🍎 Today’s Health Tip ~ Thinking of Going to the Gym?

Gym Safety in a COVID-19 Era

I’m a gym rat. I’ve always been one. I felt like a kid waiting for Christmas as I counted down the days until my gym reopened in Texas. My excitement was tempered by a single thought, ‘Is it safe to return?’

I took the chance and returned to the gym. I go six days a week (I take Sundays off). I work out for an hour and love the feeling of sweat soaking my shirt.  Here are my observations of what makes be feel safer and what makes me exercise more caution when I go the gym.

1. I take a Lysol wipe with me from the car and use it to open the door to the gym (wish my gym had an electronic eye). I use gym wipes to open the door on the way out. I observe 99% of those working out open and close the entrance or exit door with their hand (yuck!).
2. I make an assumption that whoever used my machine before did not take the time to disinfect it. I take full responsibility for wiping my machine (preferably the elliptical) before I begin exercising and when I finish exercising. I observe some people do not wipe down machines before or after (that’s not a good thing).
3. My gym (and I’m sure most others) post signs on the aerobic machines (e.g., treadmills, elliptical machines, etc.) allowing use on every other machine so that a safe social distance is maintained (this is a good thing).
4. I won’t go into the weight section at this time (I do my strength exercises at home). Here’s why: I observe some gym users who are lifting weights or using the weight machines  who do not wipe down their weights or weight machines before or after using them. And, there is no formally practiced social distancing among those using this area.
5. I wear breathable workout gloves covering my full fingers. I disinfect them each day at home. The gloves serve more to remind me not to touch my face. So far so good.

I hope these tips help. Exercise  has always been an important part of my life. I want to continue making it a part of my life. If you have a tip to add, please email me to at ray.brese@gmail.com or post as a comment. We can live a normal life, we only have to be a bit more cautious. We’ll get through it. Yes, we will!