The recent announcement that gyms and fitness studios may be able to open by the end of August (by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo) has made athletes and fitness buffs very excited. Other states, meanwhile, that aimed to open earlier in July were subsequently ordered to close by their respective governors, such as California. If you are in a state that is reopening its fitness centers, what steps can you take to keep it hygienic and safe while you are working out?
Ensuring Your Gym Meets Sanitary Requirements
It is, as yet, unclear what regulations will be put in place before gyms are allowed to open but, following examples from other industries, these will undoubtedly include a more limited capacity for gym goers, required distances between machines, and regular COVID-19 disinfection services by professionals. Cleaning during pandemic times requires strict measures to be followed — including a more frequent cleaning schedule, the use of antiviral products, and the use of PPEs by professionals during cleaning. To boost safety, bring antiviral wipes and carefully wipe down all surfaces and equipment before and after using them.
More Frequent Hand Washing
It is not enough to simply wash your hands when you get home from the gym. You will need to up the number of times you perform this task and make sure you take at least 20 seconds to thoroughly wash all areas of your hands, preferably up to your elbows. Once again, use antiviral wipes to clean the tap before you touch it and to close the tap. If you unwittingly touch anything on your way from the gym to the car, use hand sanitizer, ensuring it contains a high percentage of alcohol (between 60% and 95%).
Washing Your Hair
When you get home, immediately throw your gym clothes into the washing machine and keep your gym bag in a box so it does not touch the floor or other pieces of furniture. Wash your bag in the washing machine as often as you can. Shower, ensuring you give your hair a good wash as well. Viral droplets can settle on your hair as much as they can on your skin, so use a good cleansing shampoo as well as conditioner to keep hair well hydrated despite your more frequent shampooing schedule.
Getting Tested
If you develop a cold or flu, seek medical advice and get tested for COVID-19, even if you don’t feel too bad. This is because symptoms are sometimes mild or hardly existent. Receiving a positive diagnosis will enable you to isolate early so as to prevent co-workers, family members, and friends from getting infected.
If you are in a state that permits gyms to open and you are excited about using all your favorite equipment, make sure to practice strict personal hygiene measures. These include wiping equipment down, washing hands frequently, and maintaining distance from other gym goers. You should also be vigilant for symptoms and get a COVID-19 test if you feel like you have come down with a cold or flu.
