You’ve been on lockdown for months and your gym is preparing
to open — but is it safe? A few guidelines may help you decide whether and how
you want to get back to the gym.
One reason gyms were closed was to avoid having too many
persons in the same, enclosed space. Keeping the equipment sanitized as people
move about was another challenge that kept the doors closed. Now that some gyms
are getting the OK to open, a few have decided to move everything outside —
which is a good thing when it comes to fresh air and plenty of space.
If your gym is only opening inside, you’ll find that some
may have created “pods” where individuals can work out. If there are no pods,
it’s still important to maintain that 6-foot distance from others. If you’re
joining an exercise group, be aware that a study showed that infection can
spread more rapidly among high-intensity fitness routines than in those that
involve slower movements, such as yoga.
If your workout routine is inside, make sure the room is
well-ventilated and that the gym adheres to the standard COVID-19 cleaning
protocols set up by your local health departments and the CDC.
SOURCES:
NPR
July 5, 2020
The
Daily News August 18, 2020
SF Weekly
July 30, 2020
CNBC
July 25, 2020