HomeHealth articleshand washing stepsWhat Are the Various COVID-19 Safety Plan for Gyms and Fitness Centers?

COVID-19 Safety Plan for Gyms and Fitness Centers

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COVID-19 Safety Plan for Gyms and Fitness Centers

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Is it safe to work out in gyms during this pandemic? Read the article to know about ways to prevent the possible transmission of COVID-19 in fitness studios.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. C. Elanchezhian

Published At September 24, 2020
Reviewed AtJuly 19, 2023

COVID-19, or the Coronavirus disease 2019, a respiratory illness, is caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2. This virus mainly spreads from one person to another through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, talks, or sneezes. You can also get infected by touching a surface or any object with the Coronavirus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. It is also possible to get infected from people who do not exhibit any symptoms.

How Can COVID-19 Spreads Easily in Fitness Centers?

COVID-19 can spread easily in close spaces and exercising can increase the rate and intensity of exhalation increasing the risk of viral transmission. Therefore, doctors still advise exercising outdoors in the open, avoiding closed and confined places, wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, and washing your hands whenever possible. With sweaty people working out so close to each other in a confined space and everybody touching different equipment, it does create a perfect environment for droplets to spread more rapidly.

The main concern about going to gyms is how readily SARS-CoV-2 can spread through respiratory droplets. The South Korean government warned people against doing strenuous exercises in fitness centers. This was because of a study that traced 112 COVID-19 patients to dance or workout classes. The study also claimed that warm and moist air and unstable airflow from exercising create an environment where droplets can spread readily.

A recent research stated that respiratory droplets remain airborne for almost three hours. This makes people working out in crowded or confined spaces such as fitness studios at risk of getting infected easily. But, the spread also depends on the size of the studio and the duration of the workout.

Research also suggests that people are infectious a couple of days before they develop symptoms. Such people doing vigorous exercises make them breathe harder and deeper, expelling more droplets and infecting others.

Key Risk Factors:

  1. Close physical proximity while exercising.

  2. Purposeful or accidental sustained physical contact.

  3. Increased production of respiratory droplets due to panting, shouting, sneezing, or coughing.

  4. Intense exercise can produce respiratory droplets that travel more than six feet, which is the recommended physical distancing.

  5. Wearing face coverings or masks is not advisable during many activities, as it may inhibit respiration. This increases the risk of transmission.

How to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Gyms and Fitness Centers?

General Preventive Measures:

The following measures need to be followed by members, visitors, and staff at all times -

  1. All the gym and fitness staff must be fully vaccinated with booster doses if eligible.

  2. Maintain a minimum distance of six feet.

  3. Use of masks within the gym, expect while exercising. While working out, you can use a face shield or a visor.

  4. Frequently wash your hands with soap for a minimum of 40 seconds to 60 seconds, even if they are not visibly soiled. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (containing 60 % alcohol) can also be used.

  5. Follow strict respiratory etiquettes. Use your flexed elbow or tissue to cover your mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing.

  6. Do not spit in public.

  7. Ask members to book slots and make sure you allow a minimum of 15 minutesto 30 minutes between each slot.

  8. Restrict the number of people allowed per group, depending on the studio's size and the nature of the exercise.

  9. Ask personal trainers to maintain six feet distance from clients.

  10. Check the temperature of everyone entering the gym and not let symptomatic or anyone with a fever enter.

  11. Only let asymptomatic people enter.

  12. Stick posters on preventive measures for COVID-19 in the reception and entrance. It will remind people to follow social distancing and wear a mask.

  13. Train your staff on proper handwashing techniques, social distancing, and the appropriate way to use masks. Educate them on how COVID-19 is spread and how they can prevent it.

Proper Placement of Equipment:

  1. Keep cardio and strength machines six feet apart.

  2. If possible, move the equipment outdoors.

  3. Mark the floor on the entrance and exit, maintaining at least six feet distance to manage the queue.

  4. Encourage contactless or cashless payment.

  5. Keep all windows and doors open for cross ventilation. If that is not possible, air conditioning should be kept between 24 ℃ to 30 ℃ and humidity between 40 % to 70 %.

  6. Remove chairs from seating areas.

  7. Do not let more than 5 to 10 people, including staff, in a specific workout area.

  8. Use dustbins with lids, and keep them covered at all times.

  9. Place alcohol-based hand sanitizers in multiple locations throughout the gym. Use them with a touch-free sanitizer dispenser.

  10. If possible, close water stations and water fountains. Use no-touch bottle refill stations, or ask your clients and staff to carry water bottles.

  11. Stock the restroom with soap and tissues.

  12. Remove difficult-to-clean items like rubber mats and foam rollers.

  13. Do not let people use the sauna, swimming pool, or steam room.

Disinfection:

  1. Clean frequently touched surfaces, like weights, cardio machines, exercise equipment, tables, chairs, door handles, doorknobs, toilets, sinks, etc., with detergent and water. Then disinfect them using diluted bleach solutions or 70 % alcohol solutions (preferably between each member).

  2. You can prepare a bleach solution for disinfection by mixing five tablespoons of 5.25 to 8.25 % bleach in 3.7 liters of water, or four teaspoons of bleach in 1 liter of water. Make sure you use this solution within 24 hours and always mix room temperature water.

  3. You can provide disposable disinfectant wipes to your customers to wipe all the equipment before and after they use them.

  4. Using a clinically approved disinfectant, clean the floor every 4 hours. This includes the gym entrance, all rooms, reception area, and washrooms.

  5. Wear a mask and PPE (personal protective equipment) while disinfecting the premises, and throw them after in a closed bin.

When an employee gets tested positive for COVID-19, then immediately inform the other employers. They should return to work when they become normal and test negative for COVID-19. Disinfect the areas according to the time since the person or the employee who was sick or diagnosed with COVID-19 was within the campus.

COVID-19 was within the campus.

Staff:

  1. Individuals who are older than 65 years or have some medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension, liver or kidney diseases, and HIV, should consider staying at home.

  2. Stay home if you are sick.

  3. Mandatory face coverings.

  4. Wash your hands after talking to visitors or touching surfaces.

  5. Use the phone or the internet to conduct business as much as possible.

  6. Do not use your colleagues' phones, workstations, or other office equipment.

  7. Maintain social distancing in break rooms and other common areas.

  8. If possible, eat lunch outside, where physical distancing can be maintained.

If a staff member tests COVID-19 positive, isolate the staff member, and follow proper quarantine and disinfection procedures.

How Can Gym Goers Protect Themselves?

  1. The person who intends to join gym must be fully vaccinated and get the booster dose if eligible.

  2. Cooperate with COVID-19 screening at the entrance.

  3. If you are coughing, and have a fever, do not go to the gym or anywhere else. Stay home and monitor symptoms.

  4. Face coverings and masks are mandatory while inside the gym, which can be replaced with a face shield when working out. Change your mask or face covering if it gets wet.

  5. Use an alcohol-based sanitizer to disinfect your hands before and after touching any equipment.

  6. Make sure you stick to your pre-fixed timing. Please do not enter the facility before it is time for your slot.

  7. If you have any underlying illness, consult your primary care provider to determine if it is safe for you to go to the gym.

  8. COVID-19 transmission risk is high during cardio exercise due to increased respiration, so keep more than six feet distance while performing or if anyone else is performing such activities.

  9. Avoid exercises that need close contact with your trainer or other people.

  10. Do not linger in common areas.

  11. Do not touch other members' items, apart from recreational equipment. Remember to wipe the equipment before and after you use it.

  12. If possible, carry your yoga mats, water, and towels.

  13. Carry separate workout shoes.

  14. Avoid indoor group classes, especially those that involve vigorous exercises, like cycling, Zumba, etc. Instead, opt for yoga or pilates.

  15. Follow strict social distancing rules while entering or exiting the gym, exercising, or using the locker room.

  16. Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth without washing your hands thoroughly first.

  17. Get the COVID-19 test done if you are coming from an infected area before joining the gym.

Once you reach home, do not forget to wash your hands and wash and disinfect all the items you took to the gym, including your shoes and yoga mats.

Conclusion:

Now that all the gyms and fitness centers have opened and are functioning at full capacity, it is vital for us to be cautious, maintain social distancing, wear face masks, use sanitizers, and get fully vaccinated (along with booster doses when eligible). This way, we can achieve our fitness goals while breaking the chain of virus propagation. Finally, it is important to ensure that your gym follows correct disinfection practices, conducts temperature checks, and manages social distance in the gym.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

Can I Visit the Gym During COVID-19?

 
Visiting the gym is safe for fully vaccinated people. However, if you are not vaccinated, it is better to do home or outdoor workouts rather than go to the gym.

2.

Does Physical Activity Improve COVID Recovery?

Regular physical activity benefits the body and mind. It helps to reduce high blood pressure, controls weight, and reduces the risk of cardiac diseases, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. All these conditions can increase susceptibility to COVID-19.

3.

How Can I Protect Myself in the Gym From Acquiring COVID Infection?

Practice deep breathing exercises during cardio activity. One should step outside to get some fresh air periodically. Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer after using the equipment. The equipment should be disinfected with sprays or wipes before and after use to protect yourself and others from COVID infection.

4.

How to Enhance Fitness During the Pandemic?

Moderate-to-vigorous physical exercises (such as speed walking or jogging) can help to improve mental as well as physical health. Also, participation in regular physical activity can help boost the immune system.

5.

What Are the Trends in the Fitness Industry After COVID?

The fitness industry is experiencing a mini-boom because of the COVID-fatigued consumers who missed social motivation from in-person classes. Mental wellness is also becoming a big priority, and athleisure wear has enjoyed a pandemic-fueled boost.

6.

Does Physical Activity Boost Immunity to COVID?

Physical exercise improves the host's immunity and imparts protection against viral infections. It also reduces the negative effects of isolation, including stress and anxiety, which further mitigates immunity and increases the disease risk.

7.

How Many Hours Should a Person Go to the Gym Every Day?

As a general rule, 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily is safe and sufficient. However, if you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you should exercise more.

8.

What Are Some Problems in the Gym?

Some problems in the gym include the following:
- Misinformation.
- One-way approach.
- Information overload.
- Elitist attitude.
- Lack of member support.

9.

Can Walking Increase the WBC Count?

Exercise causes changes in white blood cells (WBC). WBCs are the immune system cells that fight disease in the body.  Exercise helps the WBCs circulate more rapidly, so they can detect the infection earlier.

10.

How Are Recreational Activities Affected by COVID?

COVID-19 was related to a significant decrease in walking and physical activity and an increase in a sedentary lifestyle. However, an increase in indoor recreational activities like cooking, baking, watching movies, board games, and yoga was reported.
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Dr. C. Elanchezhian
Dr. C. Elanchezhian

General Medicine

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