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

[Motion-of-the-Ocean]

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.

Based upon my experiences at my gym:

1. While the staff is supposed to be periodically cleaning or sanitizing the equipment the truth is I have rarely witnessed it and then only any machines not being used; never the free weights. They seem to rely on the responsibility of the members which is of course a mistake since only half of them bother anyway either before or after using the equipment. I always, even before Covid, wiped off things even before using them since I know the kind of skanky slobs that frequent this chain. Since Covid, I generally avoid the free weights all together, but when I must I wipe down just the handle before and after, which is more than I've seen anyone else do.

2. Masks are not required when "actively working out", but only when entering the lobby or leaving, in the locker room or going from one piece of equipment or section of the gym to another. But this is rarely enforced and even if there is a strict employee at the desk there are plenty of members who will enter with one on and remove it as soon as they pass by them and never put it on again till they are leaving. Most employees don't even enforce that when the maskless enter or don't distinguish between those properly wearing a mask and those who don't (chin wearers and those that forget they have a nose). In fact I always thought the rule was stupid due to the fact of the "active working out" exception and the most risk to others comes when someone next to you is huffing and puffing (or even shouting and grunting) and spewing their bio-hazards far and wide. This is one of the reasons I find myself unable to use the cable stacks at times because that is where the maskless seem to congregate the most and it is impossible to stay for than a foot away from them.

3. No limit on member amount in my gym since we rushed into "Phase 2". Now that we have just entered "Phase 3", yes our sycophantic state governor has pretty much decided everything is back to normal, even if the reality on the ground does match the rosy projection.

Though I've been tempted more than once to give up the gym since both our leaders and the members no longer take Covid seriously (debatable if they ever did) I have been taking the risk since the alternative unfortunately is a loss of gains and health; I almost have no choice. Perhaps the biggest thing that pisses me off about the situation is not so much the chain refusing to take steps or enforce things, but so many members (mostly young guys) who won't man up and wear the damn mask; especially given the fact my wife and I can work out in one without complaint and have anywhere from 20-40 years on these muscle-bound snowflakes.

 

[Spike Baltar]

The responses of some people here is truly sickening and reveals why the United States sucks so bad when it comes to public health. "I'm healthy, f--k you" is a terrible policy. YES, your actions affect others in a respiratory disease pandemic, whether or not you believe so. The world would be better off without some of the anti-science narcissistic eugenicists that populate this thread.

 

[GoingOnABoeing]

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.

Well if you can make it out of the grocery store alive then the gym shouldn't be a problem. The stores are far more crowded with people in every aisle. And think of how many times those products on the shelf have been touched. Gyms also have custodians constantly cleaning. It's hard to keep a store that clean with all of the traffic they see. And for the most part people at the gym are in much better health.

 

[Spike Baltar]

Well if you can make it out of the grocery store alive then the gym shouldn't be a problem. The stores are far more crowded with people in every aisle. And think of how many times those products on the shelf have been touched. Gyms also have custodians constantly cleaning. It's hard to keep a store that clean with all of the traffic they see. And for the most part people at the gym are in much better health.

People need to stop with this cleaning bullshit. "Cleaning" is largely hygiene theater. How many times items have been 'touched' is largely of no consequence. This is not March. We have six months of data that show we know fomite transmission is not driving spread. We know of no outbreaks in an area traced back to takeout food, for instance. You get infected from breathing viral particles exhaled from an infectious person, typically during prolonged close contact. I am in a grocery store 15-20 minutes total, keep my distance from others as best I can, and am constantly moving through the store except at checkout. We also are not seeing outbreaks in an area traced back to people shopping at a grocery store. A gym is an entirely different environment, populated by people breathing heavily and you can be on one machine for half an hour, or in a free weights area for longer than that. How "healthy" a person thinks they are is of no consequence. They can still be an infectious person and pre-symptomatic.

 

[GoingOnABoeing]

People need to stop with this cleaning bullshit. "Cleaning" is largely hygiene theater. How many times items have been 'touched' is largely of no consequence. This is not March. We have six months of data that show we know fomite transmission is not driving spread. We know of no outbreaks in an area traced back to takeout food, for instance. You get infected from breathing viral particles exhaled from an infectious person, typically during prolonged close contact. I am in a grocery store 15-20 minutes total, keep my distance from others as best I can, and am constantly moving through the store except at checkout. We also are not seeing outbreaks in an area traced back to people shopping at a grocery store. A gym is an entirely different environment, populated by people breathing heavily and you can be on one machine for half an hour, or in a free weights area for longer than that. How "healthy" a person thinks they are is of no consequence. They can still be an infectious person and pre-symptomatic.

Well I consider my overall health and appearance a top priority. Going to the gym is also just as important to my mental health. I am not in a high risk group for complications and so the decision to go to the gym is easy for me. If it's your decision to stay home then I respect that and would never criticize you for it. Please give those of us who choose to go to the gym and enjoy our workout the same respect.

 

[Spike Baltar]

Well I consider my overall health and appearance a top priority. Going to the gym is also just as important to my mental health. I am not in a high risk group for complications and so the decision to go to the gym is easy for me. If it's your decision to stay home then I respect that and would never criticize you for it. Please give those of us who choose to go to the gym and enjoy our workout the same respect.

Absolutely. Just pointing out they are two different environments to thread readers.

 

[sd425]

I'm stealing the phrase "hygiene theater." People should calm down about whether or not people are wiping down the machines. It's a good public health practice in general, but we know now that surface transmission of covid is rare. Of course, that does not mean that gyms have no risks. And when did people start comparing gyms to supermarkets in terms of risk? I've seen that multiple times on this thread.

People need to stop with this cleaning bullshit. "Cleaning" is largely hygiene theater. How many times items have been 'touched' is largely of no consequence. This is not March. We have six months of data that show we know fomite transmission is not driving spread. We know of no outbreaks in an area traced back to takeout food, for instance. You get infected from breathing viral particles exhaled from an infectious person, typically during prolonged close contact. I am in a grocery store 15-20 minutes total, keep my distance from others as best I can, and am constantly moving through the store except at checkout. We also are not seeing outbreaks in an area traced back to people shopping at a grocery store. A gym is an entirely different environment, populated by people breathing heavily and you can be on one machine for half an hour, or in a free weights area for longer than that. How "healthy" a person thinks they are is of no consequence. They can still be an infectious person and pre-symptomatic.

 

[Clean Cut and Hung]

I'm stealing the phrase "hygiene theater." People should calm down about whether or not people are wiping down the machines. It's a good public health practice in general, but we know now that surface transmission of covid is rare. Of course, that does not mean that gyms have no risks. And when did people start comparing gyms to supermarkets in terms of risk? I've seen that multiple times on this thread.

I’m not sure if your comment was in reference to my questions or not. I was just curious as to what people are seeing at their gyms. I agree there does not appear to be a lot of data to suggest surface transmission and infection. And I agree, if there were data, gyms would be a place anyone could count on for a high degree of disinfecting efficacy.

 

[Spike Baltar]

I'm stealing the phrase "hygiene theater." People should calm down about whether or not people are wiping down the machines. It's a good public health practice in general, but we know now that surface transmission of covid is rare. Of course, that does not mean that gyms have no risks. And when did people start comparing gyms to supermarkets in terms of risk? I've seen that multiple times on this thread.

Its been widely used as a talking point to justify lifting restrictions on other types of businesses/gatherings. 'People can go to Walmart, so they should have no problem going to [bars] [gyms] [parties]...'

 

[sd425]

It wasn't.

Back before gyms in Los Angeles closed because of the summer surge in cases, 95% of people were following most if not all of the guidelines. I try not to get too annoyed by those who don't, like the guy who would take off his mask whenever he would talk loudly on his phone. (Why didn't he just step outside to take the call?) I've since relocated to a small town on the east coast, and the local YMCA is usually empty because it has an older clientele.

I’m not sure if your comment was in reference to my questions or not. I was just curious as to what people are seeing at their gyms. I agree there does not appear to be a lot of data to suggest surface transmission and infection. And I agree, if there were data, gyms would be a place anyone could count on for a high degree of disinfecting efficacy.

 

[MilfBanger78]

Eh yrs before this gimmick we all wiped our machines down anyways. Hell my fave gym, old-school as fuck, the owner would kick ya out if u didnt., shit he'd kick ya out if u didnt put ur weights back lol

 

[Saitama]

I went to gym for a few years and I am willing to start again.

 

[nudebodybuilder]

my gym.-mask on all the time. whatever you use and sit on, wipe it down. Noone wipes down the plates, only handles, and bars.

 

[223790]

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.

The plus locker room just reopened at my Y. The steam room is closed, but the open communal showers are available for use. The hot tub is open in the locker room, but it's only one person at a time unless another person is in your social bubble. Even then, it's only 2 guys max allowed. I never use the hot tub, but I do miss the steam room. I completely understand why it's closed though. I'm just thankful to be able to take a shower after a workout now. Gyms were allowed to reopen back in July, but it was just a couple of weeks ago that I could take a shower after exercise. They have only closed 3 of the 8 shower heads in the plus locker room open shower to ensure distancing. I was hoping this would be the case as my Y finally reopened a month ago, but kept the plus locker room closed for renovations until a couple of days ago.

We were allowed to use the regular locker room a couple of weeks ago which still has a couple of open shower heads, but also has 3 stalls. It has closed shower heads as well to ensure distancing (1 stall 1 open). With the renos going on in the plus locker room for almost a month, I was worried they were gutting the open shower to replace it with stalls. I have seen this happen at other gyms which totally ruined the atmosphere and dynamics of the locker room.

 

[Spike Baltar]

Just went back yesterday. Local area spread has been controlled and risk level has been announced as 'low.' Everybody's wearing a mask and the gym isn't very packed. I've gained some Corona flab and a little loss of muscle tone I'd like to get back. This was after coming back from the shower. The locker room was depressingly empty. No sauna or steam room obviously, which I'm betting they are finding out has dramatically affected attendance as these were very popular and the steam room window is within view of this locker.

 

[cjohncummings]

Looking good to me. Sexy!!

 

[longstroke7]

I sunk $1500 and got a weight bench, rack, 7 foot bar, and an EZ curl bar, 45, 35, 25, 10 lb plates, a dip station and some 45 lb dumb bells. I'm just waiting on my bar clamps to be delivered and I will begin to rebuild my body after a 7 month lay off from the gym. I cannot wait to do deadlifts.

Infections are on the rise in my state after things reopened, I figured spending money on my own set up is the best and safest way possible to work out without having to be around other people.

 

[palakaorion]

A relative's spouse visited a gym a few weeks back they hadn't been to in a while. Discovered the owner/manager/whatever thought masks and protocols were a joke. Surprise, brought the Rona home to their spouse and offspring.

TL;DR: be careful and selective and walk.the.fuck.out if they aren't taking it seriously.

 

[Tight_End_SC]

I think many are going to do more home workouts and stay out of the gyms for a while. I miss going to mine, I miss the weights and hanging with my buds in the sauna after 2 hours of cardio & lifting. Not going inside yet though.

 

[longstroke7]

My clamps came in the mail so I did chest, biceps, and triceps. Felt funny at first but once I hit the middle of my workout my muscle memory kicked in and I felt myself back in the groove. Tomorrow will be deadlifts.

I can't tell you how much being able to work out again for the first time in months has done for my mental health today.