Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Masks in gym?

72 replies

Whathefisgoingon · 16/08/2021 21:39

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?

OP posts:
CatAlice · 17/08/2021 13:24

I currently have covid. Badly. Double vaxxed.
In the 48 hours before symptoms stareted I was at the gym. I can't possibly know where I got it but none of my family have it.
So OP I would suggest you are right to be nervous.

CompleteBarstool · 17/08/2021 13:31

The gym I go to is still insisting on pre-booking, limiting numbers and provides everyone with a spray bottle of cleaner to wipe down equipment before/after use.

The equipment is also cleaned by staff and the gym fogged before each morning, afternoon and evening session.

I have been a few times recently and have felt as safe there as I have anywhere else, in fact probably safer than shops etc as the gym members seem to respect each others personal space a bit more than shoppers.

I've never seen anyone working out in a mask even when masks were compulsory in the foyer, corridors etc

Happy36 · 17/08/2021 14:16

Cleaning equipment and surfaces is hygiene théâtre and does very little if anything to prevent transmission.

OP you could perhaps phone and ask when the least busy times are and wear an N95.

shouldistop · 17/08/2021 14:23

We only wear masks when walking through our leisure centre. Not at any activity or in the gym.

shouldistop · 17/08/2021 14:23

I live in Scotland.

SparklesandGold · 17/08/2021 14:49

In my gym you have to wear a mask when entering, exiting, going to and from the changing rooms and moving between workout stations but you don’t have to wear one when working out.

Of course it’s a personal choice so if you want to wear one then do so but personally I wouldn’t be.

SparklesandGold · 17/08/2021 14:50

Just sanitise your equipment before and after use and sanitise your hands and you’ll be fine.

PurpleDaisies · 17/08/2021 14:50

No. They are still limiting people in at one time though so it’s never very busy.

PurpleDaisies · 17/08/2021 14:54

@SparklesandGold

Just sanitise your equipment before and after use and sanitise your hands and you’ll be fine.
You’re really out of date with this.
SparklesandGold · 17/08/2021 15:04

@PurpleDaisies no, I’m really not out of date.

Hand sanitisation and equipment sterilisation help prevent infection and of course she should socially distance as much as possible.

If OP wants to wear a mask while working out then she is free to do so, if not then she maybe shouldn’t go to the gym.

There’s a risk with everything at the minute, up to OP if she wants to take that risk.

Planesandflying · 17/08/2021 15:08

There’s a risk with everything at the minute, up to OP if she wants to take that risk.

You do realise that just existing on the planet every day is a risk don't you? Hmm

SparklesandGold · 17/08/2021 15:09

@Planesandflying

There’s a risk with everything at the minute, up to OP if she wants to take that risk.

You do realise that just existing on the planet every day is a risk don't you? Hmm

Of course it is, I’m just saying that if OP is really worried about catching covid in the gym then of course she is free to wear a mask while working out if not then maybe it’s best not to go.
Planesandflying · 17/08/2021 15:33

SparklesandGold

Smile
dementedpixie · 17/08/2021 15:34

@SparklesandGold

Just sanitise your equipment before and after use and sanitise your hands and you’ll be fine.
Its not spread by unsanitised equipment. Its spread in the air. Sanitising everything is for show, not for stopping covid.
SparklesandGold · 17/08/2021 15:36

@dementedpixie I know that, that’s why you socially distance as much as possible. I’m sure her gym will also have good ventilation to.

Sanitising stuff does help though. If you cough/sneeze/spit over stuff or cough/sneeze etc onto your hands and touch stuff without cleaning it, it can spread that way too.

Other than that, there isn’t really much else you can do so you may as well just not go at all

IcedPurple · 17/08/2021 16:10

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.

If you think gyms are a 'cesspit' then I'm baffled as to why you would even consider joining one. Wearing a mask - a totally ridiculous thing to do while working out - won't take away the alleged cesspitedness.

It's obviously best that you save your money and exercise at home.

SparklesandGold · 17/08/2021 16:13

@IcedPurple

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.

If you think gyms are a 'cesspit' then I'm baffled as to why you would even consider joining one. Wearing a mask - a totally ridiculous thing to do while working out - won't take away the alleged cesspitedness.

It's obviously best that you save your money and exercise at home.

I agree. As I said earlier, there are risks with mixing with anyone regardless of the setting so it’s up to OP to decide if she wants to take that risk, if not just don’t go to the gym.

I think wearing a mask while working out would be highly uncomfortable

gogohm · 17/08/2021 16:14

No, not even to enter now

Dentistlakes · 17/08/2021 16:17

I wear a mask when walking into the gym and if I have to go to the toilet, but not when I’m on machines. I had to wear a mask to do a gait analysis for running shoes and it was awful. I definitely couldn’t wear one whilst doing any cardio.

wendz86 · 17/08/2021 16:23

I saw one guy wearing a mask in my gym. I think i would struggle working out and wearing a mask.

southeastdweller · 17/08/2021 16:59

No, I don’t see the point and I’m not alone as I’ve not seen one other person wear one in the gym since Covid started, when the gym was allowed to be open, despite subtle encouragement.

Happy36 · 17/08/2021 17:02

What dementedpixie said.

I've been working out in a mask ever since gyms reopened in 2020 (the law here, so everyone does it) and running daily too (used to be the law), it is fine. If you sweat or get out of breath, it's as a result of the exercise not the mask. A surgical one with ear loops tends to be the most comfortable.

dementedpixie · 17/08/2021 17:05

@Happy36

What dementedpixie said.

I've been working out in a mask ever since gyms reopened in 2020 (the law here, so everyone does it) and running daily too (used to be the law), it is fine. If you sweat or get out of breath, it's as a result of the exercise not the mask. A surgical one with ear loops tends to be the most comfortable.

I was just saying sanitising everything won't make much difference. I dont wear a mask while exercising though.
GintyMcGinty · 17/08/2021 17:07

I'm in Scotland so still mandatory.

We wear masks to the gym. You wear them walking around. But you take them off when exercising.

someusernameorother · 17/08/2021 17:43

@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?

"Seems" like a Covid cesspit and yet such a small number of cases are traced back to gyms where everyone is working out and panting all over each other. Work out outside if you're bothered. The last thing people want or need is masks in gyms.