Gyms . . . What's the problem?

[AllesAusLiebe]

Just discussing this with DH and neither of us can understand why gyms cannot operate from mid June, along with non essential shops.

Am I missing something?

I think it would be pretty easy to restrict numbers, place additional sanitisers, make wearing face masks compulsory and close changing rooms/showers etc.

It would be a big help for those who are struggling a little with mental health and also, many trainers at my gym are self-employed so I'd imagine that they're under great financial strain at the moment.

I understand the concerns about sweat flying around but if users are all wearing face masks, I'd imagine it would be difficult to do intense cardio work anyway. It would, however, be very possible to still do weight training.

[KatherineJaneway]

@B1rdbra1n

To be fair I always have a silent smile at the Januray and pre-summer joiners. I wish them the best but I know 75% will never return after 3 weeks. Pity.

In my gym you have the regulars that are there whatever. Can't wait to go back.

[B1rdbra1n]

more room for the rest of us
I am also looking forward to a less crowded gym, I think the enthusiasts will be back as soon as they can and those who aren't so bothered will stay away🤔
but I'm not sure that gyms can make it pay if only the most keen buy a membership😕

[KatherineJaneway]

Gyms. File under public toilet for places to avoid even if they were open.

More room for the rest of us then.

[dramadrama]

Look at the research on transmission across people in choirs, cycling classes and gyms. It's very sobering reading

Sad when they are such good activities for mental and physical health.

And poor instructors.

[lljkk]

Thanks for the Germany update @bigchocfrenzy.

[peoplepleaser1]

Look at the research on transmission across people in choirs, cycling classes and gyms. It's very sobering reading and shows that transmission is increased greatly when people are breathing out forcefully.

[BigChocFrenzy]

I'm in Germany and my gym has been open a couple of weeks
It doesn't have a pool - I've always been downmarket for gyms !

Showers & sauna closed
Changing rooms closed - everyone comes in training gear
Hand sanitiser everywhere and deep clean early morning before it opens
Masks only used by reception staff
Reduced slots for classes
All mats and every other bench is marked "out of use" - must bring your own mat for classes

Numbers are way down on usual, because gym-goers tend to be very health-conscious;
hence many are just exercising outdoors, or minimising gym trips

Also, the coffee bar is ôpen but completely unused, because noone wants to linger and natter as we used to
So profits significantly down
e.g. I used to spend at least the same as my monthly gym fee (€46) on coffee, shakes & fruit

[B1rdbra1n]

Seriously, Marie? you think that gyms are in the same category as public toilets😳
What else would you put in the 'public toilet' category?

[MadameMarie]

Gyms. File under public toilet for places to avoid even if they were open.

[KatherineJaneway]

Our gym gets pretty busy so I have no idea how they will control the numbers unless its a one in one out policy at busy times or you book a workout slot.

I miss the gym

[PilatesPeach]

Gyms are not just gymnasiums at many places. Lots have group exercise classes and pools & aqua. Those need to be sorted too. Instructors want their classes back to earn an income. Most pure gyms etc do not have big group ex timetables but most other clubs do and many people come for the classes not the gymnasium. Some places run over 200 classes a week. Clubs need group ex to carry on to keep members coming back. They need tennis lessons for children & swimming lessons to make money.

[B1rdbra1n]

what if the UK distancing requirements are dropped to 1m?
that would make it easier for gyms surely?

[chunkyrun]

Pure gym before lock down has really limited numbers in. Sanitising stations. Constant cleaning throughout day. I agree, don't see why they can't go back to this

[fruitpastille]

I've really enjoyed zoom exercise classes and have been happy to pay for ones that are on every day at convenient times. I like the fact that it's live and they have to be pre booked so the commitment means I don't skip them. I actually prefer it to the gym as I don't have to travel there/park and my own shower is just upstairs. The gym isn't a social thing for me. I can see why other people miss it though.

[PilatesPeach]

I don't think sweat is an issue really but if you are breathing out with force the way you might when exerting yourself in the gym on a treadmill or when lifting heavy weights or doing an intense studio class like hiit, attack or combat then that is an issue - it has been shown that exhaling with vigour pushes more breath which contains moisture into the surroundings and that breath might be Covid19 positive - you need that breath & droplets not to land on someone or something really.

[PilatesPeach]

Big difference between the gym itself, cardio & weights classes and holistic classes and some are not hot & sweaty. eg yoga & pilates bring your own mat and reduce class sizes totally different to using the gym or body pump for example.

Many gyms are talking about people booking a slot for gym use eg 2 hours, reduced numbers and a gap inbetween for cleaning. Some group ex classes being done outside although might be difficult for some as no air con and people might get sunburned and music/sound an issue. No one really knows at the moment. Changing rooms an issue, same with loos.

Microphones an issue for instructors as those are shared - even if we bring our own bobble there still need to be alcohol wipes for cleaning.

Classes with lots of equipment eg pump again an issue. Wipes better than one spray bottle being picked up by all members to clean weights then dirty hands putting clean weights away.

Mat - big issue lots of germs even at non-Covid times.

Pre-Covid there was always a sizeable minority with no real inclination to wipe down equipment in classes or in the gym. Circuit classes with shared equipment a no-no.

I teach various classes and do them as a participant too. I can't teach or exercise in a mask.

Lots of people who go to clubs in particular go for the experience of doing a class or two then coffee with friends, maybe a beauty treatment, lunch and then bring kids back for tennis or swimming and have tea at the club. Some clubs charge ALOT for membership because of all the facilities on offer. People will be reluctant to pay the same fees (and have heard clubs are overall not looking to reduce fees because they can't really - they will still have same costs) for a lesser experience.

Some who are doing stuff at home and have equipment may not return - you waste alot of time just getting to and from the gym but some people are not self-motivated and need a club.

All very difficult I feel for gyms, instructors & members.

[Whatswrongwithmenow]

Our gym isn't massive but it's also rarely that busy - when I used to go in the evenings there would often only be 2 or 3 of us to 10 treadmills.

I'd love the gym to reopen asap, it's not easy to run outside here. I've tried buying a treadmill but nowhere seems to have any in stock.

The gym we go to is one of the 24 hour access ones, DS and I were discussing whether as members you could be given your 'slot' and just have to go at whatever time that is, I'd take a 3am slot if it got me some treadmill time!

[CoronaIsShit]

FootyWife you’re referring to classes with lots of people in an enclosed studio rather than an actual gym with weight/machines . Whole different ball game with regards to swing flinging!

Our gym is absolutely massive, 3 floors, loads of room to move machines further apart. I think if shops are opening, gyms should be discretionary if they are big enough to adhere to social distancing. No classes, no changing rooms. Our memberships have been frozen but I wouldn’t mind just being able to use the gym even though I pay for pool, spa, in that too.

Let’s face it the virus is not going to disappear before the end of this year at the very least. Will they really stay closed indefinitely!

[Sirzy]

Sorry fife I meant in the gym itself, although I am getting desperate enough I may try to find a park we can safely do it in!

[dramadrama]

I picked up a virus with coughing and temperature from a class in February before cv was a bit concern in the UK. It was the only place I’d been For days as I work from home and I have a pretty strong immune system. But it felt inevitable as two people in the studio coughed next to me.

[dramadrama]

There is no way I could exercise at intensity with a mask on.

Classes like Combat are hot and sweaty and people are moving all over the room while panting and sweating. Unless you limit them to very few people at a time it’s not possible. And then it would not be cost effective.

[FelicityBeedle]

It’s all very well saying wear a mask, but people breathe heavily When exercising, and homemade/publicly available masks simply aren’t that good. And I say that as an advocate for mask wearing. Heavier breathing/grunting means many more droplets in the air, AC systems mean they circulate round the gym, deeper breaths mean you inhale more of them, infection is inevitable

[FredAstaireAteMyHamSandwich]

I can’t wait until the swimming pool opens again. Being disabled it’s the only exercise I can do. I miss it so much.

[emmathedilemma]

@Fifef1y72 only in England is that allowed!