A Message of Hope – from Kevin Kennedy

When we were ordered to close our doors and retreat into “Shelter at Home” on March 19th we hoped it would only be for a month. Then we hoped for May 1st. Now we are hoping for June 15th. At that time, we had over 16,000 members and 320 employees, which represents about 6.5% of the San Luis Obispo County population. The Health Club Industry prides itself on being very “people centric” and “Our People” are critical to our Clubs success. I hope you all confidently come back to your home away from home when you are allowed.

I really related to a Nic Hayley article that I read in the Atascadero Colony Magazine: “We are not all in the same boat, but we are all in the same storm”. Some believe in conspiracy theories, while others have lived the fear of having the virus. Some have faith in God and know that He always has brought the miracle that turns evil things to the good, while others say the worst is yet to come. Some are out of money and have not qualified for assistance. Some are happily making more money on unemployment and with stimulus packages, while some are working their butts off on the front lines of “essential businesses”.

I must admit that I was a little depressed and deflated when I found out that the business that Barb and I built and maintained for the last 39 years was deemed “nonessential”. I felt the same way years ago when I found out that playing lineman on Cal Poly’s football team was not a “skilled position”. Who gets to make these determinations??? “We are all on different ships during this storm, experiencing a very different journey. Let everyone navigate their own route with respect, empathy and responsibility.”

Thank you all for your patience and hope you know that when we do reopen, any membership time or services you paid for and were not able to use during the closure, will be credited back to you in membership time or services.

While we have been closed our General Managers, Brett, Mark, Sean and our newest G.M. Keith in the Paso Robles Club have been organizing painting, sanitizing and rearranging. In addition cleaning crews made up of Members and Staff have generously volunteered their help. We want you to know how much we appreciate you. It really has touched our hearts having people step up to help us. We have also received so many kind messages praying for the health of KCF and committing to returning as soon as they are allowed.

When we can reopen, our General Managers have committed to being the Premier Cleanest Health Club in the County. To accomplish that, each Club is purchasing $5,000 – $10,000 in specialized floor cleaning equipment, sprayers and sanitizing apparatus’ to show our seriousness and commitment to the cause of this pandemic. We want you all to know that Kennedy Club Fitness is making that commitment to you.

I believe a huge congratulations is in order for San Luis Obispo County.
Today our County has only 258 confirmed cases and almost 90% have fully recuperated and as you know,  sadly, one death of one of our older citizens.
After hearing about the death toll in other countries and states such as New York, I believe this is a testament to all of you and the overall health of our SLO County communities.

I believe SLO County is the healthiest place in the world and this is proof. Whether it is because we are good at being quarantined or because we have incredible immune systems, the virus has not really threatened our County, and we should be celebrating that.

My father, who passed just after his 88th birthday in 2016, would have had a tough time during this Social Distancing order. You could say he was a bit of a “close talker”, but he was one of those guys who never knew a stranger. He taught me to shake a person’s hand and look them in the eye like they were the most important person in the world. It is a habit I am not going to be able to break and I have committed that sin too many times during this pandemic. I am sorry.

All employees and/or members who wish to wear a mask may do so.

We will be supplying masks for our Staff and we will be following all county and state mandates.  We understand there are still questions as to their effectiveness and there are studies about the negative side of wearing masks as well.

That said, you can be sure our Clubs will follow all safety standards and procedures and allowing for 6 feet social distancing. That is why we are leaving it up to your personal choice.

Health Clubs fall into the category of being a very social business. I know people are getting used to jumping rope and doing sit ups and push-ups in their garages, but the novelty is waning and most are chomping at the bit to get back to their fitness clubs. Gyms and Clubs have thrived because people like to “see and be seen” and be motivated with and by others when they are exercising. Just witness the explosion of Group Exercise formats over the last 30 years. The social and entertainment aspect of belonging to a Club is what drives the business.

This inherently is what has made KCF the business it is today.

I have heard, “we are all in this together” but we all have very different financial situations, feelings and fears that divide us. I also believe that the media thrives off our fear.

Here’s food for thought: Why do we not have the same fear of not being healthy as we do about getting sick? We can come back from this if we continually work on our immune system and stay together. As professionals in the Fitness/Health Maintenance Industry we know that we need to treat our bodies as a temple. Staying healthy is like taking a shower. We need to continually keep moving and challenging our “physical status quo” more than just once a week. We need to eat healthy, well-balanced meals. We need to stay strong by building muscle and bone density with resistance training. We need to keep our hearts strong with High Intensity Interval Training. And we know that vitamin C and D kicks butt on any virus, so load up on it.

It IS work, but let’s make it FUN. That is why we pray you will all return to YOUR Club as soon as we get the green light.
Our Personal Trainers and Fitness Staff are well trained and are the best in the business.
Our Front Desk and Maintenance Personal will all be prepared to make your return
a grand homecoming.
Our Group Exercise Team is planning to bring back the best of the best classes and
still follow the S.D. guidelines.
Our Aquatic Staff will have all our swimming pools and spas clean and perfectly balanced.
And at this point in time it looks like we can reopen our Kidz Club with all safety measures in place.

We have all been cooped up too long with the “stay at home order” and we need to release some positive energy back into the world.
We miss you and hope we will all be back together soon. Let us get over COVID-19 as we did the Hong Kong Flu in 1969 and every other flu since then.
You can be confident that we will do our best to provide a healthy and safe atmosphere.
Have faith and not fear. This too shall pass.

In the words of Paul McCartney:

“Let it be. Whisper words of wisdom. Let it be. There will be an answer. Let it be.”

All in GOOD health,
Kevin Kennedy