To think that we need to Reopen Gyms

[Coconut1978]

With the weather this time of year it’s so horrible to exercise outside and the parks are packed making it difficult to run.

It’s really hurting my mental and physical health not being able to adequately exercise.

I’m at a low risk of covid if I was infected and have already had the virus and recovered.

We know that obese nations like the US, UK and Mexico have done worse with the virus than nations like Japan and the Netherlands who are healthier.

I think as long as numbers are managed you should be able to book to use the gym and social distance and clean in there.

There are so few cases linked to gyms and they are a really low infection risk but are so beneficial to many of our mental and physical health.

Aibu to think gyms should be included in our daily exercise given our climate and poor health.

You really don’t need much equipment to get a work out. No weights? Put books or canned food in a back pack. No back pack? Put them in a towel or blanket & tie it up. You can do squats, step ups, star jumps high knees etc in a flat. Use a cushion as a slam ball. So many options. Have a look at Dame Kelly Holmes/Military in Motion on Instagram & YouTube, so many ideas & workouts that will get you sweating without going anywhere.

YABU. Athletes are managing to exercise in quarantine hotel rooms, I'm sure you can do it in your home. How do you think people managed before there was a gym on every street corner?

Scientists now claim the know that transmission is increased by activities like singing, shouting and getting out of breath.

So the gym is not safe and won't reopen.

If they open anything, it should be outdoor tennis, golf and running tracks, where children. as well as adults, can train and enjoy sport.

that's what they did in the netherlands.
outdoor sports activities for children are still open and anything that can has moved outside as well even fencing or gymnastics.
changing areas/showers are closed though.

at first gyms have put their treadmills out on the pavements. but now all gyms are closed apart for physio or rehab.

I really miss my outdoor exercise classes run by our neighbour in a local field - socially distanced of course. I'm hoping they might start again soon as doing them on zoom is like drinking alcohol free wine at a party.

@EmmanuelleMakro

Definitely agree. Near me is an open air (heated) pool that had tip shut -totally barmy. The gvt and lockdown fanatics on here are presumably couch potatoes who are glad of the excuse to settle for a Netflix life with complete contempt the mental (and physical) health of those who are more responsible about staying healthy.

Horrible post. No, not everyone who thinks gyms are not safe are ‘couch potatoes’. Ffs.

I agree @Frenchdressing, unnecessarily rude and condescending. Everyone is doing their best. Just because someone thinks essential childcare or something should open before a gym doesn’t mean they are fat wasters.

@EmmanuelleMakro

Definitely agree. Near me is an open air (heated) pool that had tip shut -totally barmy. The gvt and lockdown fanatics on here are presumably couch potatoes who are glad of the excuse to settle for a Netflix life with complete contempt the mental (and physical) health of those who are more responsible about staying healthy.

You're right. We just want to watch Netflix, it has nothing to do with wanting to minimise the transmission in other places so that young people can get an education and families can keep an income.

Also, it is ironic to see you arguing to open up.gyms in a pandemic as a way to stay healthy For most of history, humans did not have gyms. The vast majority of the world, including many strong and healthy people, still.did not have access to a gym before covid. If you can't get the motivation to turn on YouTube and find a bodyweight workout at home, or go for a walk/run/ride on local streets, then perhaps you are the one with motivation issues.

I think gyms and sports clubs need to reopen but I also think schools need to reopen. Maybe they could reopen at the same time.

I miss the gym massively. But I can still see why at the moment like most things they need to remain closed.

I hope when things start opening up they are early in the opening but until then I will do the best I can at home and going out for walk and runs

The gvt and lockdown fanatics on here are presumably couch potatoes who are glad of the excuse to settle for a Netflix life with complete contempt the mental (and physical) health of those who are more responsible about staying healthy
No, they are people who don't just rely on the gym to get fit.

I'm never of an exclusive gum and miss it but there are no excuse for saying you can't otherwise exercise. I've always run outside...in nice conditions. I've realised that running in wind and cold temperatures are actually excellent training, much better than the treadmill.

I do hit classes on line. These can be done in a 2m square parameters that anyone can find if they move things around.

I walk at a fast pace a lot more, and do weights...in front of the TV.

Two of my kids have taken up couch to 5k and both are now running over 5k.

Gyms a far from essential for exercising. Yes it's more convenient but if the end goal is physical and mental fitness, there are definitely other ways.

No way, OP.

My gym is owned by an anti lockdown covid denier and a lot of the clients feel the same after devouring his social media outpourings.

With a new variant that's more transmissible, more deadly, and combined with winter conditions, no way should gyms be opened.

Stop making excuses and get out for a run, or push some of your furniture out of the way and do online classes. I've done loads in tiny hotel rooms over the last decade, it's possible, you're just being contrary.

The only time one of us has had to isolate us due to DH working at the gym, do I'd disagree. We have four jobs, so other than avoiding the supermarket, we're out more than most.

DH goes on a walk/bike ride every day, a longer walk with me in Saturdays and also goes on a hill walk from home once a week. Inside he's doing press ups and other exercises. I'm doing online exercise classes and a fast 45min walk every day.

The gvt and lockdown fanatics on here are presumably couch potatoes who are glad of the excuse to settle for a Netflix life with complete contempt the mental (and physical) health of those who are more responsible about staying healthy

No, I do hiit 4 times a week, yoga twice and 2 or 3 runs a week. I've never had a gym membership, I do it all at home.

One thing has struck me about this post. Although running isn’t an option for me as I can’t physically do it, it’s nice to see people suggesting running, unlike other posts where runners are constantly moaned at/about!

My friend got covid from the gym. There’s was a huge cluster there of 8 people who all got it. Let’s not open the gyms. This lockdown is not strict enough as it is. Numbers are horrendous.

Fitter, beyond a certain point, is not healthier, in fact the super fit have lowered immunity.

It is easy to keep fit and healthy without a gym. Gyms used to be very niche and people were, on average, fitter.

The cult of ‘training’, unless you actually are an athlete, is a modern fad. It is definitely not a necessity to be prioritised in tough times.

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

One thing has struck me about this post. Although running isn’t an option for me as I can’t physically do it, it’s nice to see people suggesting running, unlike other posts where runners are constantly moaned at/about!

I really miss running, I’m 29 weeks pregnant and can’t wait to get back to it.

You don’t need to go to a gym to be fit. It’s nice, but not essential.

Don't run outside on the ice though! A&E doesn't need broken legs or ankles just now. Grateful DH managed to get a second hand running machine last month as it's been lethal for outdoor running here for the past few weeks (Scotland).

To all those saying they can't exercise in a 1 or 2 bed flat, we live in a house but last year did Joe Wicks 3 times a week with 6 in a not big at all living room. You think you can't but maybe try?

No, gyms should be closed until after the schools reopen but I’d like outdoor swimming pools to open.

Schools first, but after that gyms should be much sooner than they were after the restrictions of last March were gradually lifted. Agree with @DrunkenKoala about outdoor swimming pools.

Gyms have membership schemes and usually access controls (smart cards) so tracking a tracing anyone is easier than for many activities.

OPs observation about infection rates/deaths and poor general health is a valid one, though of course not the whole story.

Funnily enough the world doesn’t revolve around you OP.

I was also a regular gym goer, but reopening them before schools would be absolute madness. When they reopened them last year the staff at mine tried their absolute best to keep it clean but so many stupid people didn’t follow the rules of wiping stuff down, wearing masks, sanitising hands etc. With the best will in the world is just not safe.

You absolutely can workout at home. I’ve been amazed at how easy it’s been to do so. There are loads of low impact, no equipment work outs on YouTube to follow.

Your being extremely selfish and unrealistic.
I joined the gym in december, had 3 weeks of it going every other day, really started noticing a very small difference in my fitness, loved it, I was gutted when they shut. But we are in lockdown what do you expect.
Just silly to say they should open, when schools are shut.

@stayathomer

To all those saying they can't exercise in a 1 or 2 bed flat, we live in a house but last year did Joe Wicks 3 times a week with 6 in a not big at all living room. You think you can't but maybe try?

I did it a few times but lost interest as there were quite a few bits I couldn't do and just ended up march on the spot so it got boring.

I couldn't be arsed to move the coffee table and cat scratching post, roll back the rug and move the sofa for it but I need to have a look and see what else is out there.