Distancing arrangements in gyms

[bigbluebus]

I posted this in Exercise but haven't had any replies yet so I thought I'd try here.

If you go to a gym in the current climate, how far apart are the machines - in particular the Cardio machines and are the members adhering to social distancing rules of 2m or is it 1m at your gym?

The reason I am asking is that things have changed recently at the gym I go to and I am disagreeing with the owners on their interpretatiom of the distancing rules, so, with cases on the rise, I want to know what other gyms are doing. Thank you.

My gym have shifted all the machinery about. Areas are marked out 2m x 3m. inside each area is one cardio machine, one step, one barbell and weights, selection of dumbbells and kettles. You have to book an hourly slot in advance. No moving areas. I've not been back as I don't fancy being restricted to one cardio machine for that length of time.

I haven't exactly measured but all our machines and exercise areas look to be 2m apart or thereabouts.

Staff are required to wear masks but exercisers are not (thank God). Even at full booking capacity the gym is never totally full - our gym has a rolling system of bookings rather than everyone in for an hour and then shut for cleaning. It works well.

All members are asked to clean everything before and after use and I would say 95% of them do.

Gym staff are not conducting any induction or review sessions so spend pretty much all their time cleaning, paying particular attention to the fiddly bits like knobs and levers that members might typically forget.

Thank you WoodenFox. My gym have very recently shifted equipment about as they deemed it was getting particularly busy in one area (which it was) but it wasn't an area that I used. Following the moving of the equipment it has now become more crowded in part of the CV area to the point that machines aren't 2m apart (I measured 1.4m between 2 rowing machines today and that was the runners not the seats) but all the 2m distancing signs have been removed and the owner seems to be saying it's been changed to 1m. I can't find any evidence for this except for where it is 'unavoidable' (this is not unavoidable in my opinion they just need to lose a machine or 2) and you're wearing a mask and/outdoors. SInce the weather got cold the previously opened doors have been closed. I do not consider it to be either safe or within the rules especially with cases now rising in our (previously) low incidence area.

Interesting that you mention masks Spodge. On most of the occasions I have been in to my gym there is only one staff member who is behind a perspex screen. But when DH has been in, there have been 2 people and they are rarely social distancing nor are they wearing masks when they come out from behind the screen to clean. DH is of the opinion that they should be wearing masks when in close contact even though the rules don't require exercisers to do so.

I would say all except the resistance machines are 2m apart. Some equipment has been moved around, the free weights area has zones marked out on the floor, and some cardio equipment is marked as out of use to create space between users. The resistance machines are arranged in groups so once you're using them you're probably over a 1m away from anyone else. In some areas walking around the gym you couldn't be 2m from people because it's not that big a room.
The studios are well marked out with marks on the floor to indicate your space. Everyone wears a mask until they are in the gym or studio, or in the changing rooms in the case of swimmers. There's a one way system in place so you go in through the main front door but leave through fire escapes to outdoors where possible. Reception has a perspex screen up and you now scan your own membership card. Staff are all wearing masks apart from those teaching lessons. There's a 15min slot betwen gym sessions for cleaning. It feels really good and as safe as it could be, i wouldn't be going otherwise! It's annoying that the new rules in scotland seem to have stopped gym classes operating (still awaiting official confirmation from the gym) as that seems more controlled than the gym and not having them on will make the gym busier!

If you aren’t happy with what they’re doing. Don’t go there.

At my gym, I tend to do more classes than weights. I do use cross trainer and bikes though

Hand sanitiser upon entry to the building

If you’re in the cafe or buying things from cafe, you wear a mask Until you’re sitting at your table.

There is continuous cleaning going on. Not only from cleaning staff but also the personal trainers are going around sanitising gym equipment

Gym equipment has been mi Ed around but also every other machine has a sign in it thst they’re self isolating

Members are to clean equipment before and after use. There are many cleaning stations around with rolls of paper towels and cleaning fluid. Also lots of hand sanitiser around

In the rooms for classes, there are markings on the floor for your own area. Weights for body pump are to be left in your square after class and are sanitised by staff after each class. There are no more back to back classes, there is at least 30 minutes between classes where the room and equipment is cleaned. The same is true for the yoga studio.

Class sizes are reduced to allow for social distancing - which is between 1 to 2 (even up to 3) metres (depending upon where you are in your square).

I have seen some Covidiots who have not cleaned their machine after use. I do admit to giving them a glare. Takes less than a minute to spray and wipe. Idiots.

@PolarBearStrength what a stupid post.

If the OP thinks their health and the health of others in her local area is at risk then they need to check before deciding whether to escalate the matter.

Is it part of a chain OP? Can you report up?

In my gym they have taken about half the cardio machines out of action so there is at least one machine inbetween users

Mine has every other machine (treadmill, cross trainer etc) out of use. Don't think it is 2m but I am OK with it.

@PolarBearStrength - don't worry, I won't be setting foot in the place unless I get reassurance that equipment will be spaced in accordance with what I think are the current guideline ie 2m apart. Other gyms do seem to be sticking to what I believe the guidance to be a lot better than my current gym. I actually walked out this morning as I had to stop my workout and get off a machine as someone got on the machine next to me and didn't see a problem with being only about 1.2 meters away. The boss wasn't in so I asked the staff member present to get him to ring me - I'm still waiting - I guess I know where I stand now - my (&DH's) membership is clearly not important to them in spite of us paying our membership fee right through lockdown as we wanted the gym to survive. I just hope that they don't end up getting a case linked to them as I know for a fact that many of the members are not socially distancing inside or outside of the gym so it is all the more important that they remain 2m away from me. There are many positive cases of Covid currently in the small town where they gym is - and rising!

AuntieJoyce It isn't part of a chain, it's an independent. Since re-opening they have been really careful up until last week. I'm not sure what has changed.

My husbands gym seems to have no social distancing, people aren’t wiping down equipment after using which they are meant to, not wearing masks when walking about and he has witnessed personal trainers hugging clients.

I do classes in a small studio - only five in a class, we al get given wipes to wipe down at the end of each station.

I would definitely speak to them. What you’re experiencing would make me uncomfortable too

Ridingthegravytrain Sounds a bit like our gym in the evening - I don't go then thankfully.

AuntieJoyce I am waiting for a call from one of the owners but 4.5 hours after I requested it I've heard nothing so I'm beginning to think they are happy to lose 2 more members (which i know for a fact they can't afford to do)

We have to wear a mask to enter the gym and when moving stations. All staff wear masks.
Our spaces are marked out on the floor and some machines are out of use to keep the distancing.
Classes are smaller and the doors windows are open all the time.
Everything is to be cleaned between uses by each person and the gym staff and cleaning too.

Ours have every other treadmill taped off so people are about two metres apart, and in the studio they have squares taped out on the floor that people have to stay in.

Glad to see that your gyms are sticking to the guidance.

@Ridingthegravytrain

My husbands gym seems to have no social distancing, people aren’t wiping down equipment after using which they are meant to, not wearing masks when walking about and he has witnessed personal trainers hugging clients.

At my gym most are wiping down equipment. Only saw one that might not have but I could've missed it as I am concentrating on my iPad.

Masks are not required at our gym when entering or leaving. Not seen a PT or a PT session yet.