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Original poster

To go to the gym as normal?

347 replies

GymMummyBunny · 16/03/2020 10:26

I know they are seen as awash with germs but mine is pretty clean. I always wipe down the equipment well before and after using, especially where my hands are going to go, and wash hands as soon as I’ve finished.

I really don’t want to stop as I’m doing well losing weight and getting fitter, and exercise is good for the immune system anyway! I would need to stop going for months to avoid the virus.

AIBU? Slightly concerned about taking the virus home to family.

OP posts:
willowpatterns · 16/03/2020 19:54

@TabbyMumz The clue is in the word 'unnecessary'. Going to the gym is unnecessary.

Taswama · 16/03/2020 19:54

@emilybrontescorsett
That’s the sunk cost fallacy. I’ve paid for it so I’m going or I’ll have lost my money. But the money has already been spent whether you go or not.
I went to the gym on Friday but I think that will be it for a while now.
I’m beginning to understand the government strategy - thanks @TheHumansAreDefinitelyDead for your clear explanation.

1066vegan · 16/03/2020 20:09

I went to a class yesterday. Everyone was very sensible - using hand sanitiser at the beginning and end of the session, spraying hand weights and the mats.

I was going to carry on, taking sensible precautions. Then I watched the press conference.

I came home and cancelled the classes that I've booked for the rest of the week. I won't be going for the foreseeable future.

MrsJBaptiste · 16/03/2020 20:18

I'm still going to work in an office of 25 people.

Kids are still at school with 1500 pupils.

I'll still be going to the gym for the time being.

And as for exercising at home and use horded tins as weights 😂😂😂

TabbyMumz · 16/03/2020 20:51

It's also in the word "request", in that the government are requesting no unnecessary contact, and advising people. They are not at the stage where people will be prosecuted, so unfortunately, unless gyms and leisure centres close, people will still go.

Moomin8 · 16/03/2020 21:31

Some people have to go to work or school. But you don't have to go to the gym. And if everyone stopped all but essential items it will slow the disease 🙄

Moomin8 · 16/03/2020 21:31

Essential travel I meant

JaceLancs · 16/03/2020 21:32

I swam tonight busy as usual
Will wait till pool closes before I stop

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 16/03/2020 21:35

I posted earlier saying that I was going to be going to the gym. Just wanted to update to say that based on the latest advice from ScotGov I will no longer be going...

Sunflower20 · 16/03/2020 21:36

Surface contamination is one thing but there is also aerosol transmission.....so I'd be inclined to avoid the gym. People huffing and puffing and stuff.

CoupeCourte · 16/03/2020 22:23

Idris Elba has tested positive with no symptoms. If he had the same mentality as some of the selfish people on this thread, he might not have bothered getting a test, and gone to the gym because he felt just fine.

Those of you insisting you'll keep going until you are forced not to - I'd say 'you reap what you sow' but unfortunately it will be the elderly and the immunocompromised who will be hit the hardest by your thoughtless, disease-spreading behaviour. Feeling fine or looking fine is not the same as being well. You're being asked to restrict non-essential activities. Going to the gym (and I love it too) is not essential.

Sickofrain · 16/03/2020 22:25

Keep going. You may give someone a virus that will kill them, but hey, your thighs will be invisibly better.

Selfish wankers.

Pleasegodgotosleep · 16/03/2020 22:38

I am astounded that people honestly believe their weight loss goals are more important than keeping people safe. Unless you have NO ONE in your life who may be at higher risk that you could pass infection on to then you are totally selfish. Your health might be ok but others might not be.
The entire country's, if not the world's, economy will be on its knees for years to come as a result of this. Do you really believe governments would do that for no good reason?? Or are you so specially the rules shouldn't apply?
If you or someone you love is so sick that you require intensive care/ventilator taking it away from someone else that needs it will your gym session have been worth it?

songsanddancing · 16/03/2020 22:45

Sometimes the gym is used for sanity. And when teachers and support staff are still expected to attend work and NHS staff HAVE to be at work, then I'm sorry but I will still continue to use the gym. I pose more of a threat being exposed on a daily basis in my current work.
It is recommended but until the government imposes these rules, I am continuing to go.

SpokeTooSoon · 16/03/2020 22:50

I wouldn’t go to a gym right now personally.

I am however continuing with my outdoor fitness classes. A dozen or so of us doing HIIT circuits and running but keeping two arms length from each other. It feels safe, for now.

My yoga class later in the week I am far less sure of. These things are so important to our mental health though, it’s a wrench to give it up. I feel terrible for our lovely teachers though, they’re losing their livelihoods.

amiapropermum · 16/03/2020 23:05

Imperial College's Covid 19 response team estimates 250,000 could die if stricter measures aren't taken: www.itv.com/news/2020-03-16/250-000-will-die-unless-stricter-virus-measures-are-adopted-warn-scientists/

Please, please be sensible about this

EnthusiasmIsDisturbed · 16/03/2020 23:05

Yes NHS staff do still have to go to work to help whatever capacity they work to uphold our national health system and many other workers shall still have to go to work to keep the country running in various areas of work

The thing is when I am at work I am not choosing to potentially spread the virus further I am there because I need to be to support people who are vulnerable

No one has to go to the gym when you make a choice to still do such activities even when strongly advised not to you are making the choice to potentially spread the virus - utterly selfish there is no excuse

Moomin8 · 16/03/2020 23:19

It's tough, you need to find other ways of addressing your mental health temporarily. I have anxiety & depression but I'm not putting others at risk.

This too shall pass. But it won't pass without a lot of pain and sadness unless people stop being self centred, navel gazing idiots.

One week it's 'be kind', the next it's 'fuck everybody else' Angry

tulippa · 16/03/2020 23:24

I avoided the gym this weekend and went for a run outdoors instead. DH picked up a very nasty strain of pneumonia from the gym a few years ago and I never see anyone apart from me cleaning the equipment so thought it safest not to bother.

BruceAndNosh · 16/03/2020 23:27

Stay at home. Wfh. Have your groceries delivered

What about the person you are expecting to deliver your groceries and the other person who had to pick your groceries off the shelves?
They don't have the luxury of staying home or working from home so YOU can...

Moomin8 · 16/03/2020 23:33

The point is that those of us who are able to stay at home should. Going to the gym is non essential. As is going to the pub, cinema etc. If you don't have to go to work you should stay at home.

A job which involves looking after sick people and providing others with food is a necessity.

The point is that if people stay at home and don't do non essential outings then it's less risky for others to do essential jobs.

I really have no idea why this is so difficult to grasp. The more people who just carry on as if this virus is not there, the more quickly it will spread!

MissGuernsey · 17/03/2020 04:02

I am going to visit the gym. I have no hand sanitizer. Selfish fucks have bought it all in the shops near me. I have been unable to buy it in the major supermarkets and chemists in West London for almost a month. Fortunately I have a plentiful supply of soap given by a friend (unwanted Xmas gifts).

I have to go to work on the tube. I cannot work from home as I work in mail distribution. I bet the self-isolating mob are still continuing to buy plastic tat from China when they are 'working from home'. Aye, coming through my hands and onto our posties. I bet they will be the first to complain when their goods are delivered late!

I have to go to work so I aren't stopping my social life. You think I am slogging my guts out on the night shift in a manual role to go home and curtail my social life? Fuck that for a game of soldiers. I went to the cinema last night and then for a meal in a local restaurant. They were very grateful to see me as they only had two other customers. Pubs were full though!

I live in Central West London so do not have a car. I shop most days. I cannot stockpile as I can only buy what I can physically carry. The selfish cunts who stockpile, who are able to work from home (no doubt binge watching Netflix as they 'work') have no business telling me how to live my life.

When they shut the schools I may take notice. Until then I will continue going to the gym and cinema (I have memberships to both). Folk are panic-buying causing me to have to walk to several supermarkets for basic items such as lentils or tinned tomatoes. I will do as I please. My life. My business.

Orangeblossom78 · 17/03/2020 04:10

It was said today we can go out for exercise as long as stay apart. With a swipe card to a swimming pool this could be done without social contact. Ours is very quiet anyway. Still considering what to do

Durgasarrow · 17/03/2020 04:17

Yes, it is unreasonable to go to the gym. We are in the middle of a global pandemic. Everyone needs to stay away from other people and avoid touching things other people have touched. That is reality. By going to the gym you are being socially irresponsible and could cause death to yourself or to other people.

Iamthewombat · 17/03/2020 06:10

Lots of people can’t afford to not go to paid events, so unless the event is cancelled and therefore they get their money back, they will not stop going.

Are people really this dim? As another poster notes, once the money has been spent, it’s gone. It makes absolutely no difference to affordability whether you go or don’t go. If you were due to go to a festival and the site was flooded, would you go anyway because you ‘couldn’t afford not to’?

I have to go to work so I aren't stopping my social life. You think I am slogging my guts out on the night shift in a manual role to go home and curtail my social life? Fuck that for a game of soldiers.

I will do as I please. My life. My business.

I don’t think I need to comment extensively on this, apart from noting that this poster’s behaviour appears to be partly motivated by resentment of the arses doing the panic buying. However, it’s not them you are going to hurt by your actions, is it? It’s the older people who bear the brunt when the infection spreads.