The New Year happens to be a wonderful time for starting emphasizing your fitness targets. It might be possible for you to achieve these targets by doing several activities such as joining a fitness center, attending fitness classes, or working with a trainer. While fitness centers and gyms have started opening up in many locations of our country and some of them are providing personal training, fitness classes, as well as other activities, you might be worried about whether it will be safe to join or maybe return to these facilities because of the risk of Covid 19 transmission.
While considering your options, it will be a sensible idea to take into consideration the risks which are associated with working out at an indoor fitness center and the steps that can be taken by you for keeping you safe.
It might be helpful to comprehend some of the risks which are linked with working out at an indoor fitness center:
It is possible for air droplets to travel further while exercising
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended maintaining social distancing of a minimum of 6 feet from other people so as to stay away from the inhalation of respiratory droplets that might contain the virus. While working out, an individual will be breathing with more force as compared to while he or she is at rest. As a result, heavier breathing while working out might lead to an enhanced concentration of air droplets traveling a longer distance, thus enhancing the risk for the transmission of the virus.
Maintaining social distance at the gym might be difficult at all times
Although lots of fitness centers are sticking to guidelines by spacing out their gym equipment and also encouraging social distancing, you might find yourself in a scenario where any other member makes a decision of exercise on any machine just beside you or several members happen to be conversing next to you where you are performing your workouts. In spite of limiting the number of facility members, cardio areas and weight rooms can become crowded which can make it quite difficult to maintain social distancing while working out.
Insufficient air ventilation
Several fitness centers might not have proper ventilation systems which will be able to get rid of vital droplets from the air sufficiently, thus enhancing the risk of infection of any particular member or members, particularly in smaller indoor areas.
Making use of shared equipment
Although Covid 19 is usually spread by closely contacting any person who has been affected by the virus, it is also possible to get infected by touching any contaminated surface and following this touching his mouth, eyes, or nose. Consequently, your risk for Covid 19 can be increased significantly in case you share equipment such as cardio and weight machines, dumbbells, or mats which have not been cleaned prior to and following every usage.
Now that you have been able to understand the risks in a better manner, we will now highlight some particular ways for mitigating the risk and keeping you safe at the fitness center.
Select a fitness center where you will be feeling safe and comfortable
It is imperative for all fitness centers to stick to the state guidelines; nevertheless, some of them might take more precautions as compared to the others like mask-wearing protocols, implementing additional symptoms and temperature assessments, as well as limited size for the fitness classes. Make sure to visit several different facilities while joining the one where you will be feeling safe as well as comfortable to exercise. It might be useful to go for a facility which likewise provides virtual fitness classes, online personal training, and outdoor classes such that you will be able to create an exercise routine including workouts taking place at the gym, at home, and outside for limiting the number of times you are working out at an indoor gym every week.
Put on a mask covering your nose and mouth while working out
Despite the fact that you might find it uncomfortable to perform exercises while putting on a mask, it will keep you as well as other individuals safe in the long run. Moreover, it has been found by a recent study that blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate were not affected adversely in healthy individuals who performed workouts while putting on a mask. While working out with a mask, it might be a good idea to bring along with you a number of disposable masks so that you can change them as and when required.
Maintain social distancing
It will be advisable to maintain social distancing of a minimum of 6 feet for avoiding close contact with other members of the facility. Make sure to work out in locations of the fitness center which are less crowded and try not to visit the gym during peak hours.
Bring along with you your own equipment
Whenever possible, make sure to bring along with you your personal equipment like dumbbells, mats, or bands for usage while working out or while attending the fitness classes.
Bring along with you your personal water bottle
It is a fact that some fitness centers might not permit access to water fountains. Consequently, it will be prudent to bring along with you your personal water bottle for ensuring that you are able to drink water in a safe manner.
Clean equipment prior to and after every usage
Make sure to clean every piece of equipment prior to and after using it. Moreover, stay away from touching your nose, mouth, and eyes while working out.
Wash your hands prior to and following your workout
Make certain to wash your hands prior to and immediately following your workout using water and soap.
Limit high-density indoor exercise
Whenever possible, try to perform high-intensity workouts outdoors. In case you are performing high-intensity workouts indoors, make sure to increase distance.
Commencing or maintaining a workout routine is important for physical as well as mental health and is particularly crucial during this pandemic. Make certain to choose a location as well as format which will support your health-related objectives properly and will help you to start or return to an active lifestyle safely and comfortably.
