Have You Been Or Would You Go Back To The Gym?

[WilliamG]

Gym + Masks = Politics... There must be a better way forward.

 

[MrTMT]

So I went to another YMCA in middle of last week, this particular branch of YMCA has 9 locations spreads out all over the local area and allows its members to use interchangeably, which means you paid your membership at one location, but still able to use another YMCA location.

At this particular one, I've noticed they've a sign in front of the entrance as you're entering the workout area, which mentions that you must wear a face cover on the floor until you reach your workout spot or equipment. Then the mask can be taken off. Also, it mentioned that for those who do free weight lifting, only the spotter must have face cover, the one who do the lift don't have to wear face cover while lifting.

It really confusing to me as I'm not sure how the rules at that location are different than other YMCA, which I workout regularly, required to have face cover on at all time.

 

[Big_a_20]

The only thing I miss about my gym is the squat rack and the sauna so probably won’t be going back for a while. I know it’s just gonna be filled with dumbasses that won’t clean right, still leave their weights all over the place, and equipment hogs that will stay in one spot because they feel it’s safer. I think everyone should workout regardless of what your goals and what you look like/want to look like but there should be gyms for serious people only. That would be the only gym I’d go back to. For now I’ll stick to the park with my resistance bands.

 

[223790]

My Y is still closed even though gyms were allowed to reopen in mid July where I live. The infection numbers are only about 100 per day now. Out of desperation to start working out again, I joined a corporate gym. Everyone has been pretty good there regarding following procedures to ensure safety. You have to book online before you go in to ensure entry. You can also drop in and take your chances that the gym won’t be at capacity when you arrive. If it is, you’re out of luck. Most people book online. Only once I have seen a drop in line up. I’m sure they realized pretty quickly that it’s a better idea to book online. You have to wear a face mask at all times unless you are working out at a piece of equipment. You also have to wipe down the equipment before and after you use it. Some machines are closed off to ensure safe distancing. In the locker room, lockers are closed off to also ensure distancing, and the sauna and showers are closed. You have one hour to work out. About 15 minutes before the end of the hour, they walk around with a sign warning you only have 15 minutes to finish up. They also do a five minute warning before the end of the hour. The gym is then closed for an hour to do a deep clean. The whole time the gym is open, they have staff members walking around continually cleaning everything. I have been going for six weeks now, and I’m so thankful to be back. I’m feeling much better physically and mentally by being there. I found out that my Y will reopen for sure in two weeks. I would imagine they will have the same procedures in place there.

 

[MilfBanger78]

Gyms have been open since June here

Eh the MSM said the riots didnt spread corona so

 

[MarcoJock]

My Y is still closed even though gyms were allowed to reopen in mid July where I live. The infection numbers are only about 100 per day now. Out of desperation to start working out again, I joined a corporate gym. Everyone has been pretty good there regarding following procedures to ensure safety. You have to book online before you go in to ensure entry. You can also drop in and take your chances that the gym won’t be at capacity when you arrive. If it is, you’re out of luck. Most people book online. Only once I have seen a drop in line up. I’m sure they realized pretty quickly that it’s a better idea to book online. You have to wear a face mask at all times unless you are working out at a piece of equipment. You also have to wipe down the equipment before and after you use it. Some machines are closed off to ensure safe distancing. In the locker room, lockers are closed off to also ensure distancing, and the sauna and showers are closed. You have one hour to work out. About 15 minutes before the end of the hour, they walk around with a sign warning you only have 15 minutes to finish up. They also do a five minute warning before the end of the hour. The gym is then closed for an hour to do a deep clean. The whole time the gym is open, they have staff members walking around continually cleaning everything. I have been going for six weeks now, and I’m so thankful to be back. I’m feeling much better physically and mentally by being there. I found out that my Y will reopen for sure in two weeks. I would imagine they will have the same procedures in place there.

Thanks for posting this @AG08 .

Here’s what I don’t get. From what I understand, the virus is airborne, spread through droplets. It is not thought to be spread via surfaces.

1)The amount of surface cleaning seems like overkill — wipe off bench, wipe off dumbbells, do three sets, wipe off dumbbells and re-rack... select next set of dumbbells, wipe off, do three sets, wipe off, re-rack, wipe off bench, move on to next part of workout.
2) Not requiring the person lifting to wear a mask when that’s one of the greatest opportunities to expel droplets.

I’m sure your gym is doing everything they can to create a safe environment, make their employees and members feel comfortable and limit their liability. It just seems like theatre.

BTW, I’m still doing garage workouts, including remotely with my workout bud, and runs outside. I don’t plan to go to a gym at least until first part of 2021 — and that’s subject to change.

 

[223790]

Thanks for posting this @AG08 .

Here’s what I don’t get. From what I understand, the virus is airborne, spread through droplets. It is not thought to be spread via surfaces.

1)The amount of surface cleaning seems like overkill — wipe off bench, wipe off dumbbells, do three sets, wipe off dumbbells and re-rack... select next set of dumbbells, wipe off, do three sets, wipe off, re-rack, wipe off bench, move on to next part of workout.
2) Not requiring the person lifting to wear a mask when that’s one of the greatest opportunities to expel droplets.

I’m sure your gym is doing everything they can to create a safe environment, make their employees and members feel comfortable and limit their liability. It just seems like theatre.

BTW, I’m still doing garage workouts, including remotely with my workout bud, and runs outside. I don’t plan to go to a gym at least until first part of 2021 — and that’s subject to change.

So far so good at my gym. That being said though, the infection rate is extremely low where I workout (less than 10 active cases in the entire city of about 180,000). I know that there has been an outbreak at some of their locations in larger cities though. The provincial number has been going up to about 185 cases per day, but it's mostly limited to 3 densely populated areas. For a province twice the size of Texas land wise and with a population of about 15 million, those numbers are still relatively low. With the number of infections increasing, the death rate is low (no new deaths for the last few days) and the number of people being hospitalized is still very low. Most cases seem to be coming from illegal large social gatherings ignoring safety protocols especially among younger people who will most likely survive it and not need hospitalization.

For me, I need the gym for the following reasons:

1. To get out of the house. I've been working from home since March and will be until the end of 2020. It looks like the first four months of 2021 will be the same.

2. Motivation. I have a brutal time getting motivated to workout at home. This is probably due to a lack of equipment and not being in an environment conducive to exercise.

3. Socialization. Being at home most of the day by myself (my wife is working outside of the home all day) is very lonely. It's nice to have people around even if I'm not talking to them and we are keeping a distance.

My Y has now reopened, and I will be returning to classes there next week. The locker room and showers are closed until October, and the steam room and towel service will be suspended indefinitely. What amazes me though is they are allowing the hot tub to be open with "social distancing" measures in place. I don't know how that will work. I stopped using it before COVID, and I definitely won't be using it when it opens next month. I will however use the showers. At my current gym, the showers are closed. I hate not being able to shower right after exercise. I sit in my own funk the whole way home, and by the time I get home the exhaustion of working out has hit me, so I don't feel up to hitting the shower until later after I have rested a bit. Gotta admit that I miss my naked time with the guys after working out as well. I chat with a lot of guys at my Y post workout especially in the open shower.

 

[MarcoJock]

So far so good at my gym. That being said though, the infection rate is extremely low where I workout (less than 10 active cases in the entire city of about 180,000). I know that there has been an outbreak at some of their locations in larger cities though. The provincial number has been going up to about 185 cases per day, but it's mostly limited to 3 densely populated areas. For a province twice the size of Texas land wise and with a population of about 15 million, those numbers are still relatively low. With the number of infections increasing, the death rate is low (no new deaths for the last few days) and the number of people being hospitalized is still very low. Most cases seem to be coming from illegal large social gatherings ignoring safety protocols especially among younger people who will most likely survive it and not need hospitalization.

For me, I need the gym for the following reasons:

1. To get out of the house. I've been working from home since March and will be until the end of 2020. It looks like the first four months of 2021 will be the same.

2. Motivation. I have a brutal time getting motivated to workout at home. This is probably due to a lack of equipment and not being in an environment conducive to exercise.

3. Socialization. Being at home most of the day by myself (my wife is working outside of the home all day) is very lonely. It's nice to have people around even if I'm not talking to them and we are keeping a distance.

My Y has now reopened, and I will be returning to classes there next week. The locker room and showers are closed until October, and the steam room and towel service will be suspended indefinitely. What amazes me though is they are allowing the hot tub to be open with "social distancing" measures in place. I don't know how that will work. I stopped using it before COVID, and I definitely won't be using it when it opens next month. I will however use the showers. At my current gym, the showers are closed. I hate not being able to shower right after exercise. I sit in my own funk the whole way home, and by the time I get home the exhaustion of working out has hit me, so I don't feel up to hitting the shower until later after I have rested a bit. Gotta admit that I miss my naked time with the guys after working out as well. I chat with a lot of guys at my Y post workout especially in the open shower.

Ah, yes, I forgot that you are in Canada!

I agree re the vibe in the gym is motivating.

Showering right after working out is the best time. It’s refreshing. It’s also nice to have that clean feeling with clean clothes on knowing you just had a great workout — it’s a feeling of renewal. I really miss my naked time with my workout bud in the locker room and steam room, but am glad we’ve stuck to our workouts virtually.

 

[OscarM]

I went back almost as soon as they reopened - and am going more frequently than ever. People are courteous and wiping things down. I miss showering and steaming there - it was part of the routine and adding a drive home inbetween just breaks the flow of things.

Thanks for posting this @AG08 .

Here’s what I don’t get. From what I understand, the virus is airborne, spread through droplets. It is not thought to be spread via surfaces.

1)The amount of surface cleaning seems like overkill — wipe off bench, wipe off dumbbells, do three sets, wipe off dumbbells and re-rack... select next set of dumbbells, wipe off, do three sets, wipe off, re-rack, wipe off bench, move on to next part of workout.
2) Not requiring the person lifting to wear a mask when that’s one of the greatest opportunities to expel droplets.

The virus, like others, can live on surfaces but it's not clear for how long. Keep in mind that droplets can land on a surface. It may seem like overkill to wipe before and after but if it gives me and others peace of mind, I am going to do it. I also appreciate it when other people do it too, so it's best to set an example. We are keeping each other safe so we can all continue to workout and hopefully avoid/delay another shutdown.

Also, I read that it's entirely possible to workout with your mask on because mask doesn't affect oxygen/CO2 levels. I have done that and I'm fine.

 

[deleted4705381]

Gyms reopened on the 1st. Good to be back in a full size gym!

 

[docsavage]

been going since it opened. No showers which i miss but not a big deal. The place seems to have less people than usual but not totally empty.

 

[nudebodybuilder]

Mask on - kill the weights. No mask no service and for good reason. Do I like them? Hell no, but if it means keeping myself and others safe why the "F" not.

 

[Susanonyc]

I’ve been back a few times so far... the gyms are pretty dead, which is quite surprising for any nyc gym.

It’s actually quite nice to get to work out without so many people being around and taking up all the equipment all the time. I just wish showers would reopens. Saunas being closed is understandable, but showers? Ugh

 

[deleted5493]

Unless you have serious health problems or live with elderly persons, there is nothing to fear from this. Stop letting scare tactics control your life.

 

[GoingOnABoeing]

You only have to wear a mask when entering or leaving the gyms in my area. The gym has always provided cleaning wipes for the equipment. But some people come in spraying stuff all over the equipment and chokes out everyone around them. That shouldn't be allowed. If you are that scared then you need to stay home.

 

[1342602]

if i wanted to go gym i would deffo go. The supermarkets have been open the entire time with thousands of customers in and out yet ive not heard of 1 supermarket cv outbreak not a single 1.

 

[sd425]

Think about infection as the result of both exposure to the virus and time. The longer you spend time in an enclosed space, the more virus you are exposed to. Trips to the supermarket are not very risky because you are in and out in 15 minutes or so. That's why there have been fairly few outbreaks linked to them. (But it's a different story for supermarket employees and other essential workers, who have caught the virus at work and brought it home to their families.) The gym has more risk for infection than a supermarket because people are in there for a longer period of time and because people are breathing more heavily there. And just for the record, I have gone back to the gym.

 

[Plasticroad1]

Been going to the gym since the day it opened in June and loving every day since. Everything is open except the sauna and some of the lockers. Working out is some of the best medicine!

 

[babyoiledger]

Mask on - kill the weights. No mask no service and for good reason. Do I like them? Hell no, but if it means keeping myself and others safe why the "F" not.

great standards of hygiene and layout here in Ireland too.... all members very clean with wipes and alcohol afterwards.. I hope they don't ever close again for 4 months. Everyone making a real effort.

 

[Clean Cut and Hung]

A few questions:

1. How does wiping equipment work? I’m thinking free weights, e.g., weights for barbells and dumbbells. Are people wiping the full bar? The weights that go on the bar? Are they wiping down the full dumbbell or just the handle?
2. Obviously this varies by locale, but what are the rules for masks? I’ve seen a) all of the time; b) most of the time except for strenuous exercise; and c) not needed.
3. Are gyms limiting the number of people in? It sounds like in Florida everything is “back to normal.”

Gyms really have it tough. Wanting to promote health and wellness while balancing local health guidelines, members on one end who want an operating room level sterile environment and members on the other end who don’t want to be bothered by anything. The economic models of a lot of gyms was precarious before the pandemic. It will be interesting to see which ones survive.