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Sport and Fitness in a Safe Environment

How Sport and Fitness at Newcastle are working to keep you safe when we reopen to staff and students following the COVID-19 closures.

Additional measures and procedures

Working with departments within the University such as the Emergency Management Team, Health and Safety, People Services and Estates, as well as working to Government and National Governing Body (NGB) guidance, including guidance from UK Active, Sports Services have introduced additional measures and procedures during this time:

 

  • reduced capacity (to ensure social distancing is maintained at all times)
  • activity area user capacity monitored at all times
  • pre-bookable training slots - book online or via our app
  • increased cleaning and sanitising stations, users to wipe down equipment before and after use is required
  • directional signage for entry and exit to activity areas
A cleaner cleaning gym equipment.

Keeping you safe when we reopen

  • protective screens installed at reception
  • equipment laid out to enable social distancing
  • each fitness class participant will have their own workout station
  • sanitising spray and paper towel stations in activity areas to wipe down equipment (before and after use)
  • no sharing of equipment (no spotting in the gym)
  • no gym/sweat towels (use paper towel provided)
  • we highly encourage participants to arrive ready to train, bring their own water and equipment (racket, exercise mat)
  • there will be a 15-minute crossover between gym and class slots to minimise congestion
A cleaner cleaning gym equipment.

Sport and Fitness Centre User Responsibility

We’ve put a lot of changes in place, but for these to be most effective we all must do our part. Aside from respecting the government's safety guidelines, we ask that any member using our activity areas will help with cleanliness and hygiene best practices by adhering to the following training etiquette.

Gym and Group Fitness Classes

  • If you feel unwell (fever/flu like symptoms), please stay at home anmd stay safe
  • Pre-booking your fitness class, sports hall space guarantees your spot
  • Regularly wash your hands or use the hand sanitiser provided
  • Please ensure to practice social distancing (2m) when in the Sports Centre
  • Clean all equipment before and after use
  • Gym/Sweat towels are not permitted – please use blue roll provided
  • We ask you to arrive no more than 5 minutes before your booking (to limit crossover)
  • Personal items – we highly suggest bringing only the necessities
  • Water – we strongly urge you to bring your own water 
  • Face Masks – face coverings should be worn at all times except in activity spaces when exercising or when showering
  • Follow our directional signage for entry and exit to the activity areas (gym, studio, S&C, sports hall)
  • Changing/Showering facilities - Whilst we are encouraging users to come ready to train, lockers, changing rooms and showers are available. 

Casual Sport Bookings

  • Please ensure that you stick to capacity limits for each sport
  • Equipment will be provided and is available from the reception area, we ask that you sanitise all equipment before and after use
  • You should also sanitise any touch points on court for your particular sport, e.g. table tennis surface area
  • Follow all advisory signage around the centre
  • Further info on casual sport bookings can be found here https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sport/sport-and-fitness/court-bookings/

We will continue the sale of consumable items (shuttlecocks, table tennis balls and squash balls) at reception.

For more information on specific hygiene and social distancing guidelines for each activity, please speak to one of our members of staff upon arrival at the sports centre.