Safe to return to the gym?

I belong to a private gym and use it mainly for the pool. I went back for the first time a couple of weeks ago and it was bliss. I think most people have kept their memberships on hold. Numbers in the pool are limited to 30 but I haven’t seen more than a dozen at any one time. The changing rooms and showers are far cleaner than they are usually. That’s a different matter - in normal times my friends and I notice how people leave empty shampoo bottles in the showers and seem to clean hairbrushes in there too. Always someone else to clean up after you ?

Thanks so much all of you for your experiences and opinions. The general consensus seems to be that most of you that have returned feel safe and happy to be back. I have had a chat with one of the instructors that teaches ‘my’ classes and it does sound as if it is very well organised and safe, especially the classes. I had thought I might pop in before I finally decide, just to see the measures they are taking - I know all the classes have moved to larger studios (luckily it’s a big gym with lots of room) and the gym sessions now are booked, 50 minutes long, and everything cleaned between sessions so it sounds pretty good. Definitely feel more confident about going back though I’ll probably start with classes as I can still workout at home. Many thanks to you all!

Go back start living again life is never risk free you sound fit and healthy

As you say Reader56, the decision is finally your own but you asked for thoughts ...

I'm not a gym user but am a regular swimmer so decided to checkout our pool when it reopened several weeks ago. The Covid arrangements are brilliant. Not allowed to use the showers, but that's no big deal. In fact, because of the restrictions on numbers, it's better than ever as only a maximum of eight in a lane and no overtaking allowed. Sessions have to be prebooked. I notice that aqua aerobics has restarted.

I guess the question is what amount of risk are you willing to take? I feel my swimming risk is very low. I can't spend the rest of my life stuck in the house! Quality of life is as important as quantity me thinks.

Good luck with your decision making.

Absolutely, my third week back, feel totally safe. Smaller classes, out side area, shorter classes also for spinning. Plenty of hand sanitizer and temperature taken on arrival.

Quite true, it is absolutely about what degree of risk you feel is acceptable, after all there’s risk inherent in just living! That’s one of the things I’ve found most difficult about this whole event - how worried should I be? I’m naturally quite a low-stress, unworried rather gung-ho person and have had to rein in my usual relaxed attitude to things rather...

Yes I’ve decided, I’m definitely going to start classes again and see how I feel. Thank you ladies, you’ve helped a lot!!

I’ve deferred my membership and return until November. Can’t help thinking that it’s potentially safer now than it could be then but with an elderly Mum to support care-wise, thought it was for the best and most of my friends are doing likewise. In the meantime I continue with long walks and Pilates and HIIT classes on YouTube.

Not for me, thanks.

My gym is not opening until Oct. but not sure I will go then. It is small and in a hotel. Will wait and see.

Only if very strictly controlled numbers and over the top cleaning. What worries me is at the moment it is the 20s,30s,40s age brackets that seem to be contracting the virus and I am convinced they are the main age groups who use gyms. Will avoid just a bit longer.

My husband and I are back, smaller classes, and staff cleaning more often. They expect you to wipe down before and after using weights which I think is fair. You are then responsible for starting with clean equipment and leaving it for the next person. BUT some of the youngsters forget to clean - hence cleaning yourself. Its no different from the past there was always the odd person who never managed to put anything away. I'm ok with it.

Depends upon what measures are in place for your usual gym i suppose- my son went regularly to a small local one and now they've reopened and though they say they're cleaning things down he watched them first and saw they used same cloth to re- spray and move on to next piece of equipment, rather than get new 'paper' cloths (they use like the stuff the supermarkets do to wipe trolleys dry) so its not like they couldn't use fresh ones.So my son wipes them himself before/after he uses something.There's also no cafe open and just the disabled toilet in use.And its bookings only.so he's been a couple of times a week so far.So just to be safe, remember to spray/wipe them yourself before/after if youre not sure.

Its NOT just the 'youngsters' who dont clean things either.my sons 21, and he always used to wipe the stuff he'd used even before covid- as they were supposed to- often he'd see older folk or middle aged folk, just walk off when they were done.

Our David Lloyd Aquafit is back on but with reduced numbers. I can’t get onto it no matter how early I try to book. Will have to wait until they allow more people.

My DH and I used our gym 3 or 4 times a week and enjoyed the aqua fit classes especially. These classes provided good exercise and even more importantly a happy friendly social environment. We had just decided to risk going again for a leisurely swim for which a booking was required but we never got the chance DW decided to close our gym completely. Feeling quite bereft now and wondering how all the other ‘ class mates’ are ?
There are a couple of gyms in the area but not really convenient or in our price range sadly.
We are trying to keep fit by walking as much as possible but it’s just not the same as meeting at the gym .

I went back to the gym three weeks ago but only for one class a week because I really missed the spin classes. Feel it was a good decision - the gym has strict precautions and I am careful, follow all their guidelines and leave immediately after class. I feel that I kept my exercise regime more or less on course during the lockdown by taking Zoom yoga classes offered by my usual instructor three times a week and brisk walks or bike rides at least three times a week to keep my cardio vascular system in reasonable condition, but I must admit it felt great to get back on a bike and enjoy a class.

Can't wait for my classes to begin early september.

I returned to the gym the week before last and have been half a dozen times since. I was apprehensive the first time, but I have got my head around it now. The gym owners have all the doors and windows open but dont run the air con so you have to pick your days and times. I bought sweat bands for my wrists and wear a headband too. That way I am not tempted to keep touching my face, I cant bear the feel of drops of sweat running on my face. There are tons of sanitizers, we are all asked to wipe down before and after using each machine or piece of equipment and the staff are doing an additional disinfect once an hour. I head home for my shower. Its totally brilliant to be back and I hadnt realised how much I enjoyed those little conversations with other gym users. Its sounds like a small thing, but it brightens up the whole day.

I was very apprehensive about returning to the gym but have been twice now and found it very safe. Equipment spread across two sports halls, one way system and plenty of cleaning stations. Best to go now while it's still relatively quiet.

Started back with aquafit last week, lots of careful arrangements in place

Also 2 spin classes so far

I've given the required 3 months notice to my health club. Before the lock down I was going to the gym 3 times a week. I think the problem with my place, it's very large, as well as a gym there are studios for classes, indoor and outdoor pools, spa, children's soft play area, cafe with outdoor terrace, tennis courts and a 9 hole golf course. Being part of a nationwide organisation with many of their branches in the south east. I have always found them quite lackadaisical in enforcing codes of behaviour anyway. Always someone, if not a few shouting down their phone in the gym, imo mobiles shouldn't be allowed there far too intrusive. As well as that there would often be group grunting sessions of young men gathered around apparatus, spurring each other on I guess, that was a regular feature when I went. Recently my club emailed me with guest passes, which means they will have done the same to all members, which begs the question "why" in such a climate. Yes, I imagine they will have implemented a strict code of distancing and places will be limited so we don't need guests added into the mix right now. Before the lockdown, on really hot days there were too many people around the outside pool, many of those would have been guests. The trouble is with really big clubs, I don't feel they act in the members best interests in their quest to pull in as much money as they can. Although I appreciate right now, like every other business they are going through really hard times.

I think possibly it's different if gyms have a much smaller membership, but for the time being I won't be going and I gather that is a consensus of opinion among the older members. I would join a gym again, as and when this virus disappears.

Swimming twice a week, book in advance and only limited number in pool. Swimmers are the only ones allowed to shower and take in bags. No hairdryers or straightners so the only downside is I have to come out with wet hair and no use of the spa areas allowed.
Been back 3 weeks now and personally I prefer it as the pool isn't crowded.

Am desperate to get back to Aquafit. Our local Sports club not opening for another week. What sort of arrangements can I expect after the return? I see someone mentioned no showers. Do we go home wet straight from the pool?