10 Coronavirus Safety Tips For getting back To The Gym

Is it safe to return to the gym? This long quarantine has many people anxious and excited when it comes to getting back to the gym again, but the fitness industry has been seriously effected by the pandemic.

How do you handle social distancing rules while also getting your full workout? ​Do you wear a mask? are you better off working out by your self or attending classes?


These are just a few of questions and concerns faced by fitness centers and gyms regarding how and when they can safely reopen without risking spreading the virus amongst their patrons customers and staff.
by following cdc guidelines as well as these tips you can greatly reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 @ the gym.

​1) IF YOU ARE SICK, STAY HOME:
this one is a no brainer. If you are sick or are not feeling well be responsible and respectful and limit your interactions  with others. A person who is showing symptoms is more infectious and can spread the virus more than asymptomatic persons, so again if your sick, stay home!

​2)IF YOU ARE AT RISK, STAY HOME:
the gym is a place that is usually fequented by all age groups, however, if you are older adults  or have previous medical conditions, please limit your exposure to others. this is would be great time to take a step outside for your workout or start a home gym where you can greatly reduce your risk of infection.

3) clean and maintain equipment between each use: 
its been common practice at gyms and fitness centers to wipe down equipment after use. but in these times its never been more important to insure your disinfecting any and all surfaces of the equipment your will be coming in contact with. bringing your own disinfectant wipes is not a bad idea, but be sure to wipe down all areas which you come in contact with including grips adjustment knobs ect. if you don't have your own wipes and your gym or fitness center is out contact us at gym works 727-222-2555 and we'll get an order placed for you! also contact us for a maintenance quote for your facility, as we provide customized quotes to fit your specific needs!

4) KEEPing your DISTANCE of @ least 6 FEET OR MORE:
most people like to keep there space in gym already. but during these times you should really keep as much distance between you and other patrons as possible as exercise has people breathing hard and a higher amount of expelled airborne germs. if not already done make sure to keep at least 6 feet in between all cardio equipment. running next to a treadmill using ellipticals/ cardio equipment closer than 6 feet would not provide adequate spacing.



5)wear a mask when not working out:

it may be in your best interest to wear your mask in between workouts and as you move throughout the facilities to prevent the inhalation of airborne pathogens.

6) clean/sanitize hands and DO NoT TOUCH YOUR FACE:

avoid touching your face as it has been said to be a strong contraction spot for the disease. wash your hands after working out when ever possible and always before touching your face . sanitizer can be used when hand washing is unavailable but over usage of sanitizer can dry out your skin.

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​7)AVOID THE LOCKER ROOM AND SHOWERS IF POSSIBLE:
the gym it self is already full or germs and bacteria so you can only imagine the horrors to be found in the locker rooms, they should be avoided if at all possible. there are several Gross Infections You Can Catch at the Gym locker rooms. these were all documented prior to the pandemic so its probably in your best interest to avoid the locker room all together.

8)give careful consideration to group classes:

the more people in your exercise group the higher likelihood someone could be a carrier of Covid-19. pay attention to the numbers in your area and maybe pick an outdoor group, or a smaller group of individuals to workout with to minimized your possibility of exposer.

9)bring you own clean towels:
​a lot of gyms and fitness centers provide fresh towels, but during these times it's better to bring you own. doing this limits exposer to towels touched by others or on surfaces that may not be sanitized.

10)wear a mask while working out
wearing a mask while working out is an option when engaging in low intensity activities such as weight training or stretching. although for you it may not be ideal, keep in mind many athletes exercise training masks when working out to simulate higher altitude. always pay attention to your own breathing and if your felling uncomfortable or short of breath rest or modify your work out to accommodate.

when it all comes down to it you have to ask yourself is it still worth it to go to the gym, for most that answer will be yes. take these 10 safety tips into consideration, and you can start enjoying the gym again.  

if you find yourself overwhelmed by the thought of getting back into a gym with the crowds, gym works would be happy to work with you to build your home gym. please give us a call at 727-222-2555 to get your home gym started!


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