How to Stay Healthy at the Gym
With Coronavirus cases still rising around the United States, it’s not a bad idea to take extra precautions at the gym to reduce transmission. While it may not be the first thing you think about as you grab dumbbells before crushing your bench press, it doesn’t hurt to ask the question: What exactly are the risks of the transmission of COVID-19 and other illnesses while exercising at the gym?
Be Mindful of the Most Used Equipment
Although the chance of picking up a virus at the gym is lower than it is at other locations where you are in close proximity to others, there should still be preventative measures taken to lower that risk even further. While sweat cannot transmit Coronavirus; high-contact surfaces, such as barbells, may present a problem. A recent study found they remained on metal, glass, and plastic for up to nine days.
How We Are Doing Our Part
To do our part in reducing the transmission rate of Covid at our clubs, Xperience Fitness is:
- Doubling the number of sanitation spray bottles at each cleaning station throughout every club. Be sure to wipe down the equipment before and after use, even the free weights.
- Our staff cleans highly touched surfaces and high traffic areas of the clubs at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
- New hand sanitizing stations are installed in each location.
- Xperience uses the Victory Innovations Handheld Electrostatic Sprayer, using P&G Proline Disinfectant #33 sanitation solution several times weekly throughout the gym on equipment, high traffic areas, and the Kid’s Club.
What You Can Do
We at Xperience Fitness know the importance of protecting our members’ health and are acting proactively to ensure this, but here is what you can do to help:
- Bring your own cleaning materials that have at least 70 percent alcohol (just to be safe!)
- Wipe down equipment, even free weights, before and after use. Don’t forget to wipe down the handle of the pin that holds your weights.
- Wash your hands often.
- Do not touch your face, especially after handling equipment.
- Wear shoes in the locker room.
- Clean your workout clothes after every sweat session.
- If you feel sick, stay at home.
With being in the middle of a pandemic, it is only natural to have reservations about getting back to the gym. But by taking the necessary precautions, going to the gym should not be a risk to your health.