Healthy Nature

This article is about the main concerns with Coronavirus and the Gym.

Since we are still under a worldwide health crisis, especially in the United States, one of the biggest questions people ask is: is it okay to go to the gyms?

Gyms are opening around the country. Some have already been in operation for the last few weeks or months. Lots of people are back to working out at the gym regularly.

While gyms are taking precautions to reduce the risk of spreading the virus in gyms, it is a bit unclear just how effective these tactics are. Tactics like:

• Reducing the number of visitors allowed into the gym at the same time
• People cannot workout right next to each other
• Six feet distance between everyone always
• Employees are cleaning more
• And patrons should wipe down equipment before and after use.

Taking all these measures is helpful. However, it is not a surefire way to ensure you or someone else will not pick up the virus at the gym. Gyms are notorious breeding grounds for germs, bacteria, and illness. People in an enclosed place sweating, whipping their faces, and touching lots of equipment tend to spread viruses. If you are not careful, touching all of those surfaces and then rubbing your face to wipe away sweat, can cause the transfer of illness.

Theoretically, everyone who goes to the gym needs to be wiping down anything they use when done with it, but this presents two main issues:

1. How well is each person cleaning the equipment they use? Are they cleaning the surface thoroughly?
2. Is every single person cleaning dumbbells and treadmills after they use it? Are people forgetting or choosing not to follow the rules?

Of course, you cannot be sure people follow the guidelines and put in their due diligence to clean the equipment they are using to the proper degree. Another problem you may face at the gym is people who are not maintaining the appropriate distance apart.

Coronavirus and the Gym, ways you can still stay safe

There are things you need to think about and take into consideration before you choose to go back and workout in the gym. But this does not mean that going to the gym is terrible, or that you will get COVID19 from the gym.

There are quite a few ways you can take precautions at the gym and stay safe and healthy. Of course, it is always up to how you implement these things:

• First and foremost, make sure you take the initiative to wipe down all the gym equipment you use before you touch it. You cannot trust the person who used it before cleaning it at all or cleaning it sufficiently. Taking the extra step to clean it yourself, and clean it thoroughly, will kill any lurking germs that may be sticking around.
• Make sure you are always staying six-foot away from people.
• Avoid the crowded areas of the gym.
• Avoid places like the bathroom and the locker room. These places tend to be smaller and enclosed, meaning germs have more of a chance to circulate these areas.  
• Stay in large and open spaces with proper ventilation. You will have less chance of getting too close to someone, plus cleaner air to breathe.
• When you leave the gym, sanitize your hands before you touch anything in your car to stop the possible spread of germs.
• It is also good to use a sanitizing wipe to clean your phone if you used it while you were at the gym.  

Taking these few precautions when you visit the gym is fantastic to keep you and the people around you, healthy and safe.

Approach the relationship between coronavirus and the gym in a smart and cautious way  

 This perspective will ensure you can get yourself back to a great workout routine without risking your health.