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Covid

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Original poster

Fitness class overcrowded

74 replies

Zig27 · 14/09/2021 20:34

I went to an aerobics class as the instructor said places were limited. When I got there people just walked in without putting any sanitiser on. There were 26 people in the hall and not all of the external doors were open for ventilation. I just feel people have become complacent now they have had the vaccine and things have reopened. I won’t be going again as I felt uncomfortable. Especially with so much movement, sweating and breathing. Anyone else avoiding indoor classes?

OP posts:

user1493494961 · 15/09/2021 09:20

I wouldn't go back either Op.

Chillychangchoo · 15/09/2021 10:19

Yes I agree the hand sanitiser is useless however I still use it as a tick box gesture. Gathered it doesn’t do me any harm but I know it’s going to stop me potentially getting covid at the gym.

It’s to look like they’re doing something rather than nothing.

Chillychangchoo · 15/09/2021 10:19

I know it’s not rather

takemetocedarpoint · 15/09/2021 10:24

Not sure why people are being so rude to the OP.

Personally, I would not go back to that class either because 26 people does not sound "limited" to me.

I do go to indoor classes now, though - twice a week. For what it's worth, our classes are really quite different to what you have described. We have all the windows and doors open and everyone has their temperature taken and sanitises hands before they arrive. Yes, this probably doesn't do anything when the virus is airborne but it makes us feel a bit safer and that we are doing what we can. It's a martial arts class and we do partner work with actual close contact and shouting. I feel pretty safe because the instructor is doing everything possible to make it as safe as possible for everyone. So it is a risk I am willing to take, and I enjoy the partner work too after nearly 2 years of not doing it. But I don't think I would go to your class, OP!

Whatever9999 · 15/09/2021 10:31

But limited could have meant 40+. Doesn't sound like there was any number specified.
If you want to go to a class where there is a quantified max then you need to look for somewhere that insists on booking.
My local gym runs classes where you have to book so there is a limited number, but the other classes I go to a run by an independent instructor and there is no booking. Remember the instructor will have had to hire the hall and therefore needs to cover that cost (along with insurance, music licence, petrol etc) before they even make a profit. If they only allow half the number of people to attend then they are going to really have to hike up their prices, or go out of business.

amicissimma · 15/09/2021 10:31

I can't comment on the numbers as I don't know how big the hall is. If I go somewhere that I think is too crowded, I leave. As I did before Covid.

Hand sanitiser. As PP say, what is the point of that in an aerobics class?

" not all of the external doors were open for ventilation." So some doors were open. Again, without knowing the hall it's hard to say if that would be sufficient, but I would walk away from anywhere stuffy.

On the face of it, it's impossible for anyone who wasn't there to say if the class was well run or not. But you could choose whether to stay or leave, as do I.

ifonly4 · 15/09/2021 10:32

Might be worth trying a different class. At my exercise class, we still need to enter via the back (so we don't pass others in corridors), we're asked to queue distanced and we have spots placed on floor which we have to focus on returning to. We also have to take our own equipment and instructor asks for a general censous of opinion on what we're comfortable with on a regular basis. My spot is right by the door that remains open all weathers. Instructor still asks that we let her know if we get a positive PCR/LFT so she can let the rest of the class know of a possible contact.

Milkbottlelegs · 15/09/2021 10:33

When I got there people just walked in without putting any sanitiser on

Maybe they had just watched their hands? I do when I get to the gym.

HarrietOh · 15/09/2021 11:23

Thank god my fitness classes are back to normal! If you're concerned about COVID find some outdoor exercise classes or something similar.

Original poster

Zig27 · 15/09/2021 15:36

VENTILATION is my biggest concern. I couldn’t give two hoots about sanitiser. Each to their own. We all know the risks.

OP posts:

rwalker · 15/09/2021 17:20

@IsabellesMissingSockrwalker
I get where the OP is coming from if she would of known she would of made the choice not to go.

I don't think she was expecting or wanting loads of restriction just the info so she could make the choice

Well then she could always have left when she was that bothered by people exercising at an exercise class.

Your missing the point of course she could of left wouldn't it of been better to know in advance she didn't go to the effort of changing and getting there she could of just stayed at home .

Pootle40 · 15/09/2021 17:32

No not avoiding. I think the opposite actually. Thank god for the return of life.

TiddleTaddleTat · 15/09/2021 17:44

I agree OP, sounds like it isn't the class for you. Fwiw I am v cautious around covid but now that bubbles etc are over in schools I've started back at the gym and pool. I go when it's quiet and ventilation and spacing seems good. I also use the pool more as I think it's lower risk (due to chlorine) and sauna (which I've read up on and is apparently safe as virus killed by high temp in sauna). So I've made my own risk assessments and decided that on balance I want to do those things. I think everyone has to make their own judgements about what they feel comfortable doing alongside their own circumstances.

As an aside - I don't think this extends to 'essential' things like food shopping or transport. I would support masks being mandated in England in these settings.

ParkheadParadise · 15/09/2021 17:46

My fitness classes have gone from
12 to 22 to 35 now in a smallish room.

ArranMumma · 15/09/2021 18:05

Hand sanitizer isn’t going to make a difference in that situation.
If you’re worried about group environments then don’t go, simple.

Stuffin · 15/09/2021 18:08

Was it overcrowded or just normal levels?

Businesses can't afford to keep restrictions when they don't have too.

Don't go if it bothers you but equally don't expect them to be able to survive if they only let a few people in.

megletthesecond · 15/09/2021 18:08

I haven't been to the gym since the pandemic. I workout outside at a bootcamp class, in my garden or go running.
I have no desire to be indoors unless it's essential.

NotAnotherPylon · 15/09/2021 18:23

Some of these replies are ridiculous. The OP wasn't expressing surprise about people moving, sweating and breathing in a fitness class, but that there was inadequate ventilation for her to feel comfortable in an environment where people are invariably doing these things. Are people wilfully misunderstanding, not reading the OP properly, or just a bit dense?

I exercise outdoors or at home because I feel safer. But everyone who wants to exercise in poorly ventilated rooms, crack on. Boris says it's ok👍

Againstmachine · 15/09/2021 18:30

Er people have read the OP correctly maybe you haven't, she doesn't want to go to go to some where people are creating sweating and moving, that is litterlaly a fitness class.

NotAnotherPylon · 15/09/2021 18:42

No, seriously, I litterlaly read it just fine thanks.

Peteycat · 15/09/2021 19:47

"15:36Zig27

VENTILATION is my biggest concern. I couldn’t give two hoots about sanitiser. Each to their own. We all know the risks."

FGS exercise outside then. 😩

Dreamstate · 15/09/2021 22:25

@Zig27

VENTILATION is my biggest concern. I couldn’t give two hoots about sanitiser. Each to their own. We all know the risks.

Well how much ventilation is good enough? For some itd be one or two windows open...for others just an ac on in a no window room...

Honestly your best off exercising outside then you don't have to worry if there will ever be enough for you

RosesandPumpkins · 15/09/2021 22:30

Nope. Couldn’t give a shit. Restrictions have lifted. Life moves on.

Peteycat · 15/09/2021 22:30

@Takemetocedarpoint

"
Not sure why people are being so rude to the OP."

Perhaps it's because most people are exhausted and fatigued by this constant neurosis.

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