How to Return to the Gym Safely
Next up on New York State’s reopening list: gyms and fitness centers.Enter ͼ’s David P. Calfee, MD, MS,chDz辱ٲepidemiologist forNewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
“A lot of the things that someone going to the gym (or to any other public setting for that matter) should do are done in order to protectotherpeople,”Dr. Calfeeexplains. “That’s why it is important foreveryoneto do these things, regardless of what they think about their personal risk of acquiring COVID-19 while at the gym.”
The bottomline? “Gyms can be safe places only when EVERYONE plays by the rules.”
Here’swhat you need to know, Dr. Calfee says:
Do not goto the gymif you have symptoms of COVID-19 or a known recent exposure to COVID-19.
Most of the potential risks associated contracting the virus at the gym are the same as those for contracting the virus in other settings: gatherings of large numbers of people in close proximity to one another within indoor spaces.Physical exertionalsomay increase the generation of respiratory droplets, which can transmit the virus from person to person. This is confounded by the ability to be infectious while you are entirely asymptomatic.
While staying home from the gym while you are ill is very important, that alone is not sufficient to prevent transmission. That’s why it is important for everyone going to a gym (or any other public setting) to adhere to recommended prevention strategies.
If you’ve just traveled from a state on, pleasedo notgo to the gym during your quarantine.
Wear a face mask throughout your time in the gym.
In locker rooms and showers,peoplewill betaking off their masks to showerandchange clothes.Lockers rooms and shower facilities are more confined spaces in which ventilation may not be optimal.
Perform hand hygiene frequently.
You know what to do: pick a song and sing it for 20 second to make sure you’re washing your hands thoroughly. Look forhand sanitizerand hand wipes, which should bewidely available in the facility.
Make sure thestaffand gym-goers are cleaning anddisinfectingequipment and surfaces between uses.
Gyms should providedisinfectant wipes sotheir staff andgym users can clean shared equipmentbothbeforeandafteruse.
Maintain a safe distance from others:6-feet.
Here’s why:We go to the gym to exert ourselves, andexertion leadsto increased rate and depth of breathing--andthegeneration of more respiratory dropletsandshortness of breath(perhaps leading to greater likelihood of mask removal).
If you have a choice from among group classes,one-on-one training, and using gym equipment, know that thegroup classoption likely presents the greatest risk, especially if you’re participating in a high-intensity workout.
If there are floor markers and partitions to remind patrons to keep their distance, respect them.
If you see something, say something.
Tell gym staff if you see patrons not adhering to safety recommendations.Don’t let them ruin it for others.