Do you think gyms will close again?

[Youngatheart00]

Went to the gym tonight and tbh it didn’t feel safe - people aren’t wiping down the equipment pre / post using it like they’re supposed to and no masks anywhere in the club. Also seemed quite crowded.

How much longer do we think gyms will be open for? I really want to keep going but tonight was the first time I really felt wary.

I tried mine, i didnt stay longer than 5 mins. They were certainly doing their best but no fresh ventilation. Its just not safe with the rising cases.

Yes i think they will be closed again.

It’s going to be much harder to stay fit in this 6 month stint than the past, I think. Sunny spring workouts in the garden were quite a novelty but in the damp cold winter it will be more challenging.

I’ve a peloton bike on order but that won’t be delivered until the end of November!!

You need to talk to the manager of the club. My gym and it’s members are doing a sterling job. They have a limit on the number of people and everyone is wiping with the wipes provided. I’d personally call anyone out who wasn’t.

My gym is fantastic. App tells you how busy the gym is. I have been for the last 4 weeks and I have not seen one person who hasn't wiped down a machine after use. Staff also come around regularly to wipe down the machines. Gym closes at 22.00 to enable a deep clean to be carried out.

Mine is a fairly premium gym but no app that tells you how busy it is, no ability to book a gym slot (I asked about this and was told it’s not required as they’re not at capacity....I’d hate to know what the capacity is!). I don’t feel comfortable challenging people who haven’t sanitised stuff. the club put out an email reminded to all members last week but it doesn’t seem to have done much. Some people still don’t care.

This would make me quite sad as my gym (independent crossfit style place) is probably the safest place I ever go these days. Very clear distancing marking, massively reduced capacity, hangar doors open for ventilation, and they've rejigged their timetable so everyone spends 10-15 minutes cleaning down all their kit afterwards. I think a ban would finish them.

My gym has been excellent- I wipe machines before and after. Only allow a certain number of people in and staff ensuring everyone wipes down equipment after themselves.

Ours have only just opened (scotland) and all classes/gym spaces have to be booked in advance and spaces are limited.

I go to a local leisure centre gym, and the measures yours have put in place sound feeble.

We book a 75 minute slot online (max of 20 people per slot but you can see how busy it is when you book it). When you arrive you queue up outside for temp to be taken and to be booked in. Follow one way system through the centre to get to the gym. Every piece of equipment is in a 2m square and only one person allowed in each square. Paper towel and spray all over the place. Wipe down everything before and after you use it. Instructors wipe down everything as well. After the 75 min slot gym closes for 15 mins to be wiped down and closes for 3 hours in the middle for antivirus fogging which is done at the end of the day as well. Feels v clean and safe, and due to 2m rule in place at all times, no masks necessary

Probably, the increasing stages of restrictions would logically include closing down recreational buildings or non essential retail again

You should really speak to someone if you don't feel safe.

It's the gyms who take the piss that will get the whole industry closed down

The yoga studio I go feels incredibly safe.
They have place markings where you have to put your mat and they are all placed 2 metres apart, you wear a mask until you get on the mat. There's hand sanitizer and a one way system and no changing rooms.

I'll be very sad if they all have to close.

I think they're waiting for more incidents related to gyms, just like the pubs.

In my gym everyone was being careful in the first month but now most people are being carefree and not wiping down equipment. They have even put new signs up recently that everyone needs to book before use, I'm guessing they where starting yo get a lot of walk-ins.

I always look out for myself and wipe before every use and use hand gel before and after aswell.

Our studios have big squares marked out. The classes are now only 45 minutes with 15 minutes cleaning time. The gym can be booked in 1 hour slots and after each hour there is a cleaning time. You have to book in advance, there is a one way system, masks to be worn when moving around the building and lots of hand sanitiser

You have to book a slot at my gym using an app. Maximum four members plus two trainers. 15 minutes between slots for cleaning. Big barn doors for ventilation.

It is very well organised and feels very safe.

Mine is a small independent gym. Only 5 people at a time. Everyone has their own station with all their own equipment. Classes are 10 minutes shorter than usual u so we can clean everything we have used ready for the next person. Like someone else said before, another shutdown would finish them off.

Your gym does not sound well managed op. I would speak to management.

Wow, impressed at some of these measures.

It would be a shame if the side is let down by some of the big boys. The chain I mention is David lloyd. Tbf aside from the lack of booking slots there is plenty of cleaner / wipes available it’s just that the selfish ignorant people round here just don’t seem bothered and the gym staff can’t keep up.

As usual, the few will spoil it for the many 🙄

If you're stuck in a contract, I'd print off some of these replies & ask your gym why it's not taking proper precautions.

If you're not stuck in a contract, I'd go elsewhere.

@Youngatheart00 i've just taken out a trial membership for David Lloyd and was very surprised when in the jacuzzi people kept coming in until I got out. There appeared to be no max number noted. I only joined to use the outdoor pool and thankfully that doesn't seem so popular, but I'm worried about track and trace, so I doubt I'll go that often.

There's a regular poster who lives in Germany, their gyms have been open since mid May & not linked to any outbreaks. her (I think!) gym sounds like the good ones mentioned on here though so well organised & people abiding by the rules.

OP I think you need to complain, like PP have said you don't want the minority ruining it for everyone else.

Outbreaks connected with gyms are less than 0.4 people per 100,000 whereas national average is over 30 per 100,000.

I teach at 6 gyms they are all fantastic - constant cleaning, temperature checks, in one door, out the other, sanitiser everywhere - yours sounds rubbish and not representative of the vast majority - many have recruited extra cleaners. Speak to the manager at your place. At the places I work no one has to be reminded to clean equipment after use - we all just do it but if the members at yours are so slack, then the manager needs to get on it. Masks were never required at clubs till today and not when exercising in any event.

My gym just asked us to start wearing masks from today !

While exercising?
We have to wear them around the building but not while working out

I think what needs to happen is that individual establishments that don't follow the rules need to be reported and closed down, either temporarily, or until this outbreak is under control.

That should apply to gyms where members don't wipe equipment down or pubs where customers don't stay seated, as examples.

But if places are doing their best to keep people safe, and their customers are following the rules, there is no need to close them down.