What to Expect From Reopened Gyms
Jose Mier here. If you’re like me you’ve been itching to get back to some sort of workout given that we’ve been prevented from working out for three months. I don’t know about you but I saw all my pre-COVID gains go up in smoke as my body deteriorated over those three months. I probably could have configured some sort of alternative workout at home, but there’s nothing to compare with a full rack of dumbbells, weight plates, barbells and machines to entice you to workout.
My gym, Burbank Fitness Club reopened last week and I decided to go to get my first workout in quite some time. Yes, I understand the risks but I feel that working out also contributes to a healthy immune system and that being shuttered inside was probably having a deleterious effect on my immunity. Whit that said, I jumped in the car and headed to my gym last Wednesday.
Other gyms in the Sun Valley area are also reopening. I’m sure each one has suffered economically and that all of them were chomping at the bit to get back to a normal routine. Gyms like 24 Hour Fitness and Planet Fitness as well as Crunch Fitness have all posted similar reopening news on their websites.
I can only speak to my own experience so this is what Jose Mier can tell you about his workout:
The gym interior has been altered. Machines and weights have been moved to allow more space and social distancing. There are also warnings as you enter to remind you to keep your distance from others while working out. In my gym they’ve installed an air purification system. It uses UV light to disinfect the air that’s recirculating in the gym.
I did have to sign a waiver when I went for my first workout which I was willing to do. Life is a risk and I weighed the pros and cons and decided I really did want to go to the gym.
Inside I noticed 90% of the members were not wearing masks. I took my mask off for the first couple of days, but I have since resorted to wearing one again, just to be a little safer. My workout is pretty strenuous and I am aware of my increased inhaling and exhaling when I’m lifting. That’s what prompted me to don a mask again. I will say that I did find it very restricting this time. We need more air and more oxygen when lifting and I felt that I wasn’t getting the amount of air I needed. Still, for the time being I’ll continue with the mask. I noticed most of the employees were not wearing masks, either, but today I did see one who had a mask. I had felt self conscious at first, but what the heck, I’m just going to work out and I shouldn’t care what others think if my health is a concern.
Jose Mier on Social Distancing
For the most part we all engaged in social distancing and at the time I was there (about 7:45 in the morning, the gym was relatively empty. I did notice a few more people in the locker room this morning so perhaps others are slowly deciding they need to work out too.
I’ve cut my workouts a bit shorter as well. Part of that is that my strength has decreased over the last few months and I need to work up to my previous levels gradually. I spend about 30-40 minutes in the gym whereas before it was longer.
We’ll see what the future holds but I feel a renewed vigor after I work out. It’s lightening my mood and I feel good that I’m exercising once again. Reports say that California’s death rates and hospitalizations are flattening out which is good news. I hope it stays so. I will continue to go to the gym until further notice or if I feel there’s something amiss. So far so good. It really is important that we maintain our health and going to the gym is (finally) one way we can do that.