Covid Concerns Regarding Gym Use

Tim76

Hi all,

I went back to my gym this week for the first time since December and was surprised to see the lack of Covid procedures in place. There was no mask wearing, no social distancing requirements that I could make out, only a handful of people were cleaning the machines before or after use and the gym was packed. In addition to this probably about half the people in there were in their 20s so they are unlikely to be fully vaccinated yet.

Is this standard practice for all gyms or is my gym just taking the p*ss?

And if it is indeed standard practice, then why is the advice for indoor areas like gyms completely at odds with all other indoor areas? Surely if the threat of spreading Delta is so great indoors, then there should be evidence of massive transmission of the variant within gyms if they are all operating like this?

is_that_so

We've never had mandated mask wearing but there is a booking app to control numbers, the windows are open and people clean down equipment after use with sanitiser. I believe there is a thread on this in the fitness section BTW

cjyid

Depends on the gym really.

My gym is pretty good for people wiping down bars & benches after they use them. Masks are optional on the actual gym floor but all machines/racks are distanced out.

Trainers walk around the gym floor reminding people to wipe down as well, saw one on Monday sprint after someone who didn't do it lol

So yeah, pretty much depends on the gym and how seriously the management take it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058203424/covid-concerns-regarding-gym-use

We have been back to the gym in Switzerland for 4 months and it is like this. Most people cleaning after themselves (not me, I used towel and it is enough) but apart from this no social distance, no mask, showers, saunas, collective classes too, everyone breathing heavily etc.

If you read too much boards or other media it doesn’t make sense. If you don’t and you think Covid is small or imaginary disease then it is fine... You have to choose (I think).

Diabhalta

I'm waiting for them to open the saunas, then I'll be back. So hopefully next year, or 2023. Who knows.

Mrs OBumble

Your gym is taking the p*ss.

Mine is like the other above: masks in common areas, controlled numbers, people are wiping stuff (though we know that touch is a very low transmission risk anyways), windows and doors open.

Re

Surely if the threat of spreading Delta is so great indoors, then there should be evidence of massive transmission of the variant within gyms if they are all operating like this?

You do have to wonder about this super-infections Delta variant, given the lack of massive transmission evidence. But shhh, that's an off-narrative comment. You'll be called a conspiracy theorist if you say things like that.

Atlantic Dawn

If you and those you care about have been vaccinated I wouldn't care at all about the rest, let them make their own decisions.

Tim76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117740931#Comment_117740931

That's the problem. I have a young baby at home who won't be vaccinated anytime soon. So if the gyms are operating on a fast & loose basis I can't really take any risks.

Ah well, looks like I will stick with the home "gym" for the time being.

feckwunker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117741192#Comment_117741192

Your baby stands a very, very negligible risk of catching COIVD from your returning from the gym, let alone falling sick with it. If your vaccinated, you should be grand.

ginoginelli

The cleaning down is pure theatre. It does next to nothing in preventing covid transmission. It is a solid all round hygienic measure though.

I regrettably had to leave the gym. No masks, overcrowding, no enforcement. It's not worth the risk.

If they follow other countries and introduce vaccine passes I will go back.

ShadowTech

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117741521#Comment_117741521

Given our extraordinarily high vaccine uptake and working under the assumption that you yourself are fully vaccinated it’s likely that 80-90% of everyone there is fully or partially vaccinated. What value do you see masks, distancing, and vaccine passports providing at this stage?

bucketybuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117741192#Comment_117741192

People really have lost all sense of perspective haven't they.

rob316

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117741192#Comment_117741192

There really is nothing to worry about with your baby when it comes to covid.

normanoffside

There’s in in 100,000 change of a 0-19 year old being hospitalised from covid. I assume lees the younger you are https://twitter.com/fergalbowers/status/1425519466645966850?s=21

Tim76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117743788#Comment_117743788

I think the key point to take away from that HSE statement is that it is referring to children without underlying conditions. Who knows what underlying conditions the baby might have, he's barely here a wet week and I certainly don't want to find out the hard way.

Each to their own and I don't begrudge anybody going back gyming but given my current situ I'm going to sit it out for a while longer.

JTMan

Many other countries are using digital covid certs or equivalence for entry into gyms.

I am surprised that there has been little push for this to occur here.

Floppybits

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117746534#Comment_117746534

ssssshhhhh. The covid certs were introduced for restaurants and pubs to make people think about going to them. There is no health or safety aspect to them at all. What is the difference with dining as a resident in a hotel where you don't need a covid cert to a non resident dining in the hotel? If you are vaccinated what do you have to worry about?

bucketybuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117746534#Comment_117746534

Since vaccinated people can still spread covid there is actually very little health and safety benefit to covid certs, the risk to the OP's baby would remain even if everybody in that gym had one.

Digital certs are a boondoggle used to manipulate people into getting vaccinated, and it is bars and restaurants getting targeted first. The gyms turn will come, just not yet.

Floppybits

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117747328#Comment_117747328

If they do introduce covid certs for gyms it would need to be part of an overall introduction of covid certs for everything. Personally I think the covid certs should be done away with, they provide no benefit to anyone and only cause hardship on businesses and anxiety in people.

Marilynr2

Most gyms are reminding everyone regularly to keep cleaning equipment after use etc. It's unfortunate that some people don't stick to that but unfortunately some people are lazy. They're also restricting numbers.

I don't agree with mask wearing at the gym but I think people are generally socially distanced due to the space in between machines etc. anyway... Some people are on top of each other alright but they're probably training with their friends who they are already in close contact with anyway!