Getting Back To The Gym Safely and Effectively

We've talked extensively here about how important exercise can be for maintaining health and independence for people as they get older. Most large gym facilities and recreation centers rely on crowding people together in rooms to maximize space usage. Maintaining proper social distance is difficult in these facilities except in their largest rooms. Plus, increased exertion increases the travel distance of the expiratory plume on every breath, so even six feet may not be enough in a significant intensity workout class.

Workout either Outdoors or In a Private Setting

The CDC guidelines for gym usage recommends limiting indoor exposure to other people:

Prepare before you go

• Use options for online reservations and check-in systems when available.
• Look for any extra prevention practices being implemented by the facility, such as new plexiglass barriers, staff wearing cloth face coverings, and closing of shared locker room space.
• Be prepared that locker room access may be limited to the restroom area only, prohibiting the use of shower and changing areas.

Limit activity indoors, especially group activities

• Seek facilities with outdoor space or options for virtual classes and training sessions as much as possible.
• Limit attendance at indoor group training sessions.  If you do attend such a session, maintain as much distance as possible between yourself and other individuals, and use cloth face coverings if they do not interfere with your activity. If you need to be indoors, open windows to increase airflow throughout the space.

Use social distancing and limit physical contact

• Maintain at least 6 feet of separation as much as possible in areas that may lead to close contact (within 6 feet) among other people, such as weight rooms, group fitness studios, pools and saunas, courts and fields, walking/running tracks, locker rooms, check-in areas, parking lots, and routes of entry and exit.
• Don’t shake hands, give high-fives, do elbow bumps, or touch others because close contact increases the risk of acquiring COVID-19.

Take extra precautions with shared equipment

• Ensure equipment is clean and disinfected. Wipe down machines and equipment with disinfecting wipes and use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol before using machines.
• Do not share items that cannot be cleaned, sanitized, or disinfected between use, such as resistance bands and weightlifting belts.

Wear a cloth face covering

• Wear a cloth face covering when interacting with other people to minimize the risk of transmitting the virus.
• Wearing cloth face coverings is most important when physical distancing is difficult and when exercise type and intensity allows. Consider doing any vigorous-intensity exercise outside when possible and stay at least 6 feet away from other participants, trainers, and clients if unable to wear a face covering.
• If possible, wear a face covering when walking on an indoor track or when doing stretching or low-intensity forms of yoga indoors.
• Wash your hands before adjusting your face covering—review information about proper use, removal, and washing of cloth face coverings.

Private Sessions are Your Best Bet For The Current Gym Environment

Our studio meets or exceeds current guidelines for safe exercising both for the immune system and the musculoskeletal/cardio-respiratory systems:

• Only one trainer and one client in the studio
• All equipment is sanitized between clients
• Wearing of gloves and masks by all parties is mandated
• Workouts are of moderate intensity for 30 minutes of continuous activity
• Airflow is constant and social distancing is practiced

Now is a great time to consider getting back into exercise!

Contact us via call or text 240-630-0298