- Experts agree that fitness centers are great places to exercise, but also where viruses like the coronavirus can be spread.
- Some gyms have established practices to clean their equipment more frequently.
- Experts in fitness say there are many ways to get a full-body workout at home.
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Exercise is a great way of de-stressing at the end the day, and it’s a great way for your immune system to stay in top shape.
Many people are on edge because they fear that they might contract the new coronavirus virus disease (COVID-19). They avoid places where they may contract the virus or spread it to others.
This is why the gym is an ideal place to pick up germs from others.
This is especially concerning because the coronavirus can cause respiratory illness. It can be spread through touching surfaces that a person with it has touched, or via airborne droplets from a person who sneezes.
Dr. Nancy MessonnierTrustedSource, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, advised peopleTrusted Source Mar. 10 to take precautions to limit their exposure to the virus.
Messonnier stated that you should take every precaution, including avoiding contact with sick people, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding high-touch surfaces in public places. Avoid crowds, especially those in poorly ventilated areas.
According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO)Trusted Source, some coronaviruses can remain on surfaces for “a few hours or even several days.” This is why they recommend hand washing with soap or using hand sanitizer.
What are the activities of fitness centers?
Gyms can be crowded and many surfaces, from free weights to controls on a treadmill, are touched frequently.
It is not enough to wipe off sweat with a towel.
Although a few Twitter users reported that the novel coronavirus had not changed their exercise habits, many gyms reached out to their members to inform them of the additional preventative steps they are taking.
This includes closing down.
The San Mateo Athletic Club, College of San Mateo in California is a good example.
The fitness center informed its members earlier this week that it is following the guidelines of the San Mateo County health department.
The email stated that staff had been continuing to teach them good hygiene habits, including proper disposal, cleaning, hand washing, and the use of Clorox wipes at every workstation. These are the habits that we have been practicing for 10 years.
The San Mateo gym declared its temporary closure on Thursday.
Chains have been used to reassure its members across the country that their spaces are safe and clean.
Planet Fitness claims it has “extensive cleanliness procedures and policies in place.
“Team members clean all equipment, surfaces and areas of the gym and floor with disinfectant cleaning products,” McCall Gosselin, a Planet Fitness spokeswoman, said to Healthline. They also clean the facility every night.
Two other national gym chains, Anytime Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness didn’t post any coronavirus warnings or respond to comments.
Simon Hansen is an experienced athlete, coach and sports blogger at Best Sports Lounge. He said that he hasn’t been to the gym as often since the COVID-19 epidemic, but that people with stronger immune systems are more likely to be affected.
Hansen stated that he believes it is a prudent precaution, especially considering the possibility of unknowingly harming the immunocompromised. “But, this does not mean that I have stopped exercising as part of my daily life.”
Instead, he does his work at home.
Exercise at home
You may still want to keep up your exercise routine even if you are at home.
It’s important to keep active for health and to prevent getting stir crazy from being cooped up for long periods of time.
Dr. David Nazarian is a board-certified internist and practices in Beverly Hills. He said that the new coronavirus was rapidly spreading and it is important to take precautions to ensure your safety.
Healthline He said that exercise is essential for good health and well-being. However, it is crucial to protect yourself against airborne diseases, particularly new ones like the coronavirus, which is still being researched.
He said, “If you cannot avoid places where there is a high risk of transmission of airborne disease, it’s possible to work out at home.”
Alexandra Ellis is the creator of AE Wellness, and host of The Body Nerd Show and said that if you avoid going to the gym because you fear getting sick, you can do a lot at home with no equipment.
For a quick workout that builds strength and increases heart rate, focus on the basics like planks and pushups. Ellis shared that his favorite way to work out is to do four rounds of five exercises, each with 45 seconds of work and then 15 seconds of rest.
She said, “Choose exercises to target different areas of the body and you’ll get a full-body workout in under 20 minutes.”
There are many tutorials online that can help you with your home exercise.
Some people even respond to COVID-19, the subsequent distancing or quarantine measures.
The online yoga platform EkhartYoga is one example. It offers free meditation and gentle yoga classes online during the outbreak in an effort to counter the anxiety and stress that it causes.
Esther Ekhart, a platform owner and yoga teacher, stated in a statement to Healthline that “we can only imagine the stress of living in isolation.” While the majority of us don’t face any danger, it’s not impossible to avoid the news, which can lead to worry and anxiety.
