Ok...I'm headed to my gym...

[Anonymous]

I think you took the right precations. At my gym, everyone must be masked at all times (it's an MD thing state-wide isn't it?). I wipe down machiens before and after, use my own towel, and wear gloves.

[Anonymous]

I started back to my gym about 4 weeks ago. I've been morbidly obese in the past. (185 pounds)--currently 140.

Attendance is really light.

I cut back to 2x per week to minimize risk.

I figure I'm at risk of gaining the weight back if I'm not lifting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You spend lots of money on gym membership. Why not invest that into home setup?

Excellent question! I would if I had the space. Unfortunately I don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Listen, if I didn't want to hear some folks tell me this was a terrible idea, I wouldn't have posted. I genuinely appreciate that. I also appreciate those of you telling me it's probably lowish risk.

I’m one of the ones who posted you shouldn’t go. I wouldn’t spend the next fourteen days obsessively worrying you caught covid this morning, but I also wouldn’t go back. There is a lot of stuff open because of political and economic pressure, not because it’s safe. Like eating indoors at a restaurant. That’s not because doctors and health officials think it’s safe. That’s because the economic and political pressure to open them is tremendous. Same for gyms.

OP here. I hear you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Listen, if I didn't want to hear some folks tell me this was a terrible idea, I wouldn't have posted. I genuinely appreciate that. I also appreciate those of you telling me it's probably lowish risk.

It’s probably low risk AND a terrible idea, to be honest. Because you just don’t know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm back.

I went in. I lifted. I left.

It was nearly empty. The staff answered my questions (and remembered my name and were glad to see me). The cleaning protocol was clear, and it seemed people were following it. I sure did. I cleaned everything I touched before and after. Everyone was masked, everyone was respecting space. It was definitely less iffy today than the grocery store has been.

I'm sure later I'll have a "what-have-I-done" moment.

OP, the surfaces part of this is the least risky, so although it's good that you wiped it all down, the risk of catching the virus from touching the equipment is low. The main risk is from the other people there at the same time as you, and the ventilation at the gym and how effectively that is transmitting the airborne particles. The fact that the gym was nearly empty is good to know, and that's what I think you need to be focused on if you decide to go back - finding out when it is less likely to be occupied and going at those times.

[Anonymous]

I am dying to go back to the gym working out at home with DBs sucks. I miss the squat rack and heavy deadlift. Lifting big weights, bench pressing PRs, the pump you get, the testorene rush...ahhh.

My wife would kill me if i went before Covid kills me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have anxiety about it, that’s your brain’s way of telling you it’s a bad idea. Because, you know, it is really a colossally bad idea.

I don't think you know what anxiety is or how it works. It has no connection to ration or reason, and is often the opposite of those things.

Oh Christ. What OP has is not a general anxiety disorder. OP has the kind of anxiety that keeps humans alive. The kind where you assess risk and know something is a bad idea and the voice in your head says “no” to keep you safe. I actually have anxiety and depression so don’t tell me anything, PP. You know going to the gym is about the worst thing anyone can do right now, don’t be obtuse.

+1 - this is more like "Gift of Fear" type thinking, not generalized anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Listen, if I didn't want to hear some folks tell me this was a terrible idea, I wouldn't have posted. I genuinely appreciate that. I also appreciate those of you telling me it's probably lowish risk.

I’m one of the ones who posted you shouldn’t go. I wouldn’t spend the next fourteen days obsessively worrying you caught covid this morning, but I also wouldn’t go back. There is a lot of stuff open because of political and economic pressure, not because it’s safe. Like eating indoors at a restaurant. That’s not because doctors and health officials think it’s safe. That’s because the economic and political pressure to open them is tremendous. Same for gyms.

OP here. I hear you.

NP - and I agree with the above poster. On my morning walk, I pass by a couple of gyms - and I see unmasked people in them. And I just think about how much longer we are going to be stuck with this awful virus circulating, because people are so anxious to get back to normal that they keep putting themselves and others at risk. It's legal to go, and you can do it if you want, but I think it's a bad idea - both for yourself, and for the community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Listen, if I didn't want to hear some folks tell me this was a terrible idea, I wouldn't have posted. I genuinely appreciate that. I also appreciate those of you telling me it's probably lowish risk.

I’m one of the ones who posted you shouldn’t go. I wouldn’t spend the next fourteen days obsessively worrying you caught covid this morning, but I also wouldn’t go back. There is a lot of stuff open because of political and economic pressure, not because it’s safe. Like eating indoors at a restaurant. That’s not because doctors and health officials think it’s safe. That’s because the economic and political pressure to open them is tremendous. Same for gyms.

+1

It's legal; that doesn't make it wise.

[Anonymous]

If the gyms are so unsafe why isn’t there a huge outbreak among members?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the gyms are so unsafe why isn’t there a huge outbreak among members?

I assume not many people are going, and also there is next to zero contact tracing happening. We don’t know there is no spread from gyms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the gyms are so unsafe why isn’t there a huge outbreak among members?

I assume not many people are going, and also there is next to zero contact tracing happening. We don’t know there is no spread from gyms.

+1

I know for a fact at least one of the employees (a trainer) at my gym had it. They didn't advertise it AT ALL. I only know b/c the infected trainer is close to my friend. Also, at least in NoVa, gyms can be at a much higher capacity in Phase 3. No masks required when exercising. It's riskier than eating indoors. No masks + heavier breathing + longer exposure time + increased opportunities for surface transmission (which is usually lower risk, since it's the droplets that get you). I wish VA would reduce gym capacity like in Phase 1.

The trainer had flu-like symptoms and was in bed a couple days. Don't know if he infected family members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the gyms are so unsafe why isn’t there a huge outbreak among members?

I assume not many people are going, and also there is next to zero contact tracing happening. We don’t know there is no spread from gyms.

+1

I know for a fact at least one of the employees (a trainer) at my gym had it. They didn't advertise it AT ALL. I only know b/c the infected trainer is close to my friend. Also, at least in NoVa, gyms can be at a much higher capacity in Phase 3. No masks required when exercising. It's riskier than eating indoors. No masks + heavier breathing + longer exposure time + increased opportunities for surface transmission (which is usually lower risk, since it's the droplets that get you). I wish VA would reduce gym capacity like in Phase 1.

The trainer had flu-like symptoms and was in bed a couple days. Don't know if he infected family members.

Is this the trainer at One Life in Burke? Word was going around about that ONE. But there are tons of gyms open in NOVA right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the gyms are so unsafe why isn’t there a huge outbreak among members?

I assume not many people are going, and also there is next to zero contact tracing happening. We don’t know there is no spread from gyms.

+1

I know for a fact at least one of the employees (a trainer) at my gym had it. They didn't advertise it AT ALL. I only know b/c the infected trainer is close to my friend. Also, at least in NoVa, gyms can be at a much higher capacity in Phase 3. No masks required when exercising. It's riskier than eating indoors. No masks + heavier breathing + longer exposure time + increased opportunities for surface transmission (which is usually lower risk, since it's the droplets that get you). I wish VA would reduce gym capacity like in Phase 1.

The trainer had flu-like symptoms and was in bed a couple days. Don't know if he infected family members.

Is this the trainer at One Life in Burke? Word was going around about that ONE. But there are tons of gyms open in NOVA right now.

His case was very mild. Quarantined from home, still working out days later, looks great. I have been to that gym before, and yesterday, and many times since. Still fine. Most people who get covid are not going to get seriously ill - particularly those who take care of their physical and mental health, like going to the gym.