The Coronavirus And The Gym: How To Stay Safe!

With the coronavirus (COVID-19) on everyone’s minds recently and with public events being cancelled left right and centre you may be wondering whether it is still ok to work out at the gym.

This is for good reason as in the gym you will be sharing equipment, and coming into contact with people who are sweating and panting.

So without further ado, should you be avoiding the gym entirely, or are there ways to ensure you can work out at your local gym without catching this virus?[toc]

Is It Safe To Go To The Gym During The Coronavirus Outbreak?

The gym, just like other public places, despite the mass panic brought on by the media is safe to visit as long as you take some precautions.

Unless you are in an area that is under a full quarantine, where you aren’t allowed to leave your own home then you can certainly carry on your daily life as normal.

The coronavirus is spread by direct contact with respiratory droplets, which in simple terms means you are unlikely to catch it by touching a contaminated surface. Especially if you follow our tips further on in this article.

If you are at the gym and you see someone coughing and sneezing, then I would certainly recommend giving them a wide berth. If they have the virus your risk of contracting it off them is more likely.

It is for this reason that if you suspect you have the virus and are experiencing any of the following symptoms, fever, tiredness and a dry cough, then you should self-isolate and avoid contact with people. If your symptoms get worse then seek medical advice.

Can The Coronavirus Be Transmitted Through Sweat?

Current research states that the coronavirus cannot be transmitted through sweat. So sweating at the gym will not put you at risk.

I would still recommend wiping down the equipment before and after you use it. Taking steps to ensure your own hygiene is up to scratch will go a long way to prevent contracting this virus.

Tips To Stay Safe At The Gym During The Coronavirus

While at the gym there are a few precautions that I would recommend to avoid contracting the coronavirus or any other illness:

• You should avoid anyone who looks ill and is coughing and sneezing
• Experts recommend keeping your distance from people
• Make sure to wash your hands regularly, or to use your own hand sanitisers
• If possible you should aim to avoid touching your face while working out. Most gyms will have disposable paper towels available so use one of those instead of your own towel
• Wipe down the equipment with a disinfectant both before and after use
• Have a shower once the workout has concluded

Should You Still Exercise During The Coronavirus Outbreak?

If you cannot get to the gym then you should still try to exercise as much as you can. Of course, if you are ill then you should always take your doctors advice and to get plenty of fluids and rest while you recover.

You do not need to go to the gym to get a good workout, there are plenty of exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home with minimal equipment, or even just using your own bodyweight.

Getting regular exercise is important for good health, and good health makes you better equipped to fight off this and the various other diseases and viruses around.

In Conclusion

While the media would have us believe that our only hope for survival is to stay indoors and avoid all human contact, this is not how the world works.

By following our tips to stay safe while visiting the gym during the coronavirus you can ensure you do not start to lose those hard-earned gains.

Just remember that if you are stopped from visiting the gym for whatever reason you can still workout from home. Also, if you suspect that you have contracted this virus, please don’t be selfish and stay home, and rest for a week or two, the gym will still be there when you are feeling better.