At the outset of the coronavirus pandemic, many gyms closed. When gyms were open, people were strongly advised not to go to minimize the risk of getting infected with COVID-19. Now that more people are vaccinated and gyms are better ventilated, should you go to the gym?
For sure, it is super important to exercise for your physical and mental health. But, there are lots of ways to exercise without going to the gym. Going to the gym continues to present risks, even if you are vaccinated.
Gretchen Reynolds reports for the New York Times that COVID-19 can spread easily in a room that is poorly ventilated. If there are several people in the room, floor fans are not going to prevent the spread. And, you are not safe even if you are six feet from a fellow gym members.
Group fitness classes are the perfect venue for the efficient spread of COVID-19. People are sweating and breathing heavily. It is hard to control the spread of an infection.
That said, if you do want to join a group fitness class, to be as safe as possible, wear a mask, keep 10 feet from others and make sure the space is well ventilated. Before attending a class, find out if the gym is limiting the number of members who can take part. Make sure that it is requiring people to wear masks. So long as there is good ventilation, the risk of contracting COVID-19 is relatively low. The risk increases the more intense and strenuous the group workout.
Keep in mind these warnings: The risk increases when people are breathing heavily. Moreover, at the gym, you have little control over the ventilation. And, you have little control over the people around you, who might remove their mask for a sustained period, if only to drink water. If they are infected, you could be at risk.
Even if you’ve been vaccinated, it is important to take precautions. Though your likelihood of contracting COVID-19 is low, you should still wear a mask and stay at least 10 feet from others to better protect yourself. That means that the distance to the next person in front, behind and on either side of you should be 10 feet. Carbon dioxide levels should not be more than 500 parts per million. If they are higher, you should open more windows and doors or leave the gym.
How would you know if a room is well-ventilated? If the room has one entrance and no windows, assume that it is not adequately ventilated. Ideally, the room should be cross-ventilated, with open doors or windows on both sides.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Exercise may be your best bet for bone health, not calcium or vitamin D supplements
- Five exercises to improve balance for safety and health
- Exercise can slow down the aging of your heart and muscles substantially
- Exercise may help memory and attention
- Mindful meditation could prolong your life without exercise
Leave a Reply