Still concerned about going back to a commercial gym

[Anonymous]

I haven't been to a commercial gym since the beginning of the pandemic. I added some equipment to my home gym set up, and also use a small gym at my office. While both were fine during the pandemic, I really miss the ability to go heavier on certain exercises (e.g., bench press, squats, deadlifts), as well as the atmosphere of being surrounded by like-minded lifters. Covid isn't going away, and while I can take precautions (e.g., N95 + lifting gloves), I'm still concerned about prolonged exposure to infected individuals who are asymptomatic (or who have symptoms, but refuse to stay home for the recommended quarantine period). I was a very avid lifter before the pandemic, and have been throughout it - actually losing ~12 pounds and getting leaner using a treadmill at home for cardio (it's much easier and safer to do cardio at home - and without a mask!).

I can't live my life in fear of Covid, but I just don't know when to go back to a commercial gym.

[Anonymous]

I went back at the beginning of April. No outbreaks in my gym that I've been notified about. Some people wear masks, but many do not. Everyone wipes down equipment and the in house cleaners are always working.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't been to a commercial gym since the beginning of the pandemic. I added some equipment to my home gym set up, and also use a small gym at my office. While both were fine during the pandemic, I really miss the ability to go heavier on certain exercises (e.g., bench press, squats, deadlifts), as well as the atmosphere of being surrounded by like-minded lifters. Covid isn't going away, and while I can take precautions (e.g., N95 + lifting gloves), I'm still concerned about prolonged exposure to infected individuals who are asymptomatic (or who have symptoms, but refuse to stay home for the recommended quarantine period). I was a very avid lifter before the pandemic, and have been throughout it - actually losing ~12 pounds and getting leaner using a treadmill at home for cardio (it's much easier and safer to do cardio at home - and without a mask!).

I can't live my life in fear of Covid, but I just don't know when to go back to a commercial gym.

I live in VA. Gyms opened in June 2020. I went back three days a week then and have done it since then. Now my gym is not large -- upscale boutique type. But no issues as far as I know. Did get Covid but not at gym as I had been out for the holidays. I think you just have to decide to live. You can still wear mask in risky places. Some wear in the gym even now. It is not going to get better for a year and maybe two. Do you want to wait that long? Kind of have to move. Or not. But nothing will change anytime soon.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been back in the gym daily since May 2020 (I don’t live in DC). No Covid.

[Anonymous]

I went back last month. It’s been great. I wore a mask the first couple of days but I’m just over it now. Not sure why but it has been 2.5 years so maybe just feeling like this is the new normal and l can’t put regular life on hold forever. Also most people l know who’ve gotten it had a mild case.

Still haven’t had COVID knock on wood.

[Anonymous]

OP your fears are irrational. That said based on what you wrote nothing that any of us can say will change your mind. You either seek therapy, or stay home. That's it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP your fears are irrational. That said based on what you wrote nothing that any of us can say will change your mind. You either seek therapy, or stay home. That's it.

Shrug. You're entitled to your own opinion, but that wasn't my question. I thought it prudent to stay out of a commercial gym during the various waves of Covid during the past 2.5 years. I was curious who here had gone back to one and when. Seems like folks have gone back, with many not bothering with masks anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP your fears are irrational. That said based on what you wrote nothing that any of us can say will change your mind. You either seek therapy, or stay home. That's it.

+1. Sounds like you may need therapy for irrational anxiety more than a gym?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP your fears are irrational. That said based on what you wrote nothing that any of us can say will change your mind. You either seek therapy, or stay home. That's it.

Shrug. You're entitled to your own opinion, but that wasn't my question. I thought it prudent to stay out of a commercial gym during the various waves of Covid during the past 2.5 years. I was curious who here had gone back to one and when. Seems like folks have gone back, with many not bothering with masks anymore.

Only an idiot would wear a mask at the gym.

Go or stay home. Most of us have been back for more than a year at this point so the questions seems ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

I went back about a year ago. I figure the people at my gym are highly vaxxed because they care about health and we are in MoCo. A few still wear masks. Some fancy ventilation systems were also installed. I haven't come down with it so far.

[Anonymous]

I've been back at the gym since May 2020 in Dallas, where many aren't vaxxed, nor am I. No issues catching Covid at the gym.

[Anonymous]

I am immune compromised and have been back at the gym since August 2021. (I do not eat inside restaurants though). I wear a KF94 because it allows me to breathe better than KN95. I’m usually one of the only ones in a mask. I’m never really within 6 feet of anyone for more than a minute or two which makes me feel better as well. Viral load/exposure is part of my risk equation. All I can do is protect myself and I have to be comfortable with that because exercise is important to maintaining my health. No one can give you the right answer here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP your fears are irrational. That said based on what you wrote nothing that any of us can say will change your mind. You either seek therapy, or stay home. That's it.

Shrug. You're entitled to your own opinion, but that wasn't my question. I thought it prudent to stay out of a commercial gym during the various waves of Covid during the past 2.5 years. I was curious who here had gone back to one and when. Seems like folks have gone back, with many not bothering with masks anymore.

PP here - okay so to answer your question my gym reopened in May 2020. Limited capacity. I started going in June, after my J&J kicked in. I have never masked while working out, and never will. If I'm required to do so I'll just work out at home or outside. I have no fear of contracting C, because I know that if I do I'll be fine. I'm vaxed and boosted. I'm also out and about all the time, unmasked. This includes two huge sold out concerts, and a sold out stand up comedy show in the 56K person stadium. I stand by what I said that you're being irrational.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP your fears are irrational. That said based on what you wrote nothing that any of us can say will change your mind. You either seek therapy, or stay home. That's it.

Shrug. You're entitled to your own opinion, but that wasn't my question. I thought it prudent to stay out of a commercial gym during the various waves of Covid during the past 2.5 years. I was curious who here had gone back to one and when. Seems like folks have gone back, with many not bothering with masks anymore.

PP here - okay so to answer your question my gym reopened in May 2020. Limited capacity. I started going in June, after my J&J kicked in. I have never masked while working out, and never will. If I'm required to do so I'll just work out at home or outside. I have no fear of contracting C, because I know that if I do I'll be fine. I'm vaxed and boosted. I'm also out and about all the time, unmasked. This includes two huge sold out concerts, and a sold out stand up comedy show in the 56K person stadium. I stand by what I said that you're being irrational.

You do you. But again, I wasn't asking for your opinion on my mental health. Others might say your actions were irrational during the pandemic (and probably did).

I appreciate the constructive feedback from other posters about their commercial gym experiences. Back I go then....

[Anonymous]

Here's my anecdote.

I'm 43. I live in Northern VA, where gyms reopened in June 2020, after being closed for just 3 months. I returned, maskless (not required). It was weird and everyone was weird and cautious. Two years later, it's 1000% back to normal. Nearly a year of my gym return was pre-vaccination. And... I've never had covid.

For 2 years now, I've taken group exercises classes, often with as many as 50+ people. 48 of us maskless. I use equipment, both cardio and strength. I talk to lots of people, hug a bunch of people, shake hands, totally like normal. And to the best of my knowledge, I have not had covid - and again that's a year of gym use nearly a year before being vaccinated.

My experience from talking to others is that covid just isn't really spreading at gyms. Not now, not ever. I know lots of people that have gotten covid - but no one can trace it back to the gym. So... who knows.

That said, you have to weight the tradeoff for yourself. You know your own health predicament. You know what you need to feel safe and healthy. Cheers and good luck.