It might be the fact that you are struggling with weight gain during the pandemic and would like to hit the gym. Or are you concerned about the fact that working out indoors in a sweaty and hot fitness center might make you catch Covid in the long run?
We have been informed by science that there is no possibility for novel coronavirus to spread through perspiration. Moreover, according to a recent study conducted in Norway, it has been found that there is no increase in Covid infections amongst the fitness enthusiasts who wash their hands on a regular basis and also maintain social distancing.
So, does it imply that it will be safe to hit the fitness center instead of working out at your own house? Not exactly.
The Norwegian study happened in a location where there were only a few cases of coronavirus. However, it is possible that fitness centers which are situated in locations having high rates of Covid might be riskier.
According to Grant Baldwin, who happens to be the co-leader of the Community Interventions of the CDC, there are going to be challenges in areas such as group fitness studios and weight rooms where there will be close physical proximity.
For instance, in April, South Korea linked an outbreak of coronavirus to several fitness dance classes in the country. As per a research letter in the August issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases last year, intense physical workouts in crowded areas have the potential of increasing the risk of infection significantly.
These types of concerns regarding Covid are actually shifting attitudes regarding participation in fitness centers. Approximately 25% of Americans who used to work out at least 2 times every week assert that they are never going to visit a gym once again, according to a recent report.
In the US, fitness centers in North Carolina, as well as some particular counties of Pennsylvania, are closed right now. While gym reopening has been paused by Arizona until July, the governor of California has rolled back the reopening of gyms because of fresh spikes in Covid cases. However, the majority of the states have permitted the reopening of fitness centers and gyms with different types of safety measures at present.
Before going
While deciding what exactly will be safe for your family during the pandemic, it has been suggested by Baldwin to check your regional, state, as well as community orders and also ask yourself several core Covid 19 questions which we have mentioned below.
Several questions to ask
• Are you more than 65 years of age or struggling with a severe condition? The risk of becoming infected increases with certain medical conditions as well as age.
• Are you in addition to those with whom you are going to interact following the identical steps for preventing infection, like washing hands and wearing masks?
• Is it possible for you to maintain a distance of 6 feet from the others at the fitness center?
• How frequently are you going to share items? Sharing cannot be considered to be caring at the time of a pandemic. Refrain from sharing items including barbells, free weights, yoga blocks, and resistance bands. In case you need to share, make sure to clean them and also disinfect them between every usage.
• What is the present level of coronavirus spread in your locality? In fact, it will be safer for you to venture out in case the level of community transmission is low.
Prior to visiting the fitness center, call the authorities and inquire whether online check-ins or reservations are imperative. In some localities, gym capacity has been limited to approximately 70% at present.
Apart from this, take into consideration the class size as well as your workout setting. Here, we like to mention that working out at your own house will be the safest in case you are not able to maintain a distance of 6 feet at the gym.
You may likewise go for one-on-one workouts in a studio with a trainer while following Covid safety measures. During this pandemic, high-intensity workout classes in confined areas are quite risky.
In case you are wondering whether it will be imperative for you to take a mask along with you at the gym, the answer will be yes. However, you might find it difficult to breathe while wearing a mask and this might limit the intensity of your workout as well.
For safeguarding yourself from being infected by the virus while you are at the gym, the following guidelines have been recommended by the World Health Organization.
• Never go to the fitness center in case you are sick.
• Indoor group classes should be limited, particularly the vigorous ones like cycling and Zumba.
• Stick to social distancing regulations while entering and also exiting the fitness center. The same should be maintained while using the pool, locker rooms, running or walking tracks, and other shared locations.
• While increasing your workout intensity, make sure to increase distancing as well.
• Put on a face covering while entering plus exiting the fitness center, or at the time of low-exertion workouts.
• Make sure to wash the different equipment of the gym with a disinfectant prior to using them. It is possible to get infected by the virus in case you touch any surface which is contaminated and then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes.
• Bring along with you your personal yoga mat, resistance bands, and yoga blocks. These items have been removed by many gyms at present.
• Make use of hand sanitizer consisting of at least 60% alcohol prior to using any gym equipment.
While leaving
Washing your hands regularly will be the most effective way of preventing the spread of the virus. When you return home from the fitness center, make sure to wash your hands using water and soap for a minimum of 20 seconds. Otherwise, use a hand sanitizer containing a minimum of 60% alcohol. Make sure to toss your fitness center clothes in the washing machine and also disinfect any item brought by you from the gym such as resistance bands and yoga mats.
