Are Gyms Safe To Reopen?

Fitness centers are taking precautions, only you can decide if they are enough. But, before going to the gym you can follow the tips given by our expert, Pradeep Maurya.

Is it safe to go to the gym? As business and public places start to reopen, gyms and fitness centers are the last amongst all and for a good reason, as the latest development about COVID says, that it’s airborne.

Gyms are certainly the highest risk places as there reopen returns. To find out more about gyms and their risk to coronavirus exposure ETV Bharat Sukhibhava spoke to Pradeep Maurya who is into fitness industry for over past one decade, what follows in his advice regarding weight room, cardio machines, and classes, including gym wipes which are effective, what equipment is begrimed, how to social distance on the treadmill and in workout space, and why should keep several towels draped on our shoulder throughout our workouts.

As the major problem with gyms reopening is not having a firm protocol put in place by experts, so it’s up to an individual gym to create its own plans to keep them safe and disinfected, says Pradeep. He also adds, reopening of gyms becomes strenuous with WHO revising its recommendations on the COVID particle transmission.

Current research from 239 scientists from around the world has outlined on the evidence showing that small particles of COVID can infect people and have asked WHO to revise its recommendations.

Virus particles in the respiratory droplets and aerosols can make their way by floating in the air, as well by landing on the surface and then carry the virus particles in our body through eyes, nose, or mouth.

Plus, vigorous exercise puts more stress on our lungs as we burn more oxygen, as our breathing rate increases 7 to 10 percent compared to when we are at rest according to the University of Florida.

That means if someone exhales particles the linger within the range of 3 to 6 meters, but this range may go as high as 15 to 20 meters in case of vigorous exercise which makes gyms more vulnerable.

Additionally, you are more likely to experience a runny nose or watery eyes when working out more intensively. And if you are COVID infected, the mucus from the nose may fall on the surface and may spread if someone touches it.

What can be done to stay safe at the gym?

Stay safe during Workout

• Before going to the gym, call on limiting the number of members at a time, and then book your slot accordingly.
• Ask about facilities on cleaning and disinfecting the policy of the gym. Whether you will be allowed to use a locker room or restroom.
• If you are interested in a group workout session, ask if the service is available or not.
• Your gyms will likely enforce physical distancing norms to every cardio machine, follow the guidelines to keep yourself and others safe. Some equipment like foam, wooden blocks will be unavailable as they are hard to clean.
• If you are at a higher risk of illness, then avoid going to the gym. But you can make great use of online classes offered by your gym.

Inputs:

Pradeep Maurya

Barbellboss

Founder

You can reach out to Pradeep Maurya with your queries at barbellboss.in@gmail.com