Although the pandemic forced U of T to close down the majority of facilities for in-person use, gyms have recently begun to open back up again for students, faculty, and members of the U of T community. 

The services are only open for U of T students and registered members of U of T Sports & Recreation. Gyms will continue to scale up operations with additional programming and offerings added as it is deemed safe for them to do so. Updates will be available on the Sports & Recreation website. 

Safety protocols 

In accordance with provincial guidelines, anyone who uses these facilities must be fully vaccinated, which requires them to have received two vaccine doses at least 14 days prior. Safety protocols are also in place to protect and limit the spread of COVID-19, some of which include maintaining a distance of two metres from other gym-goers and wearing a mask indoors. 

Different gyms on campus are operating with different registration requirements. The Hart House gym is available to all students without any registration as of November 22. Its website says students have to “sign-in with [their] T-card or membership card at the Fitness Information Desk and access all available Fitness Centre facilities.” Hart House also offers classes, both virtual and in-person, for those interested. 

On the other hand, the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE), which manages both the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport and the Athletic Centre, requires advance registration for entry into the facilities, including drop-in activities. 

Hart House and the KPE both require masks, vaccination, and physical distancing. 

When gyms might close 

There is a chance that gyms might close down again. Whether that happens mainly depends on the provincial government, which might reapply public health restrictions should they be required. 

However, Premier Ford has said that further restrictions may be mild. “The chief medical officer of health has been clear: the objective is to avoid further lockdowns and if additional measures are necessary, they will be localized, tailored, and aimed at limiting disruption to businesses and families because this is not just a plan for the short term, but for the long term.”