If Everyone in Your Gym Isn’t Camouflaged, Stay at Home.
Many gyms allow people to take off their masks while exercising, as if the coronavirus is politely refraining from infecting others while exercising. Of course it won’t. Even if it is legal to exercise without a mask wherever you are, it is not a good idea.
The CDC recently identified several cases of super-proliferation activities in gyms. At a gym in Chicago, 81 people contracted the coronavirus while exercising, and 55 developed symptoms. At the gym, people were six feet apart, required masks upon arrival, and used a temperature check and symptom checker to try and rule out anyone who was sick.
But as we all already know, you can be contagious for a day or so before you have symptoms. Thus, a person can come to the lesson without even suspecting that he is sick, and then go to the lesson without a mask. The CDC report also found that people sometimes came to class waiting for test results. Unsurprisingly, all of this constitutes a great way of spreading the virus.
We’ve seen this before. Remember the Canadian cycling studio that followed all the rules , including how the rules allowed you to practice without masks? Or an outbreak in gyms in Hawaii where masks weren’t required?
A room full of people breathing heavily, no masks or proper ventilation is a dangerous place during the coronavirus pandemic. For those who complain that it is annoying or even impossible to exercise with a mask, I say if you cannot do it with a mask, you should not do it indoors, next to other people.
The CDC Chicago Gym Report talks about how to make exercise safer, emphasis mine:
To reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in fitness centers, participants must wear masks, including during high-intensity activities ≥6 feet apart . In addition, facilities should provide physical distancing, improve ventilation, and encourage visitors to isolate after symptoms develop or test positive for SARS-CoV-2, and to quarantine after potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and awaiting test results. Exercise outdoors or virtually can further reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
Unless your gym requires others to wear masks, it’s safer just not to walk. If you do decide to take risks and still attend classes, consider avoiding cardio when everyone is breathing heavily and minimize the time you spend in the building .
We also have an overview of home workout ideas . Watch the workout video! Use the group fitness app! Buy dumbbells or resistance bands ! Cancel your membership and invest in a whole home gym ! Go outside and run ! And if you’ve tried it all before, we have a few ideas for what to do when you get bored with home workout .