Like many people, I stopped going to the gym during most of 2020 and 2021. I went to the gym just a handful of times in 2021. It was a little anxiety inducing to say the least but, I was able to finish my workout. It got me thinking about safety and Covid risk so I thought I'd write a quick blog about it... Is it actually safe to go to the gym right now? Well, to be honest it's not a straight yes or no answer.
The risk of contracting Covid at the gym is absolutely higher than other environments. Don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said, "the increased respiratory exertion that occurs in the enclosed spaces of indoor exercise facilities facilitates transmission" of the virus. Masks will absolutely help decrease your risk of contracting Covid and that is the current requirement at most gyms. However, if you live in LA county, the City of LA Vaccine Mandate goes into effect tomorrow November 8, 2021. Beginning tomorrow, people 12 and older will have to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test that has been taken within 72 hours. Masks are still required regardless of vaccination status. Still this is no reason to drop your guard! Keep taking all the precautions you currently take.
Here are some tips to keep you safe and healthy in the gym:
💪 Wear a mask at all times and make sure it's covering your nose and mouth.
💪 Maintain your distance from others in the gym.
💪 Try to work out at times when there are less people in the gym.
💪 Limit your time at the gym. Do cardio at home or a local park and use the gym for equipment.
💪 Sanitize anything you use before and after use. If you brought your own stuff, sanitize it too!
💪 If you are sick, stay home! Covid or not, nobody wants your cooties!
💪 If this whole situation gives you anxiety, save your mental health and just work out from home.
💪 If you are not comfortable with the cleanliness or mask enforcement at your gym, find a new one.
Not ready to go back to the gym? That's ok, you don't have to! You can always workout at home through a subscription service, workout at a local park or hire a trainer like me 😉
Do I currently go to the gym? Like I said earlier, I have only gone a handful of times in 2021 and that is for a couple of reasons. As a stay at home mom of two, it's harder to find the time when I have limited childcare. I considered taking my kids to the in-house childcare at the gym but was discouraged by some things that I saw such as poor enforcement of masking and lack of sanitation supplies. I actually stopped going to that gym and froze my membership for the time being because of that. I went to another gym which seemed much more stocked with sanitation supplies and encouraging of safety habits but has no childcare option so I'm limited to when I can actually go work out. It's been months since I've gone and have opted to work out from home as much as I can because I have my own little gym at home. I don't have all the equipment that a big gym has but I can still get some great workouts in. I am a Certified Personal Trainer after all!
Notes:
Picture on this blog post is pre-pandemic (no mask).
CDC article quoted can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7009e2.htm
More information about the City of LA Vaccine Mandate: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubhpdetail.cfm?prid=3483
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