In March,gyms and fitness studios closeddue to thecoronavirus.
But what exactly would need to be done for gyms to reopen safely during the coronavirus pandemic?
Unfortunately, like many questions with the coronavirus, theres no clear-cut, one-size-fits-all answer.
Getty / Viviana Solar / EyeEm
There are a lot of gray areas with it, says Dr. Adalja.
When your gym reopens,shouldyou go back right away?
In the time of the coronavirus, going toanypublic place (including gyms) will not be risk-free.
And thats something youll have to be okay with if you do decide to go back.
Is it necessary, is it vital, is it worth the risk?
(OnestudyinEmerging Infectious Diseaseseven suggested transmission may occur up to 13 feet away in a hospital setting.)
Whatever your answer, confirm you choose the path youre most comfortable with.
What do health experts think should be done for gyms to reopen safely?
(Responses have been edited for clarity and length.)
SELF: Whats the greatest concern when it comes to gyms and fitness studios reopening?
Therecommended use of masksmay make it more difficult to exercise comfortably.
We dont know that for sure, but those are possibilities that might come back and create more problems.
SELF: What measures would gyms have to take to maintain social distancing?
A.A.: They would need to think: Do they have to space their machines farther apart?
Are they six feet apart?
Is that something they want to do?
The same is true in thelocker room.
Are they going to close off some of the lockers so people have more space between them?
- Those are types of things you would look at.
Gyms need to see to it that things are more than six feet apart.
Current distancing guidelines require staying six feet away from other people in all directions.
This would also require monitoring by gym staff to ensure that these policies were followed.
SELF: How do you think gyms cleaning procedures may need to change?
A.A.: They may need to be more vigilant about it.
And using it reasonably frequently is going to be important.
SELF: What policies would gyms have to change to reopen safely?
They may do temperature checks, but I think there is mixed data on how effective they are.
Not everyone who gets infected has afever,and people can take Tylenol to suppress the fever.
Its not ironclad, but there are places that do do that.
As for masksfor as long as gym members can wear a mask, they should.
SELF: What would need to be done for fitness classes to resume?
Some classes are harder to do that, so maybe they will remain virtual.
:Fitness classeswould have to implement the same guidelines [as the gym].
SELF: How can gyms verify theyre keeping their staff and personal trainers safe?
- But again, this is not black and white.
I think with one-on-one training, can it be done six feet apart?
And all those things require training, and not everyone has training.
Even wearing the simple gown or gloves is not a simple task.
C:P.: Measures would need to be taken to keep people six feet apart from one another.
I know that people have gotten creative and started doing training sessions using Facetime or other digital means.
- A.A.: These are all risk-perception issues, and theyre going to be different for each person.
I think they need to evaluate the situation based on their current conditions.
Do I havemedical conditions that put me at higher riskin a situation like this?
A second question would be, Do I have a specific need to go to the gym?
Is it necessary, is it important enough to risk getting COVID?
Getting out, getting exposed to other people, can also create more risk.
So what are gyms doing to keep their members safe?
Many gyms have already created policies to make their space safer for members when they do reopen.
Plus, the disinfectants they use will all come from the EPA-sanctioned list.
Personal trainers will practice social distancing, touch will be eliminated, and masks will be encouraged or required.
