Five Steps You Should Take to Safely Return to the Gym!
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The world has slowly begun to open up as society has learned how to operate safely around CDC guidelines; this includes gyms! For all the “fitness gurus” of the world, gyms reopening is a blessing. The gym is a safe-space for many people to relieve stress and boost their endorphins. However, COVID-19 is still a threat and there are a few steps you should take before returning to the gym.
1) Masks!
By now, we have all gotten used to wearing masks in our daily lives. However, when returning to the gym, I had concerns about how I could effectively work out while staying safe. Working out involves changes in body temperature and breathing patterns and I was nervous about my mask heightening those changes. I knew it was more important to protect my health so I did my research. Many fitness companies created face masks that were effective and also were comfortable in the gym setting. A few notable companies that created masks for the gym are Under Armour, Fabletics, Beyond Yoga, and Reebok.
2) Wipe it down
If you use equipment or machines to assist you in your workout, wipe them down before and after use. Not only does this protect yourself, but it also protects others in stopping the spread of COVID-19. Many gyms have set up stations with wipes and disinfectant spray for members to have at their dispense. However, if your gym does not offer them, bring your own! Gym equipment can easily be contaminated through sweat, so it is vital to wipe down everything you touch.
3) Reduce your workout time
I know that the gym is a sanctuary for many people, however, the Coronavirus pandemic has forced us to change the way that our lives operate. If you reduce your time spent in the facility, there is less time for you to get contaminated. To add, many gyms have taken the initiative to restrict how much time one can spend there and have also changed their hours to add cleaning periods. If you are not satisfied with your workout, you can always work out after you leave the gym. Over quarantine, society adapted to working out from home and found that it is still effective!
4) Get some new workout clothes
You deserve to treat yourself! If we have learned anything from the pandemic, it is that life is too short. Go out and buy that new workout set you’ve been eyeing. Not to mention, shopping is cardio, duh! It is also important to support businesses that were heavily impacted by COVID-19. A few brands I suggest you check out are, Fabletics, Gym Shark, Set Active, Aerie, and Athleta. Happy shopping!
5) Listen to your body
If you are not feeling well or have anxiety about returning to the gym, stay home! Your health is so much more important than a workout. As a society, we must come together and recognize that skipping one workout will not affect you, but being exposed to Coronavirus will. Over quarantine, tons of fitness coaches posted YouTube videos that you can follow from home. If you aren’t feeling your best or are not comfortable going to a gym, I suggest you check out workouts by Chloe Ting, Alexis Ren, and Nil Sani.
Though the world is beginning to return to normalcy, it does not mean that COVID-19 is no longer a threat. We must still operate safely by listening to the CDC guidelines and what our bodies are telling us. If you are planning to return to the gym, I hope that you found these five steps helpful.