Is the gym safe ?

marilenagrace · 2021-04-16T08:34:57+00:00

I really want to start going again. I went last summer a few times before being vaccinated and kept my distance from everyone. I made sure I was 4 metres plus away from anyone. Since then there has been more about aerosol transmission etc. I've had the first dose of the vaccine and will be due my second not long from now.. but I really want to start going. Thoughts ?

OpheliasCrayon · 16/04/2021 11:07

It's fine and I'm sure it's always been fine. And in any case when everything was locked down people were still catching it when the only available place was the supermarket. So I'd imagine if you went to the supermarket you can go to the gym

oldegg123 · 16/04/2021 11:14

I think it's about level of risk.

I'd say in general, a gym is higher risk than a supermarket as you have people working out (so doing faster, heavier breathing than usual), and not wearing masks, in a confined space.

But cases are low in the UK right now, you've had your first dose of vaccine a while ago so do have some level of protection. If I were you I'd go and enjoy it :)

I'm unvaccinated and will carry on going to the gym but potentially tail it off it we get back to a situation with cases exponentially rising.

Original poster

marilenagrace · 16/04/2021 11:22

Yeah it's tricky isn't it ! I definitely felt pretty safe last summer. I've gained so much weight in lock down! Surely that's also unhealthy haha. I'm just worried I'll catch it and give it to my unvaccinated husband and my DD. I'll just be extra careful. Like I said- I literally kept at least 4 metres between myself and anyone else last summer when I went to the gym. It was super OTT, but cases were low and I didn't catch it ! Thankfully !

OP posts:

coogee · 16/04/2021 11:23

I've been three times this week already, unvaccinated.

However, there are only five people in my gym at any one time, including the trainer, so I think the risk is relatively low.

bookworm1632 · 16/04/2021 11:31

I'm just worried I'll catch it and give it to my unvaccinated husband and my DD

That is probably the main risk, but it's a pretty low one at the moment. Your vaccination will almost certainly mean any case you got would be asymptomatic or mild, but you could still pass it on.

I'm going every day - there's usually about 50-60 at my gym but it's large and I note that almost nobody is working out hard on the aerobic equipment, so very little heavy breathing. And local cases are VERY low.

During the period gyms were open last year, T&T tracked very few cases back to gyms, which isn't conclusive, but suggestive that comparatively they are low risk if the rules are followed.

Useruseruserusee · 16/04/2021 12:01

I think you need to balance the risk based on how much going to the gym brings to your life. I am just as happy running so I’m not bothered about returning to the gym yet. However if it really helps your mental well-being then it would be worth it.

Chickenriceandpeas · 16/04/2021 12:04

People are far more likely to die of the associated risks of being unfit and overweight than they are of covid - just go! They’re cleaner than they’ve ever been. Enjoy!

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 16/04/2021 12:05

@OpheliasCrayon

It's fine and I'm sure it's always been fine. And in any case when everything was locked down people were still catching it when the only available place was the supermarket. So I'd imagine if you went to the supermarket you can go to the gym

I’ve always taken the supermarket comments with a pinch of salt tbh. How many would have told track and trace they went to the supermarket rather than own up to breaking the rules? I’d imagine the number was high.

No where can be classed as safe, you need to weigh up if you’re willing to take the risk. Like another poster, I’m not returning either. Very happy with the current routine and see no point changing and introducing extra risk.

Beebityboo · 16/04/2021 12:06

I've been wondering this too. I'm disabled with mobility issues but walking on a treadmill is much easier due to being easier on my knees/having something to hold on to on either side. I'm so overweight and really need to start getting active again. I've had a vaccine but would hate myself for giving DH covid if I pick it up at the gym.

Deux · 16/04/2021 12:10

I’ve been back and it was great. I’m assuming your gym is limiting numbers at any one time and you have to book a slot?

Check the infection rate in your borough maybe to put your mind at rest eg the infection rate in my borough is tiny, only 8/100000. Furthermore there’s lots of talk of the UK being close to herd immunity.

bookworm1632 · 16/04/2021 12:12

@OpheliasCrayon

It's fine and I'm sure it's always been fine. And in any case when everything was locked down people were still catching it when the only available place was the supermarket. So I'd imagine if you went to the supermarket you can go to the gym

This was never the situation!

You had many workplaces open - I think 1/3 of the workforce still needed to actually GO to work. Public transport, schools (OK reduced numbers, but they never closed), hospitals, care homes etc
And once people picked up an infection via one of these routes, they took it home and infected their household.

paralysedbyinertia · 16/04/2021 12:15

Hmm, I'd avoid it personally. We don't know what's going on with these new variants and your family members are still unvaccinated.

I tend to be quite cautious, though. Ultimately, it's up to you as to how comfortable you feel.

LondonWFuck · 16/04/2021 12:16

It's fine. I've been to the gym 4 times this week and going Sat and Sun too. I have to book a slot in advance and there's restricted numbers allowed in at any one time. I love being back in the gym!

paralysedbyinertia · 16/04/2021 12:17

People are far more likely to die of the associated risks of being unfit and overweight than they are of covid - just go!

It's not an either/or choice, though. There are other ways of exercising that carry less risk.

lubeybooby · 16/04/2021 12:17

Mine certainly seems so, pre booking, limited numbers, temp scan on arrival, hands free check in, sanitisers, one way system, lockers closed, everyone cleans equipment before and after use, equipment has been moved to over 2 metres apart too.

Also I'm fortunate to be able to go in the daytime when the only others there tend to be much older than me and presumably have mostly had their first and in some cases second vaccine

PurpleDaisies · 16/04/2021 12:19

The number of people with covid has fallen again according to the latest ons figures. I’d happily go back to the gym.

megletthesecond · 16/04/2021 12:19

It can't be as it's indoors.

I wish local authority gyms would step up and hold outdoor classes.

murbblurb · 16/04/2021 12:21

Depends how many windows are open - I would be wary of an air-conditioned basement or a crap windowless modern building. That might rule out most gyms!

CirqueDeMorgue · 16/04/2021 12:33

Yeah, exercise is really good for you.

ChocOrange1 · 16/04/2021 12:33

No the gym is not safe. You could fall off a treadmill and break your leg, you could twist your ankle on the spin bike or drown in the swimming pool. You could drop a weight and break your toe, or get your hand trapped between weights on the machines and break your hand.

Nothing in life is safe.

LucilleTheVampireBat · 16/04/2021 12:59

@ChocOrange1

No the gym is not safe. You could fall off a treadmill and break your leg, you could twist your ankle on the spin bike or drown in the swimming pool. You could drop a weight and break your toe, or get your hand trapped between weights on the machines and break your hand.

Nothing in life is safe.

Exactly!

Have people completely lost the ability to assess risk? There is nothing safe in life!

Is getting the bus safe? No, it might crash.
Is having a bath safe? No, you could fall asleep/pass out/have a heart attack and drown.

How long is this going to go on for?

Original poster

marilenagrace · 16/04/2021 13:03

@LucilleTheVampireBat @ChocOrange1 it's true. You're absolutely right. Putting my trainers on...

OP posts:

ChocOrange1 · 16/04/2021 13:05

@marilenagrace have fun

emmathedilemma · 16/04/2021 13:42

I'll be going when ours reopens, I need it for my mental and physical health! I won't be vaccinated by then but it felt as safe as it could be last year. It's probably the most risky thing I'll be doing but there's only so many times I can run or walk round the block and I exceeded my sanity levels for that a long time ago!

1moreglassplease · 16/04/2021 14:30

I go to a cheap gym and have been three times this week as I was really looking forward to them opening again. Despite signs telling everyone to wear a mask between training, as well as announcements over the tannoy, nobody is wearing one at all, even to come into the building which has no windows.

We're all supposed to use the sanitiser and wipes to wipe the equipment down when we've used it, for the next person. Today I was asked by someone whether he could get on the cross trainer as I was finishing. I told him I wanted to wipe it down and he said "It doesn''t matter". I then pointed out he should be wearing a mask and he said "It doesn't matter". Also had another man squeezing through next to a piece of equipment I was on as he couldn't be bothered to walk around and socially distance. They seem to keep their brains in their biceps!

I've had my first vaccine but most in there are too young, but everyone is behaving as though Covid has disappeared from the face of the earth so I find it frustrating and annoying. There were no staff around today but I'll definitely say something to one of them if I see one next week.