Post lockdown life @ the gym

[Cornell]

"Orangetheory’s corporate guidelines for face coverings are more strict than Tennessee’s. Customers must bring their own face mask and wear it at all times, while instructors have to wear a face mask and safety goggles. "

Like many of you, we are all anxious for gyms to reopen. I've been to all types. Hard for me to see how masks are going to work at the gym. I cannot fathom doing an Orange Theory workout w/a mask on.

I don't see how small strip mall studio gyms will survive this.

As Coronavirus Lockdowns Lift, How Ready Are Gyms to Reopen?

Owners try to balance state and medical advice on face masks in the fitness studio; some let customers decide. “The most frustrating thing is that there are no strict guidelines”

www.wsj.com

 

[DaveNV]

My local gym has been closed for a few months now. They were offering online classes for those who wanted to workout at home. They billed me a mostly-reduced rate last month for my membership, and this month they didn't bill me at all. Not a peep by email from them. I wonder if they're going to survive? I hope so. They've been a fixture in my town for decades.

And no, a mask at the gym won't work, at least not very well. The first sweaty person who throws droplets of sweat around while exercising, grabs a door handle, or who uses a water fountain could easily spread the virus.

Dave

 

[Luanne]

My gym is considering not reopening at all.

 

[dioxide45]

My local gym has been closed for a few months now. They were offering online classes for those who wanted to workout at home. They billed me a mostly-reduced rate last month for my membership, and this month they didn't bill me at all. Not a peep by email from them. I wonder if they're going to survive? I hope so. They've been a fixture in my town for decades.

And no, a mask at the gym won't work, at least not very well. The first sweaty person who throws droplets of sweat around while exercising, grabs a door handle, or who uses a water fountain could easily spread the virus.

Dave

Can the virus spread through sweat? Also, it would take any of the above people to actually be infected in order for it to spread. Not just any person sweating, grabbing or drinking would spread it.

 

[DaveNV]

Can the virus spread through sweat? Also, it would take any of the above people to actually be infected in order for it to spread. Not just any person sweating, grabbing or drinking would spread it.

Well, they say droplets from someone sneezing could spread it, so I'd assume a sweaty person shaking their sweaty head or grabbing the treadmill rails, or whatever, could also throw droplets around. If the virus is on their skin, then it seems likely. I don't know the science of it, but those in the know have been pretty adamant about gyms being places where contaminations are very likely.

It can also spread through cross contamination, so people could bring the virus in off the street, and leave it on locker doors and such. No sweating required.

Dave

 

[dioxide45]

I think the concern inside gyms is the enclosed space with limited ventilation being used by people with elevated respiratory rates. I suspect the chance of catching it from someone breathing it out and you breathing it in is extremely high. Not sure about the other situations. I know we are told to wash hands and all that, and that is good. But for a gym I think respiration of the people inside is the biggest concern.

 

[b2bailey]

"Orangetheory’s corporate guidelines for face coverings are more strict than Tennessee’s. Customers must bring their own face mask and wear it at all times, while instructors have to wear a face mask and safety goggles. "

Like many of you, we are all anxious for gyms to reopen. I've been to all types. Hard for me to see how masks are going to work at the gym. I cannot fathom doing an Orange Theory workout w/a mask on.

I don't see how small strip mall studio gyms will survive this.

As Coronavirus Lockdowns Lift, How Ready Are Gyms to Reopen?

Owners try to balance state and medical advice on face masks in the fitness studio; some let customers decide. “The most frustrating thing is that there are no strict guidelines”

www.wsj.com

I just recently noticed the location near me where there used to be an Orangetheory is now vacant with a For Rent sign.

 

[dmbrand]

Our Ymca is opening next week...a soft opening for members that didn’t suspend their membership fees during the closure. I am sure that my husband and I will be back at pickle ball, if the gym is open. It remains to be seen what policies they will have in place.

 

["Roger"]

Eeech, good article but what a terrible situation. We should be encouraging people to get more exercise and making it easier for those who want to work out. But I would think that gyms would be about the easiest place to spread coronavirus, much worse that a cruise ship. And the very idea of working out with a face mask. You got to be kidding. (And I am a face mask advocate.)

I thought that there was some state that allowed gyms to open, but people could only go during one hour shifts. The idea was that if someone in the group later tested positive, they could easily do contact tracing. Inconvenient, but strikes me as a good idea.

Somewhat along the lines of this thread (hope that this doesn't turn into a hijack), a French study came out saying that the average (not the worst, the average) French person has gained five and a half pounds during their lockdown. Part of that is that they have probably been eating more, but also the lack of physical activity must also have played a role. Now, there are all sorts of encouragements for people to ride bikes. Subsidies for new bike buyers, cycling tracks being built, allowances for people to go much further from home than otherwise allowed. Part of this is to encourage fitness, but a lot has to do with concerns of people avoiding public transportation leading to clogged roads and increased air pollution.

 

[Cornell]

Eeech, good article but what a terrible situation. We should be encouraging people to get more exercise and making it easier for those who want to work out. But I would think that gyms would be about the easiest place to spread coronavirus, much worse that a cruise ship. And the very idea of working out with a face mask. You got to be kidding. (And I am a face mask advocate.)

I thought that there was some state that allowed gyms to open, but people could only go during one hour shifts. The idea was that if someone in the group later tested positive, they could easily do contact tracing. Inconvenient, but strikes me as a good idea.

Somewhat along the lines of this thread (hope that this doesn't turn into a hijack), a French study came out saying that the average (not the worst, the average) French person has gained five and a half pounds during their lockdown. Part of that is that they have probably been eating more, but also the lack of physical activity must also have played a role. Now, there are all sorts of encouragements for people to ride bikes. Subsidies for new bike buyers, cycling tracks being built, allowances for people to go much further from home than otherwise allowed. Part of this is to encourage fitness, but a lot has to do with concerns of people avoiding public transportation leading to clogged roads and increased air pollution.

Lots of great points / comments here - thank you. I think the idea of a hard cardio workout with a mask on is an unpleasant thought no matter where you personally stand on the facemask issue.

 

[DaveNV]

Lots of great points / comments here - thank you. I think the idea of a hard cardio workout with a mask on is an unpleasant thought no matter where you personally stand on the facemask issue.

I don't think I could do it, even if the body was up to the challenge.

Dave

 

[CalGalTraveler]

I am all for masks in public spaces but not when working out. Will stick to in-home YouTube class workouts and running outside where I don't need a mask. Our gym is set to open in June but now questioning whether we would use it if masks are required.

 

[Luvtoride]

Even walking briskly outside with a face mask is uncomfortable and unpleasant. Alas, I think that going back inside a gym and attending any live sporting events are two of my top "won't do for a longgg time" list! Stay safe everyone.

 

[Panina]

Hard workouts with masks, would worry if one is getting enough oxygen. Are people going to pass out?

 

[WalnutBaron]

Our gym reopened last week.

• Only 20 people are allowed in at any one time (it's a large gym).
• Equipment is cleaned before and after each use with attendants at the ready with spray bottles and wipes.
• Everyone must wear masks and neoprene gloves before entering.
• Ten foot spacing.
• No classes are being conducted.
• Fans are turned off. Only "negative air" is allowed, which means air is being sucked out of the building through the air conditioning vents in the ceiling.
• Water fountains are turned off. Bring your own water bottles.

Even with all of these rules and precautions, the gym owners told me that less than 20% of the members have indicated an interest in working out under these conditions and--as membership renewals come up for renewal--only about 15% of members are renewing, both because they don't feel safe working out in an enclosed space and/or because they no longer have sufficient disposable income to pay for the membership.

It's suddenly a business model that doesn't make sense and cannot attract customers, even though we need the gyms for our continued good health.

Very tough situation.

 

[Luanne]

In the latest revision to her executive order our governor has mandated that everyone should wear masks when out. The only exceptions are when eating, drinking or exercising. Thank goodness! I have been working out at a park with my trainer for the last couple of months. We are socially distancing. She wears a mask, I do not. I told her if I had to wear a mask I couldn't work out.

Okay, now back to my gym. I've been getting updates from my trainer and she says things are changing from day to day. It's a privately owned gym, it's the owner's "baby", he does have other businesses. He closed even before there was any mandate to close down as he didn't want to be the place where people got sick. So I know, if he reopens, he will be cautious.

There was talk of opening only to members who were working with a trainer. We'd need to check in, have our temperature taken. Then it's changed to not reopening at all, to opening on a limited basis (not sure what that means) back to not reopening. He may be watching to see what other gyms in the area are doing and how successful they are. There was one gym that was part of a chaim (don't remember which one) that opened in January, then had to close down soon after that. They may be one that opens up soon after we're given the go ahead, which won't be until early June at best. The owner has also asked the trainers to poll their clients to see if 1) we would come back as soon as the gym reopens, or 2) we don't think we would come back at all.

At this point I don't plan to go back, at least right away. My trainer is looking into other alternatives as we won't be able to work out in the park year round.

 

[SueDonJ]

Hard workouts with masks, would worry if one is getting enough oxygen. Are people going to pass out?

Do any of the medical workers pass out when they physically exert themselves responding to codes all geared up head to toe?

 

[Cornell]

Do any of the medical workers pass out when they physically exert themselves responding to codes all geared up head to toe?

Are medical workers getting their heart rate up that high for extended periods of time? Orangetheory is a HIIT workout.

 

[dioxide45]

Do any of the medical workers pass out when they physically exert themselves responding to codes all geared up head to toe?

I wouldn't be expecting medical workers to be exerting themselves to the same level over the same period of time as someone involved in an intense workout. Perhaps some do, but the elevated heart rate may only be maintained for a few minutes vs a half hour or more. Though I am sure there are some who have passed out before.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Lots of great points / comments here - thank you. I think the idea of a hard cardio workout with a mask on is an unpleasant thought no matter where you personally stand on the facemask issue.

I'm wondering how that will work in the pool! About the only thing I use at the Y is the pool.

 

[Cornell]

I'm wondering how that will work in the pool! About the only thing I use at the Y is the pool.

Scuba gear! Your breathing will be fully contained.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Scuba gear! Your breathing will be fully contained.

Luv it!! Although, a re-breather is quite big and I don't know if the pool is deep enough to do a flip turn with it on....Oh wait who am I kidding I can't do a flip turn!

 

[Old Hickory]

Are medical workers getting their heart rate up that high for extended periods of time? Orangetheory is a HIIT workout.

What's the demographic for Orangetherory or any HIIT workout? My guess is that 99% are under 50 years old?

 

[Cornell]

What's the demographic for Orangetherory or any HIIT workout? My guess is that 99% are under 50 years old?

Absolutely not. I would say 20 percent 50 +.

 

[Old Hickory]

Absolutely not. I would say 20 percent 50 +.

I was close But age doesn't matter when we talk about fitness and health. Plenty of 50 + who are in better fitness/health than <50.