Anyone gone back to the gym?

What is the experience like?

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

I haven't. I have a brother that lives in California and he went back the other day. He said it was suppose to be by appointment only. He said that you had to wear a mask and that you had to sanitize and wipe down all parts of the equipment before using and after using.
He said that when him and his wife arrived there was only one other person there, and that after about 30 minutes people started pouring in, so they decided to leave and that by the time they got done sanitizing the equipment there was about 40 people in there and there was no social distancing at all. And that none of the equipment had been spread out so it wasn't close together, nor was any of it roped off so it couldn't be used.
He said they aren't going back again for quite awhile.

I've gone back to a gym in Virginia. I go really early in the morning and work out with a trainer and a small group. We each stay in our sections for 3 reps and then wipe down our 3 machines and move on to the next set of machines. There is a lot of distancing. For the cardio machines, only every other machine is available. There are sanitation tables everywhere so it is easy to clean the machines. Upon entering the gym (it's a multi-use center), everyone has to wear a mask until you get to the fitness center part. They take everyone's temperature and record it on a waiver that you answer questions about your covid symptoms.

After hearing how many people they would be allowing in the group exercise classes I froze my membership for 30 days. Will re-evaluate then.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

Gyms are a cesspool of germs without covid. I'm not going back until there's a vaccine.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

No way.

Too dangerous. Closed environment, no masking wearing (I'm guessing), heavy breathing, sweating, touching the same machines....no plans to go back.

I've been doing home gym. Makeshift. We have a stationary cycle for cardio. Some dumbbells. That's it.

This!

The gym I used to belong to had staff who regularly cleaned surfaces and bathrooms. They didn't clean the weight hooks, water fountains, yoga equipment, or most other things touched by sweaty hands.

@bgriffin wrote:

Gyms are a cesspool of germs without covid. I'm not going back until there's a vaccine.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

The gyms are cleaning more thoroughly and frequently in order to reassure people and get them to come back. The big danger though is other people breathing heavily. Masks are not compatible with heavy breathing, and virus droplets can be transmitted through heavy breathing and travel more than six feet.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/2020 09:20PM by MSF.

Hmm... "back"? ????

I resumed taking Pilates classes at my local Pilates studio. There are only 4 students allowed per class and the equipment is set up in a way that we are 35 feet apart from each other. The instructor wears a mask. All the equipment is deep cleaned after each class by the studio staff. Anyone taking a class is asked about recent travel and fever. Liability waivers are signed at the time of the check in. I feel very safe.

@MMMM wrote:

I resumed taking Pilates classes at my local Pilates studio. There are only 4 students allowed per class and the equipment is set up in a way that we are 35 feet apart from each other. The instructor wears a mask. All the equipment is deep cleaned after each class by the studio staff. Anyone taking a class is asked about recent travel and fever. Liability waivers are signed at the time of the check in. I feel very safe.

Are fees higher?

Wondering if this extra cleaning work and less poeople allowed leading to inflation?

No, so far..

I doubt gyms can increase fees to current members who are under contract.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

Gyms are closed again in most of CA as of last night.
I've only heard horror stories about the cleanliness and heavy breathing without masks.
I have a home gym.

A lot of people use those gym memberships for showers primarily. Must be tough during this time!

That is what I enjoy most--a long shower and steam/sauna after my workout. My last time at the gym was early March. A lot of members were appalled to find out that membership dues were not reduced despite the amenities not being available now.

@shoptastic wrote:

A lot of people use those gym memberships for showers primarily. Must be tough during this time!

MSF, while it is appalling, they still have to keep the mortgage paid and the equipment leased. They will probably add these unusable months to the end of your contract.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

MSF - Oh, so you can use the gym, but not the shower and sauna portions? Interesting, if so.

@HonnyBrown, true, but it is a pricey gym, with a lot of the value of the membership coming from the amenities, cleanliness, and capped membership to avoid overcrowding. Now, every gym has to be super clean, not overcrowded, and only offer use of equipment and maybe classes. The experience at the budget gym is not much different than that at the luxury gym. As far as unusable months, most gyms have allowed members to freeze their memberships during the pandemic.

@shoptastic, yes, I think the phase four requirements just about everywhere do not allow gyms to keep showers, steam rooms, and saunas open. I think most pools are closed too.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/2020 03:36AM by MSF.

I was fine with getting my exercise outside while the weather was nice, but now that it's 90+ degrees and humid walking isn't quite as appealing. I'm missing the group classes in the air conditioned gym...not enough to go back, though.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

@KathyG, not sure what your area is like, but early morning just after sunrise or early evening just before sunset might be ideal for outdoor exercise during the heatwave.

@MSF wrote:

@KathyG, not sure what your area is like, but early morning just after sunrise or early evening just before sunset might be ideal for outdoor exercise during the heatwave.

We go around 9:30 AM...it's better, but still hot! It's the combo of sun and humidity. You have to go very early to avoid the sun. We go relatively early to avoid the absolute worst heat, while getting some Vitamin D from the sunlight and also for safety and sleep reasons.

It's not bad. But you do suffer a tad around 10-10:30AM (when we leave).

My alarm goes off at 6:30. Most days Hubby is gone out on a walk (or has walked to church for Mass). I cannot move that quickly. It takes me a good 90 minutes to eat breakfast, read the newspaper, and completely wake up. I have taken a couple of walks or bike rides that start at 8, but it's definitely toasty by time I get done.

If Hubby and I walk together it will be after dinner. The days are so long I'm already comfy on the couch by the time the sun goes down.

@MSF wrote:

@KathyG, not sure what your area is like, but early morning just after sunrise or early evening just before sunset might be ideal for outdoor exercise during the heatwave.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

Yes, socially distanced and staggered reservations - for example, there are swim lane slots available for reservation via an app, people seem to wake up at 5 am to snap them all up

Not quite a swimming at the gym story, but...next week I am working near various hot springs. Some are public; others are at resorts. They are open with restrictions and reservations. Ew. I can wait. After work, I want to hike to waterfalls or explore other wild spaces. And this brings my to my latest wee wonderment... does DEET kill covid?

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu

I’m slowly putting together a wintertime gym in my garage with a heater, a treadmill, elliptical, weight bench. Maybe a flatscreen if I get motivated enough.

Gyms are full of people who are exhaling vigorously. Bad, bad place to visit when there’s an airborne virus in a pandemic.

I miss the gym, but probably won't return for about a year. Fortunately, my membership is grandfathered at only $80 annually. Meanwhile, I dusted off the stationary bike (haven't used it in 4 years), found the instructions to my Total Home Gym ( never used it), and purchased an awesome commercial (gym quality) Vertical Knee Raise/Dip Station. All that fits in my loft along with a sofa, chair and ottoman, and big screen TV. I'm good to go. Also, I walk in my beautiful, but kinda hilly neighbor hood. Additionally, I take a few spins around the block on my 10-speed bike. So, I miss the gym, but I have restyled.

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

Anyone gone back to the gym?

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine