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Working out, whether at a gym or home, is good for your heart, brain, immune function, and the rest of your body. But the coronavirus outbreak has us wondering if it is safe to go to the gym or workout at all until it lasts. It has disrupted everything. As a precaution, schools have been closed down in several states in addition to other public places.
Institutions and individuals across the world are urging people to avoid traveling and practice social distancing. New guidelines may be announced as soon as tomorrow. Several people use the same machines or equipment, which makes you more vulnerable to Covid-19.
However, life doesn’t stop amidst pandemics such as corona virus. With a few precautionary steps, you do not have to give up working out or going to the gym or fitness studio altogether until the coronavirus scare lasts.
Should I exercise during the Coronavirus Outbreak?
You can and should take all the simple precautions to protect yourself from Covid-19. But in the end, you must be healthy to fight the virus effectively. For this reason, workout to boost your immune system.
Workout at home or the park where there aren’t many people around you if you feel a little anxious about going to the gym. Exercising will improve your mood in addition to equipping your body to deal with diseases better. Find out about FITCOACH – an AI enabled fitness coach that gives dynamic workout recommendations as per your needs and preferences. Get professional assistance through HD videos to workout at home.
How to Stay Safe from Coronavirus at the Gym
The idea is to protect the fellow gym-goer as well as yourself. Wearing a mask won’t protect you against the virus according to WHO experts. However, wearing gloves when lifting weights will prevent direct contact with the virus. It doesn’t communicate through the skin but mucous membranes like eyes, nose or the mouth. People tend to touch their faces more often than they realize and wearing gloves will prevent you from touching your face. Once you’re done lifting weights, you wash your hands. Wash your hands often instead of using the hand sanitizer.
You should do this even when we are not threatened by deadly viruses like the Corona. According to research, the equipment and machines in the gym tend to carry more germs than we think; dumbbells, barbells, rods, etc. have more germs on them than bathrooms and locker rooms. Think about it – bathrooms are cleaned more often than the weights.
It is not clear how long the virus lasts on equipment; it could be anywhere between 2 hours to 9 days. Therefore, you must ensure that the equipment is being sanitized and cleaned at your gym. Most gyms and fitness centers are disinfecting their equipment to ensure a sanitary environment. Wipe the equipment before and after use. If you use a towel to wipe your sweat, do not leave it around. If it comes in contact with germs on the equipment, you might be more likely to catch an infection.
Go for your gym workout when you know it won’t be crowded with too many people. The lesser the people, the lesser the possibility of contracting the virus. Avoid shaking hands with the trainers or your gym-friends. The same goes for high-fives and hugging. Wash your hands as soon as you reach the gym and wash them before leaving to ensure that you do not bring any germs and do not take any away with you. If you can, go for a workout a little late – like 10 in the morning or 9 in the night.
Of course, you take a shower after working out. But sometimes we delay it to have a bite or to do this or that. With the coronavirus outbreak, everything else can wait. Your protein-rich meal can wait for 10-15 minutes while you take a good shower. Although exercising is good for your health, your immunity goes down for a short period after the workout and you do not want to stay sweaty during this period.
Several doctors and experts across the world have advised social distancing to prevent the spread of Covid-19. While at the gym, maintain a distance of at least 6 feet while performing an exercise. Even if you’re alternating sets, maintain the distance.
If someone appears to have these symptoms, you must, once again, stay at least 6 feet away from them. The virus is transmitted through droplets that might come in contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth. These droplets can travel up to 6 feet - the distance you should maintain between yourself and a person who may be coughing or sneezing.
You will not be doing yourself or anyone else at the gym a favor if you go for a workout when you’re not feeling particularly well. Stay home and take care of yourself. Cold, cough, fever, runny nose, body ache are all symptoms that mean you should avoid working out. See a doctor at the earliest to find out if it is just a cold or coronavirus to get the best treatment possible.
Common Coronavirus Myths
- The virus can be transmitted only in hot and humid areas - it can be transmitted in all areas
- Cold weather can kill coronavirus - there is no evidence to support this statement
- Hand Dryers are effective in killing coronavirus - they are not
- Using the hand sanitizer will prevent the transmission of coronavirus - washing your hands often is the best way to avoid contracting coronavirus
- Coronavirus can be transmitted through mosquito bites - it cannot
- Ultraviolet (uv) disinfectant lamps kill coronavirus - they shouldn't be used to sterilize hands since they can cause skin irritation
- Spraying alcohol or chlorine on the body kills coronavirus - they will not kill the virus that may have already entered your body
- Pneumonia vaccines immunize against coronavirus - no previously used vaccines can protect againt coronavirus
- Garlic consumption prevents coronavirus infection - garlic has antimicrobial properties but there is no evidence to prove that it protects against coronavirus
