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Original poster

Is it safe to go to the gym?

32 replies

sleepyhorse · 13/03/2020 14:46

I’ve recently re-joined the gym and just wondering how safe it is? Enjoying it and really don’t want to stop as determined to get back into shape and helps to clear my head. If I spray equipment before and after use (and wash my hands before I leave the gym) then do you think this means I’m at low risk from catching the virus?

I have 2 small kids and my mum lives next door. She’s in her 70’s but is healthy.

Really sat on the fence here and don’t know what to do.

What would you do?

OP posts:
Finfintytint · 13/03/2020 14:47

No, hotbed for disease at the best of times.

halcyondays · 13/03/2020 14:48

No, go for a walk in the fresh air instead.

Bienentrinkwasser · 13/03/2020 14:50

Have the gym got cleaning spray out to wipe machines between uses? DH manages a gym and numbers are definitely dropping at the moment but I think as long as you clean machines and equipment down and regularly wash your hands, it’s not really any higher risk than going to the supermarket/pub/cinema etc.

ifonly4 · 13/03/2020 14:50

I'd say it's no worse than going to the supermarket, getting bus/train to work, as you have the option of easily cleaning equipment and wearing gloves for further protection. Also, keeping your distance a little from others.

Isla727 · 13/03/2020 14:51

No, the gym equipment is always covered in germs but at the moment it's potentially dangerous.

iismum · 13/03/2020 14:51

I’ve been going this week and carefully wiping everything down, but I’ve just cancelled all the classes I’ve booked for today and next week and am planning on not going for while. All the evidence suggests we really should be trying to do social distancing and the gym is absolutely the worst place for that. It’s frustrating, but I think the right thing to do - not just for your family and friends but to slow down the spread through the population - is not to go. I’m planning on doing some bike rides instead, though I know in practice I’ll do a lot less exercise which sucks.

HeronLanyon · 13/03/2020 14:52

No. I’ve never known a gym be anything other than so dirty if I were to spray I’d just be worried about disturbing layers of germs and grime ! Can you do home based weights stretches and then go for run/brisk fast walk ??

FacingtheAbess · 13/03/2020 14:53

Personally I wouldn't. However if I did I'd go ott on cleaning it all and maybe wear gloves.. I think you'd increase your risk of covid however, if really needed it, felt wondeful, then I think it's a balance between keeping mentally and emotionally healthy too.

AdoreTheBeach · 13/03/2020 15:06

Where I go now have a policy that you clean the equipment before and after use. I take classes (yoga, Pilates, body pump) the teacher asks everyone at the start and at the end to clean what you use. We all do it. The gym provides the spray and cleaning cloths (blue roll of paper towel). Lots of hand sanitiser around the gym too.

Original poster
sleepyhorse · 13/03/2020 15:07

I’m just trying to work out how it’s any different to having contact with public transport, escalators, paying for your shopping at a self check-out etc ?

OP posts:
WhatHaveIFound · 13/03/2020 15:13

My gym has now provided spray & blue paper cloth for cleaning equipment before & after use. Plus lots of hand gel & anti-bac soap in the bathrooms. And we're reminded to wash our hands before & after classes.

However it was noticeably quieter when I was there this morning so maybe people are just choosing to stay away. I'm planning on keeping going for now but I don't have an elderly mother living next door.

defthand · 13/03/2020 15:14

Absolutely not. I’ve read gyms are one of the worst spreading venues for this virus.

cologne4711 · 13/03/2020 15:16

I'm not keen. I think it might be worth closing leisure centres before schools!

Hazelnutlatteplease · 13/03/2020 15:19

Australia have apparently been linking some of their outbreaks to gyms.

Ive just cancelled my membership. I have had on and off for a couple of years a les mills subscription that i use for body attack, body pump and body step at home. The equipment was a substantial investment but its paid for itself for periods when i cant make it to the gym

Hazelnutlatteplease · 13/03/2020 15:20

Tbf that was a social media post not a decent source so could be crap. But given the amount of surfaces that you touch in a gym its got to be risky

Scruffyoak · 13/03/2020 15:21

I was previously going but yesterday was my last time I think. For a while.

Alonelonelyloner · 13/03/2020 15:22

You have an elderly mother who you have contact with, there's no way you should be going to the gym.

Bestnewshoes · 13/03/2020 15:22

I went today and it was packed! Lots of people working from home have their commute hours to use now. Lots of hand sanitizer and cleaning mats etc. Keeping distant and pushing doors open with elbows, lots of good cleaning go on. It's a very clean gym at the best of times though.

Purplewhitelie · 13/03/2020 15:22

If your 20 yes. If your 50 think again.

Iamthewombat · 13/03/2020 15:22

My gym has now provided spray & blue paper cloth for cleaning equipment before & after use.

Mine too, but after Bodypump we were only asked to clean the mats. What about the bars and dumbbells, I asked. No, nobody had told the instructor to ask us to do that, so she wasn’t going to tell us. Christ almighty. I cleaned mine anyway, and next time I will clean everything BEFORE use.

NorthernSpirit · 13/03/2020 15:23

Get a grip, of course it’s safe.

Absolute idiotic herd mentality gone mad.

10 people have died of the Coronovirus in the UK.

541,500 (1,485) people PER DAY died of obesity in 2018 in the UK.

Get yourself off to the gym.

dkanin · 13/03/2020 15:24

I'd just reactivated my gym membership as I need to go due to previous injury but I don't think it's a good idea at the moment so I've suspended it again. I'm going to try using some YouTube videos at home instead

GregoryGrainog · 13/03/2020 15:24

I'm staying out of the gym for now. Body weight exercises at home instead and running. Not worth the risk imo. A lot of gyms have closed in Ireland but not mine as of yet.

missyelloww · 13/03/2020 15:26

As long as I am still going shopping, using public transport etc, I think I will continue going to the gym. I've been washing my hands when I get there and before I leave and wiping down equipment before I use it. I don't see how it's more of a risk than using a shopping trolley, putting my pin number in or using a public toilet.

The only thing I think I would avoid at this point is maybe swimming? Not sure though - it's not something I do often so haven't considered it!

Original poster
sleepyhorse · 13/03/2020 15:56

ok it sounds like the majority of you don’t think it’s a good idea. I just wanted to put it out there as been sat on the fence with this one. Thanks for advice! Stay safe 🙏🏼

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