AIBU to start gym membership when Covid is still around?

daisychain1620 · 2020-08-06T08:14:24+00:00

I haven't been to a gym in years and I've put on more than a few pounds recently and was considering rejoining my old gym. My son and nephew were going to join too for moral support! Our area has quite low Covid cases so I'm feeling a bit like life is getting back to normal. I'm now not sure if this is a stupid/reckless thing to, my friend thought I was nuts joining a place that will have people huffing and puffing around me, touching so much equipment and encouraging my son to go too. A work colleague also mentioned that they have cancelled their gym membership as it didn't feel right going. Any opinions please as I'm not so sure now.

BogRollBOGOF · 06/08/2020 09:19

Gyms have put a lot of effort into making their premises as safe as they can.

Covid is not the only illness in the world and you're probably at far lower risk of catching anything now than you normally would be.

Being unfit is not a great health move either (she says being far less fit now than back in February...)

Twigletfairy · 06/08/2020 09:21

You know the risks, if you feel that they're acceptable, then go.

I am booked in for my exercise class in September as soon as it re opens. I know it's not risk free, but this type of exercise is also my hobby and has a massively positive impact on my mental health

minimagician · 06/08/2020 09:22

I'm thinking about this too. I need to lose some weight and as soon as I start exercising my body (brain?) rarely wants all the crap it does normally. I've been trying to do things from home but as I can't run and cycling is limited, I can't do a lot of cardio.

Long story short, going to the gym would make me lose weight, which would reduce my risk of having a hard time with covid, but still, I'm hesitating!

Monday55 · 06/08/2020 09:25

I'm in the gym right now and definitely feels safer than being in a supermarket. We are having to book a slot so that it's not over crowded and after every slot there are cleaners who come in and clean all equipment before the next slot starts.

There's also hand sanitizer everywhere and antibacterial wipes Stations.

Original poster

daisychain1620 · 06/08/2020 09:26

@BogRollBOGOF I agree it's as safe as it can be and I had given it some careful thought but it's just hearing two quite strong opinions about not going in the space of a couple of days have made me think twice, especially if I'm taking my son and encouraging my nephew to go too? I tend to over think things

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MrMeeseekscando · 06/08/2020 09:29

I went back to my gym the day after they reopened.
The measures in place are much better than the pubs and restaurants have!
Staff are constantly cleaning, machines 2m apart, plenty of cleaning stuff available with instructions to clean before and after using equipment...
They've even made entry touch free.

bigbluebus · 06/08/2020 09:30

I'd say it depends on the gym and the level of cases in your area and also the time of day your are able to go. I started back at my gym last week. It's a smallish privately run gym not one of the big chains. They have put good arrangements in place and I go in the morning when it's quite quiet. If it started to get busier than I feel comfortable with i could switch to afternoons and see if it's quieter then (it was pre covid). You need to check out your individual gym and make your own risk assessment.

Mumdiva99 · 06/08/2020 09:30

I just went back to classes at my gym this week. They are stricter than supermarkets and pubs about distance and one way. They are fanatical about cleaning.

Why not ask to be shown around so you can see for yourself.

chomalungma · 06/08/2020 09:32

Our gym is great.
Book a slot
Lots of cleaning
Only slight issue was I think that the people on the weights were spending far more time than they were supposed to - as we only get 50 minutes in there.

NameChange84 · 06/08/2020 09:41

I wouldn’t but I’m in an area of local lockdown, one of my parents has been told in no uncertain terms that they’d be unlikely to survive Covid and both parents are in the Shielding category and we are the only members of our family in this country so are close and then I have an autoimmune condition and have previously had pneumonia twice from the common cold.

If it wasn’t the case, I’d be looking at who I’d be at risk of spreading it to if I did catch it. In all honesty, I don’t think I’d bother going to the gym at the moment because all the hugging and puffing and the ventilation system would be making me feel nervous and there are other ways of keeping fit that don’t involve going to the gym. For the price of a gym membership it was cheaper for me to buy my own weights and run, ride my bike etc outdoors where the transmission rate is low. Local charity shops had super cheap cross trainers and even treadmills available which a few friends set up in their garages.

I realise though that not everyone has the space. It’s a tough call, especially in a relatively safe area but I don’t think I’d be going. Are your son and nephew school aged?

NameChange84 · 06/08/2020 09:42

Huffing not hugging lol

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 06/08/2020 09:45

I personally don’t feel it’s worth the risk for something you can do anywhere. Lots of people huffing and puffing and expelling more breath than usual wouldn’t make it enjoyable for me.

I’d do a SD outdoor yoga or Pilates class but the rest I’d feel better doing at home. No travel and likely cheaper too.

Original poster

daisychain1620 · 06/08/2020 09:52

@NameChange84 my nephew is 19 and my son is 16, due to go back to school in the next few weeks. I don't think I'm so much worried about me it's more my son and my sister is fine about my nephew going (he's old enough to make his own mind up anyway).

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Pipandmum · 06/08/2020 09:52

Gyms have done a great job to ensure the safety of clients. No environmental is risk free, from anything, including your own home.
What kind of exercise do you do? If you are going to use equipment you either book a slot and everything is distanced. Our gym provides each member their own bottle of disinfectant as they come in as well.
Classes have much reduced size. Ventilation has been worked on too. I'd say it is one of the safer public spaces. Have to say not many people 'huff and puff' in any gym I've been in.

Firawla · 06/08/2020 10:08

I’ve joined a week or so back, and I have no worries. They have cleaning products out so every time you finish with a machine you clean it

PrivateD00r · 06/08/2020 10:12

Have you contacted a gym about this? None of the gyms in my area are taking on new members at the minute as they are working through ensuring current members are able to access classes and gym sessions with reduced numbers. I am sure luxury gyms will take you on, but council gyms/smaller private gyms may not.

Otherwise, no yanbu. I have restarted gym classes, albeit outdoor ones so far. I haven't booked a gym session yet because I have got into a routine of working out at home so haven't quite decided whether to keep on the gym, struggling to fit it in!

PrivateD00r · 06/08/2020 10:16

@NameChange84

I wouldn’t but I’m in an area of local lockdown, one of my parents has been told in no uncertain terms that they’d be unlikely to survive Covid and both parents are in the Shielding category and we are the only members of our family in this country so are close and then I have an autoimmune condition and have previously had pneumonia twice from the common cold.

If it wasn’t the case, I’d be looking at who I’d be at risk of spreading it to if I did catch it. In all honesty, I don’t think I’d bother going to the gym at the moment because all the hugging and puffing and the ventilation system would be making me feel nervous and there are other ways of keeping fit that don’t involve going to the gym. For the price of a gym membership it was cheaper for me to buy my own weights and run, ride my bike etc outdoors where the transmission rate is low. Local charity shops had super cheap cross trainers and even treadmills available which a few friends set up in their garages.

I realise though that not everyone has the space. It’s a tough call, especially in a relatively safe area but I don’t think I’d be going. Are your son and nephew school aged?

This is a very good point, its all about weighing up the risk in the context of your own circumstances.

The only thing I would add is home gym equipment is now overinflated and hard to get. There are plenty of workouts that be can without equipment though. Or you can post on FB asking if anyone has anything gathering dust in their garage that you could borrow.

Original poster

daisychain1620 · 06/08/2020 10:16

Yes I've phoned them just to get prices etc and are happy to take on more customers.
I'm looking forward to getting back to fitness routine again whatever that may be. Thanks for all the responses.

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anxiousabby · 19/03/2021 23:14

With lockdown measures seemingly coming to an end, what's everyone's thoughts on joining back up over the next few months?

I'm desperate to get back into shape but terrified about catching covid :/

CuthbertDibbleandGrubb · 20/03/2021 07:26

Yes I think you should. Others have pointed out that the cleanliness measures are much more than many other places.