Staying safe working out at the gym during COVID-19

Gym enthusiasts are eager to get back to working out as usual. But due to COVID-19, walking into your local gym has been curtailed. Depending on where you live, thousands of gyms have been closed for months during the coronavirus pandemic. In recent weeks, many states have gradually lifted the ban on gyms allowing people to once again, return to their routine workouts.

But how safe is it to resume your indoor workout or exercise class while the pandemic is beginning to ramp up once again?

Know your gym’s safety policies

Facilities such as gyms need to communicate to their customers their plan of how they will reduce the spread of the virus. This is first and foremost what you need to know before returning to work out.

Whether you work out on your own or in a group class, you likely will be in close proximity to others at some point while at the gym. What we’ve learned so far from this virus, is it’s spread easily mainly from person to person.  If you happen to be in close contact with others who are infected and you pick up any viral droplets from them such as if they cough or sneeze or if they touch items that you then touch, are the main pathways for infecting others.

Here are factors to consider and questions to ask if your gym is open for business but you have hesitations about returning to working out there:

·      Is the gym large enough to allow a healthy distancing from others of at least 6 feet or more? This helps significantly reduce the risk of virus transmission

·      Know your gym’s safety measures and policies. There should be posted on walls or on their websites how they intend to keep you safe to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

·      Does your gym indicate how they are cleaning and disinfecting after use of equipment? Will you be asked about your general health or recent travel when you use the facility and will your temperature be checked?  Are you required to wear a mask?

Staying safe when working out at the gym

If your local gym is open and you make the decision to go back to your regular exercise routine, here steps to take being as safe as possible from COVID-19:

·      Make sure equipment is properly cleaned

It was always imperative that before and after using gym equipment, to be clean. Now, it’s more vital than ever. Check with the owner/operator of your gym asking what disinfectants they are using, how frequently and are they patrolling to make sure users of the gym are practicing safety measure also.

·      Keep a healthy distance from others

Keeping your distance right now is important for reducing viral spread. Equipment such as treadmills, normally lined up in a row closely spaced together, should now have been separated at least 6 to 10 feet apart. If your gym does not have a plan in place to help visitors maintain social distancing, then you should not use that facility.

·      BYOS – Bring your own supplies

Now more than ever, bringing your own towel, workout mats, hand sanitizer, and water bottles, just makes sense. You have control over their cleanliness and contamination.  Fill your water bottle up at home without using the gyms water fountain. By using your own equipment, you will lessen the likelihood of a viral transmission.

·      Avoid workout classes of more than 10 people

Most gyms have set a limit on the number of people allowed to work out in classes together such as a yoga or aerobics class. Limiting class sizes is inconvenient and forces many to arrive early to get a spot. But, it helps eliminate a possibility of contact with others.  If you are not sure of your gym’s policies regarding class sizes, ask by calling beforehand.

·      Wash hands frequently and keep hands away from your face

Bring your own hand sanitizer and wash hands thoroughly when you’re done working out and again when you arrive home. If you are switching from one piece of workout equipment to another, wash hands in between each time.

Bottom line

Going the extra mile to take necessary precautions should result in a much reduced risk of contracting COVID-19 at a gym. If you are in a high-risk group or live with someone who is for the virus – over the age of 65 and /or have co-morbidities – consult with your physician on their recommendation of whether to risk going to a gym at this time or not.

In the meantime, take advantage of exercising outdoors through walking, hiking, biking, swimming or any other means of getting and staying in shape.

Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy.  Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.