The Safe Way To Return To The Gym During COVID-19

Gyms were some of the first businesses to close as governments took measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Now we are seeing a lot of communities starting to relax social distancing guidelines and the reopening of gyms will be a part of this in many places. 

After weeks of having to work out from home, you might be eager to slip on a pair of comfortable sneakers and head over to the gym. At this point, the only thing stopping you is the worry that it might not be safe. Beyond that, you want to know what you can do to prevent infection if you do go back to the gym.

Should You Go Back To The Gym?

It is understandable that people are eager to get back to the gym so they can resume their normal health and fitness routine. If you do hear that your gym is reopening, it is okay to go workout, but that does not mean that it is just as safe as it always was.

The virus hasn’t been entirely eradicated and it is still spreading.  Any time you share an enclosed space with other people, there will be risk. That is why many health experts are still cautioning people to avoid the gym if they can get good exercise at home or outdoors. 

Gyms will implement measures to protect members and staff, but a gym is a tricky environment where it will be difficult to prevent the spread entirely. If you are going to return to the gym, you are going to need to take some measures to protect yourself and others.

Protecting Yourself When You Return To The Gym

When your gym does reopen, you and your fellow fitness buffs are going to have to follow some measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus while still being allowed to enjoy a gym workout. The following are some of the things you will need to do to stay safe when you return to the gym: 

• Wear a Mask: Wearing a face covering might be uncomfortable when working out, but it is an important part of protecting others. They wear their masks to protect you and you wear your mask to protect them. 
• Off Hours: Try to schedule your workouts for times when there will be fewer people at the gym. Times like early morning and late evening can be good if you want to avoid a crowd.
• Distance: Gyms are likely to reopen with distancing policies but you will have to keep them in mind. Try to keep at least six feet between you and other people at the gym.
• Sanitize: Wipe down gym equipment before and after use. People are sweating and breathing heavy in the gym, so you want to be extra careful about sanitizing any piece of equipment you touch. 
• Avoid Group Activities: You should avoid any group workout or fitness class. These activities usually have people sharing a small space, so there could be an increased risk of infection.

Finally, you want to make sure your gym is providing a safe environment. There will be government guidelines for gyms to reopen, but different gyms are going to have different policies and there is no guarantee that every gym is going to follow the guidelines perfectly. 

Find out if your gym is limiting the number of people they allow in at one time and if they are enforcing policies for masks and distancing. Ask them about the types of sanitation protocols they are following and consider whether the gym has sufficient ventilation. If there are any issues with the gym’s policies or practices, you might want to consider getting your workout elsewhere.

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Written By:

Rae Steinbach is a graduate of Tufts University with a combined International Relations and Chinese degree. After spending time living and working abroad in China, she returned to NYC to pursue her career and continue curating quality content. Rae is passionate about travel, food, and writing for Taos Footwear.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.