this process, so that is how we are staggering appointments. Thank you for your cooperation!!

 What changes are being made to keep members safe?

A: We are implementing the following guidelines on our fitness floor:

  • For proper distancing, we will be using every other piece of cardio equipment
  • In the Cardio Weight area, we ask you refrain from using a piece of equipment right next to someone else. Be mindful of personal space.
  • In the Class Room, we will use the floor to guide our distance. Please observe tape and signage for guidance.
  • For your safety, hard to clean apparatus (bands, porous weights and mats, foam blocks, foam rollers, etc.) will not be available during this initial phase
  • Disinfectant cleaners will be available for all members to clean equipment during weight workouts
  • Club staff will be monitoring social distancing guidelines and assisting with equipment sanitation
  • Family Fitness requests members do their part to monitor their own wellness for the sake of others. Please:
    • If you feel sick, have a fever, cough, difficulty breathing or have been around anyone who has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, please stay home.
    • All immune compromised students are asked to stay home and utilize online classes
    • If you travel internationally we ask that you refrain from attending in-person classes for two weeks.
    • If you work in the health care industry, but not necessarily in the hospital and have not been exposed, have not had a fever or have been short of breath in the previous two weeks, we ask that you please wear a mask during class

Are facemasks and/or gloves required?

  • ALL members and guests must have a face covering in order to enter the premises. All persons over the age of 10 who enter the facility must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth, such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief.
  • All staff will be required to wear protective face coverings when checking members in. Staff will wear masks and gloves when cleaning equipment.
  • Gloves are highly recommended during check in process. We will have disposable gloves available for member use.
  • Once you’ve entered, checked in and are in place to exercise (classroom or CW), face coverings may be removed AS LONG AS SIX FEET OF DISTANCE CAN BE MAINTAINED. If six feet of distance cannot be maintained, FACE COVERINGS MUST BE WORN.

How can we help?

  • All members are required to disinfect their equipment before and after use.  Sanitizing equipment will be provided throughout the facility.
  • We ask that you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds frequently and use provided hand sanitizer often.
  • Staff will be dedicated to continuously sanitizing high touch points throughout the club.
  • Floors will be sanitized after each class.

What changes will be made with Group Exercise?

  • Pre registration is REQUIRED
    • Registration online is highly encouraged to reserve your place in the class, but a phone call to the gym works too
  • All classes will be held in our freshly merged space now known as The Classroom.
  • The class schedule has been adjusted to allow for proper sanitizing after classes
  • Class sizes will be limited to ensure social distancing
  • Members will need to bring their own mats/gear (yoga props will be available for purchase) until further notice
    • If you have hand weights on site, let us know so we can get them for you during your check in process
  • At this time, no late arrivals will be let in to classes
  • Instructors will not offer hands on assists, face towels or eye pillows at this time

Will classes stay online?

A: Yes! Our facebook group will remain active for those who aren’t ready to return or can’t grab a spot in time.

What about my membership?

A: All membership expirations will be adjusted to reflect the time that Family Fitness was closed. You will not lose any time that you’ve paid for!
We are initiating new membership options as we reopen. These will come into effect whenever your renewal date rolls around.

Can we hug?

A: We miss our community dearly and know that it will be wonderful to see you! For many reasons, it will feel different and that’s to be expected. However, know that our love and appreciation for you is still the same! Instead of hugs, please greet each other with big smiles. Please share stories with us and each other. This will be a great way to reintegrate from this time, share and be with your community in a mindful way.

Additional things to consider:

  • There will be no lockers or cubby spaces for belongings, so please limit what you bring to things that you can carry with you
  • Please make sure you are subscribed to receive updates via email! We can easily update those preferences during your check in. Let’s keep you up to date!