FAQs
What are you doing virtually? Personal training, and we launched a Digital RVC membership. Learn more here – www.RiverValleyClub.com/Digital.
How can I contact RVC during this time? If you have any questions or would like to contact us, you can email us at ContactUs@RiverValleyClub.com. If you’d like to receive a call, please leave your phone number in an email to us.
Below you’ll see the feed of member communication we have sent via email to all members in regards to the Coronavirus outbreak and what it means for our business and your membership.
July 17, 2020
Welcome back to the River Valley Club, where our doors open to members on July 20. Our membership reps will be calling you soon to go over all the details and answer any questions you may have. Billing resumes August 1.
The video below helps orient you to the changes you will see upon your return. Our staff will remind you about how to keep safe, but we want you to remember the five keys:
*You must pass the following Health Screen test every time you come.
*Wear a cloth face mask, except during vigorous exercise. Please put your mask on before exiting your car, and keep it on your person at all times.
*Maintain minimum social distance: 6’ at all times, 10’ – 15’ while exercising. Our new security team will help enforce this important rule.
*Wash your hands frequently!
*Please use the RVC website or RVC mobile app to make reservations for each activity you undertake, including use of the locker room.
You’ll need your Barcode and Agreement Number to login if you haven’t used the app before! This info is in your email. You can email us if you need it.
The reservations help us to limit the number of participants in each room, and provides accurate contact tracing if needed. Ideally, we encourage you to arrive dressed in your workout clothes, and leave that way too. Bring a refillable water bottle, and your own towel. But if you really need to shower or use the locker room, please be sure to make your reservation.
Our staff will be here to help you navigate the new regulations. You can count on us.
Thank you for trusting us with your fitness needs. We’re here for you.
See you at the Club!
Elizabeth
June 22, 2020
Shhhh…. this news is for members only! On Monday, July 20 we plan to unlock the front door of the River Valley Club. Not everything will be exactly as it was before, but most everything you care about will be right where you left it. There will be plenty of new regulations to follow, but we can save those details for another time. Right now let’s think about how you can gradually get back to fitness RVC-style.
What is there to do between now and July 20?
Firstly, we are offering tennis for all ages, tennis camp for juniors, personal training, and some fitness classes – – all outdoors! In fact, we plan to keep outdoor fitness as part of our routine for as long as possible, even after we welcome you back indoors. For those members who need to remain at home we will continue our remote fitness membership, RVC Digital, into the foreseeable future, with more variety and live options as the months progress.
Please come and get your hair cut and colored as soon as you like. One of our beloved stylists had a client reluctant to come indoors, so she and Bryttny sat outside for an al fresco haircut – – did you see the pictures on Instagram? As well, now you can get your nails done by everyone’s favorite technician Ming – – her calendar is filling up fast! Ask about other aesthetics or massage, returning soon. Call the Spa, Salon and Barber desk at (603)643-3764 or visit www.SpaSalonBarberRVC.com to book your appointments today.
Four weeks from now, you will be able to return to the Club. Our hours might be somewhat limited, and some of the services will probably be unavailable, such as the saunas and steam rooms. We promise to communicate with you about the new regulations when the time is right. But meanwhile, we will be here and ready to help return you to your hard-earned self at peak fitness. Our talented staff has pulled out all the stops, and is more creative and inventive than ever. As ever, our aim is to make your time with us the best part of your day!
Welcome to the #NewNormal. Welcome back to the River Valley Club.
June 15, 2020
Today we offer a huge welcome back to the members, staff and clients who are returning to the Club – – your exuberance and enthusiasm are contagious! Virtual hugs have replaced actual ones, but the cheery tent and lovely weather make light of the fact that our doors have been locked, with memberships frozen, for a solid twelve weeks and counting.
Here’s a taste of what’s happening. June 8 we started cutting hair by appointment. Community Fitness (CF) at RVC started scheduling classes under the tent on June 10, by appointment. June 15 sees the return of outdoor tennis by appointment, and FitKids Childcare reopening. Personal Training has commenced under the big top, by appointment. There’s a pattern here – – for the moment, absolutely everything takes place by appointment. Additionally, everyone here has passed our health screen, as you will need to do when you return in the coming weeks.
In order to make our reopening successful, everyone needs to learn and take to heart the new regulations imposed upon us by the State of New Hampshire. The guidelines look daunting at first, because they are lengthy. But the rules are based on scientific and medical data, they are thorough, and most importantly they are required to keep everyone healthy and safe.
For this reason, we are opening bit by bit, in baby steps. Your responsibilities as members will be outlined in writing for you on signs posted throughout the Club. We will have staff here to help remind you. But it is your responsibility to comply, and we know we can count on you to keep our staff, yourselves, and by extension our entire community, safe.
Please keep an eye on this page for more reopening news.
See you at the Club!
Elizabeth
May 29, 2020
Dear RVC Members,
We have some very quiet, but to us very exciting developments up at the Club. In case you haven’t heard:
*Starting June 1, we are offering a limited number of appointments at the Barber and Salon.
*Starting June 8, we will resume some outdoor tennis at Huntley Meadows and other outdoor venues.
*Starting June 8, some of our world-class personal trainers will join their clients under a tent in front of the Club to continue with the personal training programs they have pursued remotely during New Hampshire’s shut-down.
*Starting June 15, some children will return to FitKids Childcare.
*RVC Digital remains strong, with 15 live online classes each week and unlimited access to over 100 60-minute recorded group fitness classes, ranging from Yin Yoga to BodyCombat by LesMills, and everything in between.
The doors to the Club remain locked to our amazing members, and most of our beloved staff remain on furlough, but just for the time being. We miss you all!
The management team has been working with local health officials, fitness industry experts, childcare licensing boards/bodies, health consultants, and other community partners to develop a plan of action and checklists for each cohort including staff, members, clients and families. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has issued detailed and specific mandates for all of our activities, with which we will comply. You can see for yourself at: https://www.covidguidance.nh.gov/. Regulations for all the activities remain fluid, and we expect further evolutions to the restrictions as time passes.
Please know that if you are one of those returning to the Club, you’ll need to fill out our health survey prior to arrival. You can find that here: https://rivervalleyclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/8.5x11_HealthScreening.pdf. We will take your temperature when you get here, hands-free, just like we do for all staff. Please put on your face mask prior to exiting your car. Face masks are required at all times, except during strenuous workouts.
Elizabeth Asch
Owner
May 17, 2020
To our dear Staff, Families, Members and Clients,
At the start of the shut-in, we created four distinct news feeds, in an attempt to share our thoughts, as well as information about the activities and remedies we created for each cohort in response to the COVID-19 situation. As we approach reopening, it makes more sense to update everyone all at once, for the methods and the planning are intertwined. Although the most important factors remain out of ours, or indeed anyone’s, control, I will attempt to outline for you our current thinking. All of this will be subject to evolving governmental regulations, which in turn will presumably be written in response to medical best practices.
First some important background you should know. We closed our doors on March 20 and they remain locked today. A tiny, hard-working team has been consulting with: local health officials; child care licensing and accreditation boards/bodies; health club industry partners in New Hampshire and nationally; health consultants; state and national guidelines from WHO, CDC, and the NH HHS; and other community partners, to develop a plan of action and reopening checklists for each area of the company. The State of New Hampshire publishes detailed guidelines each time Governor Sununu allows an industry to reopen, eg https://www.governor.nh.gov/news-media/stay-at-home/documents/20200105-barber-hair-salons.pdf for hair salons, which have been allowed to operate since May 11. The guidelines are detailed and helpful, and we will adhere to them.
Many people in our industry believed that the Governor would allow fitness facilities to reopen in NH as early as May 18, but no such announcement has been made. Child care facilities have been allowed to serve the families of essential workers only since the original stay at home order on March 30. Child care in Vermont is opening up as of June 1, and we have reason to believe that NH will follow, although again, no official announcement has been made.
It is with all these considerations in mind that we have come up with the following plan. Please understand that it may change, but we wanted to start somewhere. So here goes.
We plan to open reservations for the Salon and Barber at RVC on May 25, for a limited number of hair appointments only, starting June 1. We are likely to be able to offer a limited number of outdoor activities, such as RVC Tennis, starting June 7. We hope to open a limited number of classrooms at FitKids Childcare as of June 15, and are likely to be able to accommodate those families who recently responded that they need full-time childcare on that date so that they can return to work.
During this entire time, the doors at the River Valley Club will remain locked. Those individuals who have appointments at the Barber or Salon will be admitted one at a time, and undergo health screening, including temperature taking. All staff who enter either the Club or FitKids buildings will also undergo the health screen, as will the children. The few people who enter the Club now have been using this screen for the past few weeks.
The number of people allowed indoors is severely limited, and will probably remain limited as mandated by the Governor, for quite some time. As we bring back fewer children to FitKids, and fewer members to the Club, we will likewise bring back fewer staff. Our standards will remain high, but we will do more with less, and always in compliance with the mandates. There will be subs in the classrooms, and supervision of activities in the Club. We’ll adapt as necessary, and as our community needs, but in a sane and thoughtful fashion.
In fact, there will be many, many changes to how we operate. As always, your health is paramount, as is that of our staff, and by extension our entire community. Some of the changes are obvious, and we will all have new responsibilities, such as wearing face masks and maintaining social distance. Some changes will be less obvious, such as new sanitation machines, procedures and products, and their more frequent use, plus additional changes of the air filters throughout. State guidelines currently exclude parents from entering classrooms. And so on. The list of changes is enormous, and guidelines have yet to be formulated for Clubs. We will share a lot of what we learn with you in the coming weeks, and as we reopen, but you can also check it out yourselves on official sites, including: https://www.covidguidance.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt381/files/files/inline-documents/guidance-universal.pdf
As things become more certain, we will continue to share the details with you. Meanwhile we wait.
Please continue to take good care of yourselves. Make the most of our free fitness offerings on FaceBook and Instagram. Check out the FitKids FaceBook page for free storytelling from our fab teachers. For those with serious dedication, come join our exercise classes at RVC Digital. Perhaps you’d like to start distance personal training with one of our world-class fitness professionals, where your first consultation is a free gift from us. Do you miss the pampering at the Salon and Barber? Try here bringing some of it home with you: http://www.spasalonbarberrvc.com/eminence/
Stay active, stay strong, stay healthy, and we’ll see you soon.
Elizabeth
May 3, 2020
Dear friends,
Looking at statistical information here https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america/new-hampshire it seems that last week’s prediction is bearing out: The mortality rate from C-19 is high right now in New Hampshire. It struck us as interesting that on Friday, Governor Chris Sununu issued a call to begin re-opening some businesses in two weeks time. Here is his official announcement: https://www.governor.nh.gov/news-media/press-2020/20200501-stay-at-home.htm
The publicly accessible places the Governor suggests we re-open first are mostly outside activities, with a couple of exceptions including, of all things, barber shops and hair salons. Some clients – – some of you, I mean – – have been reaching out to our hair stylists, asking to please take care of them, and soon. Right now we are in discussion about how and when this might be possible. Chris Sununu suggests May 11 as an opening date.
The strength of our community has always been dependent upon our biggest asset: Our people. What I am pondering now is how to keep members and clients served, while keeping our precious staff, and everyone in our community, safe. Solutions are not obvious.
The good news is that there has been a tiny team of non-furloughed staff working mostly from home since we closed on March 20. Together we have created new, digital programming, processed dry cleaning, loaned out fitness equipment, maintained the building and budget, and so much more. As always we aim to deliver our absolute best to our community. New programming is rolling out right now, including excellent live yoga airing for the first time tomorrow morning with RVC Digital members.
Much of our effort has gone to staying in touch with everyone, including members, clients, families and of course our staff. See us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheRiverValleyClub/posts/?ref=page_internal You can also join RVC Digital for even more programming here: https://rivervalleyclub.com/digital/
Please know you are welcome to reach out to me at E.Austin.Asch@gmail.com
Elizabeth
April 22, 2020
Dear friends,
Last we knew, both Vermont Governor Scott and New Hampshire Governor Sununu were discussing the re-opening of non-essential businesses in the coming weeks, perhaps as early as May 4th in New Hampshire. However, this week there was new information from a source even closer which has made a big impact on our decision about re-opening.
Local medical authorities report that although the surge in COVID – 19 cases is expected to be manageable, it will probably peak in a late-May-early-June timeframe. The surge is reported to be less than the worst predictions, because our community has been so good with social distancing, school closures, and non-essential business restrictions.
For this reason, we are no longer considering opening FitKids Childcare and the River Valley Club in May. Our earliest reopening date would be June 1, but we will have to reconsider in a couple of weeks when there is more data on the progress of the virus.
Please bear with us and stay tuned. As soon as spring temperatures assert themselves, we hope to consider some outdoor options.
See you on https://rivervalleyclub.com/digital/, https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheRiverValleyClub/posts/?ref=page_internal
and https://www.instagram.com/rivervalleyclub/?hl=en
Stay healthy and stay in touch.
Elizabeth
April 19, 2020
It has been exactly one month since we closed.
Later this week, we will be sending out four surveys. I expect there will be one for each of the following: FitKids Childcare families, RVC members, FitKids staff, and RVC staff. Although I expect that we have several weeks to plan, our skeleton team would like to know what your hopes and expectations are for the eventual day when we can re-open. Please keep an eye out for the survey!
Please also check out our Instagram and FaceBook pages for free fitness offerings, as well as posts from the Spa & Salon. Digital membership is also available. This week we hope to launch FitKids storytime, to compliment our Zoom classrooms. All of those things, as well as FAQs, or frequently asked questions, are available under the COVID-19 tab on our web sites.
Stay strong, stay healthy, and stay in touch.
<3
Elizabeth
April 12, 2020
To our community,
More than three weeks have passed since we were able to welcome you to FitKids and the River Valley Club, but it seems much longer than that. We miss you very much, and are hopeful that you and your loved ones are staying healthy by staying home.
Each day the birds sing a joyous dawn chorus. Bears completely ignore social distancing, emerging from hibernation to join deer, chipmunks, bobcats and others, despite the cool temperatures. Nature’s rhythm is reassuring as life has taken a different pace for us human beings.
Members of our community are joining together to work collaboratively and we are happy to be among them. This week I took delivery of many gallons of liquid soap from the Twincraft soap factory in Burlington, which were given as a gift to those providing childcare to the front-line, essential families of the Upper Valley. Delivering it yesterday was a satisfying errand.
There are others in our community who are struggling and in need. While working hard to conserve our resources, we have decided to make modest gifts to some of our local partners even now. Below is a list of the places we will support this month, and a little information about each one.
Happy Spring.
Elizabeth
WISE
For almost 50 years, WISE has supported survivors in times of stress and crisis. Even during these unusual and uncertain times, WISE remains in full support of survivors and their families. Call the crisis line at 866-348-WISE or chat online at wiseuv.org. WISE is available every hour, every day.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital
Gifts to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health COVID-19 Community Relief Fund will be matched dollar for dollar up to a total of $50,000 thanks to the generosity of the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation.
LISTEN
For many people in the Upper Valley who are living paycheck to paycheck, their ability to support themselves and their families is now in serious jeopardy during this national emergency. The virus also poses a significant threat to seniors who need food and other supplies. Today, LISTEN’s immediate focus is two-fold: 1) We are coordinating services for those that come to us for help, and 2) We are ensuring food is available at our pantry in Lebanon and at the community dinner hall in White River Junction.
Upper Valley Haven
The Upper Valley Haven works every day to support people experiencing poverty by providing food, shelter, education, and service coordination. During the COVID-19 crisis, we will continue to support these families and individuals, as well as anyone who may find themselves experiencing situational poverty. We have seen an increase in need and expect that to grow. Your financial support will allow us to provide hope and offer a sense of security in people’s lives during this challenging time.
April 9, 2020
FitKids Childcare is closed for now, but we are as committed as ever to serving our families and the people in the Upper Valley who need childcare.
“Child care is not delivered by a single coordinated system. To help families of essential workers find out what child care is available and determine what might work best for them during this time, Upper Valley Strong on [this past] Wednesday launch[ed] a hotline staffed by employees of the Lebanon-based FitKids Childcare.” Read the full article in the Valley News – HERE
From Mondays through Saturdays we are maintaining a telephone hotline, speaking with the families of essential workers who need childcare in order to perform their front line jobs. When people call, we can refer them to childcare providers, whether that be in-home care or at one of the centers that are still in operation. For those needing assistance to pay for childcare, we can refer them to the financial resources available in either New Hampshire or Vermont.
If you are a family of an essential worker classified by your state in need of childcare, or if you know someone who is, please reach out. We are here to help you find what you need.
Email us at OperationUVChildcare@Gmail.com or call us at (603)643-8650. We are here for you and your children.
April 6, 2020
In this crazy time, the MyZone company has shared an incredible offer with us to pass on to you, our members. RVC already sells the MyZone MZ-3 belt at a discounted rate of $99 (Regular price is $149). To keep people motivated to keep moving while social distancing, MyZone is discounting them to $69.99! If you’ve been contemplating getting a belt now is a really great opportunity to do so! The MZ-3 can be used anywhere and has 16 hours of memory so you can take a hike, or go for a run/walk, and track every heartbeat. You can use the app at home, perhaps while taking RVC Digital classes, to see how hard you’re working there as well. All you have to do is follow this link and the discount will already be applied. Use the belt now to stay motivated and then at the RVC when we reopen!
Note: After you’ve purchased a belt, you will need a Facility Code to connect it with RVC – That code is RVCUS001.
Questions about the MyZone? Email Myzone@RiverValleyClub.com
April 5, 2020
It’s been another busy week behind-the-scenes at the River Valley Club. Although the building remains closed, there are a number of us still working hard to give you what you have come to count on from us.
Have you had the chance to check out our many new remote fitness offerings? Most of our Personal Trainers are having great success working with you via what ever video platform is easiest. We even have some brand new clients – – perhaps those who secretly wanted to train before but were too shy to do so in front of everyone in our fitness room.
Please check out our Facebook page to see what might work for you. There you will find fitness tips and classes with some of your favorites including JK, Amy, Marie and Alex. In case you missed JK’s interview on Q106, you can still listen to it here: http://www.theqrocks.com/2020/03/12/coronavirus-covid-19/ – scroll all the way to the bottom of the page, and you’ll find the audio link.
As soon as the weather warms up, and if other conditions are right, we will be delighted to bring tennis lessons back. An outdoor court is a good place to practice social distancing! Watch for upcoming tips from our experts in the Spa & Salon via video. Stay tuned for more here, on Facebook and Instagram. Additionally, keep sending your requests and suggestions to ContactUs@RiverValleyClub.com.
We miss you. Thanks to all of you who have sent words of encouragement and support. Our aim is to continue to provide you the elite experience you have come to expect, no matter what. Our mission is to improve your life.
Double down on your commitment to your health. Stay strong, stay home, and stay in touch. We are here for you now and in the future. Please reach out.
Kind regards,
Elizabeth
March 29, 2020
There is a French word dépaysement which describes a complex set of human feelings, of not feeling at home or maybe even not knowing where home really is. There is no real antonym for this word, but during these strange days I feel a distinct sense of really knowing where home is. Our community has come together more strongly than ever, and we at FitKids and the River Valley Club are proud to contribute our part to the health and wellbeing of us all.
We are deeply touched by your desire to help support our employees in this time of need. Recent legislation can seem complicated so we are assisting employees who have seen a reduction in work to find access to these funds during the time that FitKids and the Club are closed. Our team (working from home) is trying to keep personal trainers and instructors as busy as possible supporting your fitness needs and on the payroll. As well, we are formulating a plan to take care of the family needs of the medical professionals and their support staff in our community, providing child care to them. As always, we bear in mind that taking good care of our team members makes it possible for them to take good care of you.
Memberships are still frozen
As a reminder, all existing memberships and recurring payments are frozen at no cost to you until the Club reopens. You may also check the website for updates; click on “Coronavirus” at the top, and select “Members Update Feed.” Here are some new programs we think you will like:
RVC Digital $50 membership
Beginning this Wednesday, April 1, RVC Digital will be offering 10+ LIVE classes per week through a private Facebook Live Group/Zoom. The classes will likely range from Forever Fit, to Pilates, to Cardio HIIT, to Strength Conditioning, and even Spinning (if you don’t have a bike you can do this class on whatever piece of cardio equipment you have!).
All classes will be taught by our own Certified Personal Trainers from their own remote locations. There will be a choice of classes every day, each lasting from 30 – 55 minutes. The live classes will also be recorded and available for you to do whenever it is most convenient.
For more information on RVC Digital classes click here www.RiverValleyClub.com/Digital to fill out a form and activate your $50 digital membership. This form will be sent to our team and we will contact you to collect credit card payment information.
Also starting on April 1, we will be offering LIVE Zoom classes for anyone who has an active CrossFit membership. We will start with 1 class/day and the more members we get the more classes we can add. No equipment is necessary, there will be multiple options available in every workout. You can sign up by emailing CrossFit@RiverValleyClub.com.
Equipment loan for Digital members
For all RVC Digital members, we have a very special offer available for a limited time only. We want to help you stay fit during your time away from us! We have put together the following fitness bundles of RVC gym equipment tailored to your needs and available for loan until May 1, just before we open back up to the public on May 4. This offer is aimed at those who do not have equipment at home:
General fitness bundle: includes pair of 8lb dumbbells and a red band
Medium fitness bundle: includes pair of 12lb dumbbells and a red band
Heavy fitness bundle: includes pair of 15lb dumbbells and a red band
CrossFit bundle for active wodify clients only: 1 barbell with clips and 1 set plates or 2 sets plates (with no barbell); 1 set dumbbells; 2 kettle balls
Pickup date for General, Medium, and Heavy bundles is Tuesday, March 31 between 11am-2pm, or April 1 between 8-9am. Return date is Friday, May 1 between 7-9am or Saturday, May 2 between 9-11am.
Pickup date for CrossFit bundles is Tuesday, March 31 between 2-4pm and Wednesday, April 1 between 11am-1pm. Return date is Friday, May 1 between 11am-1pm or Saturday, May 2 between 11am-1pm.
Each member who registers for a bundle will place a deposit on their Club account to be refunded to the account when the equipment is returned. Please return by May 2 so we can give you the refund! The deposit for General, Medium, and Heavy bundles is $200. The deposit for CrossFit bundles is $400.
Please email General Manager Janet.Fletcher@RiverValleyClub.com to reserve your bundle. Remember, due to extremely limited quantities this is offered on a first-come-first-served basis to RVC Digital members only. Good luck!
Virtual Personal Training
We want to make sure that we are providing you with the best possible experience while you are away from RVC. If you were training before we closed the Club, you can continue training with your Personal Trainer virtually – just reach out directly to them. If you have not trained with one of our world-class Personal Trainers before, we are offering a free one-on-one trial virtual Personal Training session.
Sign up by emailing Jennifer.Karr@RiverValleyClub.com, and she will get you set up with a trainer that aligns with your fitness goals.
On to the future
Our aim is to re-open on May 4. I will write to you every Sunday with tips and inspiration.
Please check out fitness tips with JK: https://www.facebook.com/TheRiverValleyClub/videos/240951270418126/
Or this class with Amy: https://www.facebook.com/123022251053965/videos/631147577668567/
Or these fitness tips with Alex: https://www.facebook.com/123022251053965/videos/567829407157842/
You can find more digital content on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Stay healthy, stay strong, and see you soon.
Kind regards,
Elizabeth
March 20, 2020
During this tumultuous time, River Valley Club team has done everything in our power to support your family and fitness needs. I am proud of the work we have done, and grateful for your recognition.
Last night our friends at Dartmouth-Hitchcock told us that limitations to testing capabilities across the state pose serious challenges. Consequently, for the foreseeable future the only way to reduce spread of the virus is through stringent limitations on community activity. We must insulate ourselves from one another in order to remain physically healthy.
Despite plans announced yesterday, I have now taken the decision to close our doors and send everyone home. We will reassess the situation the first week of April. All existing RVC memberships are now frozen at no cost to you.
This week while most of you have stayed away from the Club, we have been busy brainstorming how to deliver remotely the professional support upon which you have come to depend. Our strength flows from the creativity and synergy of the team, coupled with our ability to listen to you. Remote fitness programs are now open for business directly with your personal trainer (if applicable), and our amazing fitness professionals will be posting fitness tips on Facebook and Instagram while we are away.
Please let us show you how we can still be by your side, even while we are miles apart.
Stay healthy, stay strong, and see you soon at the Club.
Kind regards,
Elizabeth, Owner
March 19, 2020
Starting tomorrow Friday, March 20, 2020 the River Valley Club will be open by appointment only.
You will be able to schedule last-minute visits to the Club via the RVC app, which you can download here for Apple, and for Android.
Personal training clients will be contacted by their trainer or a member of the team, so that your normal fitness routine can continue if that is your preference. Other clients are already training in person at home with visits from the trainer, or via live interactive media. These options are available to all members.
Many group exercise classes are available either by appointment at the Club or via live streaming. Please check the RVC app for details. The number of live participants is limited so please be sure to reserve in advance.
The children’s swim lessons have been suspended until further notice.
A core crew of dedicated RVC professionals is working hard to create new, remote fitness options for you. These tools provide the quality on which you have come to depend, while making it possible for you to work out remotely from home. Some of these programs are already happening, please stay tuned for more information on our web site, social media and on the app.
Many of you have reached out to me and members of my team offering encouragement or making recommendations. We have been too busy to respond to all of you, but please know that we are listening. Taking care of you and our team members remains our #1 priority.
In the interest of maintaining strength for the times to come, today we announced plans to convert some of our employees to furlough status for a time period which we hope will be short. Our operations staff remains in place, working harder than ever before to sanitize, keep the air fresh, and deliver the safest environment possible for those who choose to come here.
The River Valley Club is here for you today and in the future. Thank you for your support.
Stay healthy, stay strong, and we’ll see you some time soon at the Club.
Kind regards,
Elizabeth
P. S. FitKids Childcare remains open for business.
March 16, 2020
FitKids Childcare and the River Valley Club remain open for business.
Here is some information you may find helpful. In the early days of March, the number of people coming in to work out was up about 150% over the same time last year. Beginning on March 11, our numbers started to decline dramatically. Yesterday the number of check-ins was down by 58%, and today looks to be similar.
This is good news. It means that for those of you who do wish to work out here, the Club is safer than ever. Although we have instituted a cap to the number of participants in a class, even marking the floor with a minimum of 8’ between people, classes are small because most people are staying away.
Your class instructors and personal trainers are working hard to bring you the ability to participate in classes and training sessions remotely. We are experimenting with our first live sessions today and will keep you posted via email, the app, and social media.
Last Friday, I wrote to you about the new cleaning and hygiene measures we are putting in place. Today we added additional protocols such as asking at check-in about symptoms, exposure to infected persons, and travel to hotspot locations. If you are at risk, please stay home. We can’t say that these will be the only restrictions that we may put in place. This is a dynamic situation. Restrictions are likely to become more strict.
Stay healthy, stay strong, and we’ll see you at the Club.
Kind regards,
Elizabeth Asch, Owner
March 13, 2020
Thanks to the diligent attention of members like you and our hard-working staff, I am happy to report that our community remains healthy. Please take a moment to read this email and learn about our latest steps in keeping the Club a safe haven for you to work out and protect your health through maintaining fitness.
You already know that we have installed more hand sanitizer stations and are providing extra wipes for equipment and other surfaces. Hand washing and hygiene notices appear throughout the Club to remind us all to wash, rinse, and repeat. These are the most critical of the new hygiene practices we have put in place in recent weeks.
Here are a few additional changes. Yoga mats and blankets have been taken out of circulation, as have the loanable MyZone belts at the front desk. You are most welcome to bring your own similar items from home, thereby protecting both you and other members.
We have closed the steam rooms, but the higher temperatures of the saunas enables us to keep them in use.
By mid-April, we will be using an additional, new overnight cleaning system. You can look it up here: https://www.cloroxpro.com/products/clorox/total-360/. The Clorox 360 Electrostatic Sprayer will improve our disinfectant process. Electrostatic spray surface cleaning is the process of spraying an electrostatically charged mist onto surfaces and objects.
Electrostatic spray uses a specialized solution that is combined with air and atomized by an electrode inside the sprayer. The spray contains positively charged particles that are able to aggressively adhere to surfaces and objects. Because the particles in the spray are positively charged, they cling to and coat any surface at which they are aimed.
For those of you who are personal training clients, please know that your trainer will now be using Available to Public in a spray bottle to keep the equipment fresh and clean for your use. This will be used on each piece of equipment you touch, at the time of use. The product itself is a broad spectrum anti-bacterial, virucide and fungicide and your trainer has been instructed in how to use it. Should you have reason to wish to remain at home, you will be able to keep your personalized training appointments by working one-on-one remotely, using whatever video platform you like. Just ask your trainer!
Our swimming pools and tubs remain open. This is a quote from the CDC.gov website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html “There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g., with chlorine and bromine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.”
Please know that your health and fitness, and that of our RVC team, is my #1 priority.
See you at the Club!
Elizabeth Asch
Owner
