Masks in gym?

[Whathefisgoingon]

I’m considering joining the gym.

This is a big deal as I’m really worried about covid and have been all along. Gyms seem like a total covid cesspit too.

So, I’m curious - has anyone worn a mask to the gym?

I don’t but some people do. My gym
Has good ventilation and a decent cleaning system. I expect it’s still full of germs though

Masks when working out sounds like a terrible idea.

You can't wear a mask when working out. I think if you are so worried, you'd be best exercising at home. There are some great workouts online.

You might be able to wear a mask when lifting weights / doing resistance work. If you’re planning on any cardio though, it’s a very bad idea

If you are wanting people to wear masks ect.

The gym really won't be for you.

I wear it walking in and until I get to the first piece of equipment but then keep it off.

I have been to the gym 5 times a week since they reopened, both on the gym floor and in classes, there have been no covid cases or pings from anyone in classes. They are not full of germs (or at least mine isn’t) the staff and gym users have worked incredibly hard to keep it clean and everyone is respectful of others space even since restrictions have eased. no one wears a mask as breathing in your own breath when exercising is not only ridiculous but incredibly dangerous. The benefit you will get from working out both mentally and physically outweighs in my opinion the risk caused by covid. Also your mask protects others not you, so if you are the only person wearing one (which I think you will be) it’s pointless.

Fucking hell no way!

If you're anxious about Covid in gyms, then I suggest you workout in a park?

You shouldn't wear a mask when exercise because you're then breathing in your own air

I've been back at the gym since they opened but going first thing in the morning so really quiet!
It felt really weird being inside without a mask at first, kept having that moment of shit I've forgotten my mask!

Everyone in there is really good at wiping down equipment & using hand gel regularly but like I say I've been when it's quiet, no idea what it's like at 6pm!

Gyms are one of the last places I'd want to be at the moment.

I'd do what what we've done - save on the membership fees and Covid risk by investing in a couple of pieces of good quality home gym equipment. You can pick up the likes of bikes and treadmills for cheap these days.

@NannyAndJohn

Gyms are one of the last places I'd want to be at the moment.

I'd do what what we've done - save on the membership fees and Covid risk by investing in a couple of pieces of good quality home gym equipment. You can pick up the likes of bikes and treadmills for cheap these days.

Great if you have the room. I knew someone who lived in a bedsit and joined a gym just so he could use their showers. I do wonder how he managed during lockdown.

If you are that worried, don't join a gym.

It isn't a good idea to wear a mask during exercise.

Get some equipment, go running or do online training.

Ignore nannyandjohn they are proper fearmongers.

Go to the gym

Being going to my Gym several times a week since they re-opened and last year as well.

No one wears masks, is very clean and there have been no Covid outbreaks.

Gyms were found to be 2.8% of infections compared with supermarkets at 11.2%.

At my gym, everyone has to wear a mask. This means no showers. Numbers are limited so that there isn't crowding. They try their best with ventilation but it's not ideal.

I'm in Scotland so we have to wear a mask moving around the sports centre/going to the toilet, etc but you don't wear it while working out

And our showers just reopened this week although I just shower at home

Ive been going to classes and doing resistance training since they reopened. I really don't think gyms are cesspits.
My gym had a small outbreak where a couple of the trainers had covid. Close contacts isolated (and tested negative) and none of the gym goers caught it in that time either. We have decent ventilation, get temperature checked on the way in and don't share equipment. We also space out in classes. We are also required to wear a mask until you get to your workout area and when moving around from area to area - but I'm in Scotland so we have a different set up in that sense.

@Whathefisgoingon

I’m considering joining the gym.

This is a big deal as I’m really worried about covid and have been all along. Gyms seem like a total covid cesspit too.

So, I’m curious - has anyone worn a mask to the gym?

I go to the gym 4 times a week,only wear a mask when talking to staff or signing in. No one wears mask whilst exercising. Everyone does wipe down the equipment though. My gym has spread the kid out so you aren't to close to others

@Katie517

I have been to the gym 5 times a week since they reopened, both on the gym floor and in classes, there have been no covid cases or pings from anyone in classes. They are not full of germs (or at least mine isn’t) the staff and gym users have worked incredibly hard to keep it clean and everyone is respectful of others space even since restrictions have eased. no one wears a mask as breathing in your own breath when exercising is not only ridiculous but incredibly dangerous. The benefit you will get from working out both mentally and physically outweighs in my opinion the risk caused by covid. Also your mask protects others not you, so if you are the only person wearing one (which I think you will be) it’s pointless.

Breathing in your own air isn't "incredibly dangerous" - this is a myth. The concentration of oxygen you receive is identical, but occasionally you may feel like you are receiving less when it isn't the case.

Still, doing cardio outdoors may be the better option.

Nope, I'm mask exempt anyway, but have been going to the gym 4xweek (plus classes) whenever it's been open). Granted it is very well ventilated with a.huge sliding door, but in all that time I've only seen one person wearing a mask (and he soon stopped). No cases linked to that gym.

Tbh I found it a blessed relief from the glares and comments about my not wearing a mask and the sensory overload from everyone around me wearing one. My one little island of normality.
They did, however, implement extra cleaning and everyone is really good at cleaning down equipment after themselves. Too good it seems as they had to put up signs requesting the cleaning spray wasn't applied directly to equipment.
Since restrictions were lifted last month we've stopped cleaning down the metal weight plates (if you lift and use metal plates then you'll know just how disgusting they get when constantly wet/damp). But everything else gets wiped down.

The benefits of the gym without a mask may well outweigh the risks associated with covid for many people. Yes many people can improve their fitness outdoors or at home but for others the gym may be the only feasible option.

I’ve been going to the gym from when it opened and I did see what it was like wearing a mask - not good. I don’t do a very strenuous workout but it was uncomfortable so I abandoned it.
Those who, like me, were regulars before July were used to mask wearing on the premises outside the gym, carefully wiping equipment and hand gel and thoughtful social distancing when moving around. It felt safe and pleasant. I’m somewhat annoyed and surprised that now there are a number of people who don’t give any thought to mitigation measures and behave as though Covid has disappeared entirely, especially as I now know many more people quite ill with it (though caught elsewhere). It doesn’t stop me going but it’s not an entirely comfortable experience.

I'm very cautious OP too. I go to the gym three to five times a week and have since it re opened in April.

During restrictions there was a max number of people and a booking system. This felt very safe. When this was dispensed with, I changed the times I go to the quieter times of day, and don't work out on the cardio machines if it's within two metres of someone else.

The whole place is cleaned down regularly and we all clean equipment after use. It feels acceptable to me.

Resistance and weights would be doable in a mask, but not cardio.