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Gyms and fitness studios were the first to be closed during the lockdown and have been missed sorely. However, the government has finally given the nod for them to reopen. However, safety remains a concern and we do not know what will happen once they open their doors once again. Of course, the gyms and fitness studios will have to adhere to the strictest guidelines to ensure that they do not become hotspots for the spread of COVID-19.
The number of people allowed in at a time will be limited, social distancing will still have to be observed, and you might have to wear a mask. The gyms will probably look very different when they reopen. Apart from the guidelines set by the government, gym owners will have to come up with plans that make working out safe for their customers.
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When to start going to the gym
Going anywhere when the pandemic is still at large is not exactly free of risk. You will have to accept it before you start going to the gym (or any place outside for that matter) if you want to concentrate on your workouts. However, life has to go on and you can't always stay at home. What you can do is find out whether your gym is taking all the necessary measures and if they are being actually followed.
You have to decide if the risk is worth it. It’s like opening your office or shop after the lockdown. Our knowledge of coronavirus is changing every day and you need to keep up with it. It is better to do home workouts if you are not totally convinced about revisiting the gym. You can take some time and see how it goes before you make the decision.
The biggest concern on revisiting gyms
A fitness center is one of those places where it is actually difficult to maintain distance. You may like to workout with a friend or a relative or need the assistance of a trainer, which would not necessarily happen without breaking the 6 feet rule. Also, wearing masks is indispensable, and working out while working out with it might not be comfortable or even easy. Also, you must keep in mind that the droplets that can spread the virus don’t reach beyond the usual 6 feet when the person breathes normally, which is not the case while working out. While there’s no official data on this, it might be a contributing factor.
Safety measures gyms ought to take
No matter how advanced your gym is, there are always spatial concerns. The gyms and fitness studios will have to place the machines at least 6 feet apart. You will have to make sure that it is done in your gym. Now, this will also mean that they may have to reduce the number of machines on the floor. Therefore, you will have to work around the ones available accordingly. The locker room facility might not be available at all, for that matter.
Some experts have expressed their concerns regarding the pathways as well; gym owners might have to come up with a way to maintain good distance in the pathways as well. Logically, the gym staff will have to follow strict policies that make these things possible. The shower and sauna facilities will be shut down. They might need extra staff to make sure that people do not crowd in the locker room or around machines.
What changes the gyms might have to make
First of all, gym owners will have to determine the number of people that can safely use the facilities at a time. Temperature checks before entering the premises will be a must although everyone with COVID-19 might not have a fever.
Wearing a mask or social distancing or both would be mandatory and they would have to come up with ways to enforce pertaining rules effectively. According to experts, gyms might mandate some sort of clearance from the doctor that the person does not have any coronavirus symptoms. People who have recovered from the disease might need to present a negative test result. For that matter, every visitor might need to get a negative test result before being allowed to use the facility.
Gym personnel will have to be vigilant about the cleanliness of the equipment and premises in general. They cannot rely on members to take care of that as it was the norm earlier. Dedicated people on the floor cleaning the equipment might be unavoidable.
What about group classes?
Some gyms and fitness studios conduct, say, Yoga classes or Zumba classes that people love. Social distancing might be easier in this regard since little to no equipment is involved in group workout classes. The number of people in a class will be reduced depending upon the space and time and the area will have to be cleaned thoroughly after each class. Some gyms might even make those classes virtual, which is the safest option. Workout from the comfort of your home with FITPASS-TV. For 1-on-1 classes check out FITPASS Personal Training.
