Publications

Join IHRSA experts and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to learn about national guidelines for reopening health clubs, as well as ways to safely remain open. Alberto Garcia, mechanical engineer at NIOSH, an agency of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will review recent industry workplace reopening guidelines established by the CDC.

Next, Kate Golden from the Newtown and Horsham Athletic Clubs will provide the cleanliness and safety protocols used as well as the training, communication, and outreach initiatives implemented to keep their community healthy and safe. Finally, Amy Bantham, DrPH, MS, MPP, CEO/Founder of Move to Live More, will discuss using public health principles and evidence-based research to advise the industry on its COVID-19 response.

Situations for clubs vary city to city, state to state, and country to country. Panelists will take the time to address your questions as you prepare for any additional waves of the virus in the community, and determine what you can do to remain open and help stop the spread.

Learning Objectives

• Review recently released CDC guidelines to reopen the fitness industry from the NIOSH team
• Learn what other clubs are doing to provide safe reopening practices
• Hear from a public health expert on mitigating risk and preventing COVID-19 in your club

Presenter Profiles

Alberto Garcia is the mechanical engineer for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Amy Bantham, DrPH, MS, MPP, is the CEO/Founder of Move to Live More, a research and consulting firm integrating healthcare, health and fitness, and communities to address chronic disease, physical inactivity, and obesity. With 20 years of experience working in consulting, health and fitness, and healthcare, her mission is helping people live longer, healthier, and more active lives.

Bantham consults to a Massachusetts local public health department on strategy and operations for their COVID-19 response. She also consults to the IHRSA Foundation’s ACCESS Health Initiative, which helps health clubs provide programming and services to people living with chronic disease and disability, and previously served as IHRSA's vice president of health promotion and health policy. She holds a Doctor of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health, a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, a Master of Science from Northeastern University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University,

Kate Golden is the director of health and wellness operations for the Newtown Athletic Club (NAC) and Horsham Athletic Club. She worked in the human resource field for eight years before joining the fitness industry. She currently oversees the Horsham Athletic Club and wellness operations for the Newtown Athletic Club, with her main focus on increasing ancillary revenue through wellness partnerships and programs. She also is building and developing a wellness center to offer members and non-members a unique 360-degree, whole wellness experience. Golden co-chair’s the NAC’s fundraising efforts for Augie’s Quest and was honored as one of the fitness industry’s 2017 “Rising Stars” by IHRSA.