Specialists advise us to gradually resume the routines we used to have before the confinement, such as sports, walks, shopping, or regular visits to the doctor. Although these activities will have the essence of our life before the coronavirus, after several weeks of confinement, they will seem to be part of a new reality characterized by more precautionary and hygienic measures and more expansive social space.
Those habits or routines that we considered essential before confinement will return to us little by little and with different aspects. This return should not generate fear or anxiety. If we take the appropriate measures, such as social distancing, gloves, gym cleaning wipes, and masks or respecting schedules, there will be nothing to prevent us from acquiring the old habits of new life.
Specialists never tire of saying that COVID-19 is not spread by sweat. However, it is spread by saliva or tears, so they insist on a safe interpersonal distance. In the case of gyms, because they are enclosed spaces, it is advisable to extend them for the athletes’ safety.
At the end of the phase for which the clients had to make an appointment, it is necessary to consider a series of measures to return safely to the gym. For example, make sure that the gym maintains a limited capacity; this is very important to ensure everyone’s safety and distance; spaces must be fixed. Other measures you should ask about when considering returning to the gym are:
- If customers, employees, and suppliers are required to present, compulsorily, a medical certificate for entry to the gym.
- Don’t forget to bring with you the following with your grooming kit: mask (keep in a closed bag during training), personal towels, thermos or personal water bottles, 70% alcohol with an atomizer, disposable paper.
- Make appointments for training in advance by telephone.
- Avoid wearing accessories (jewelry, watches, glasses, piercings, etc.).
- Avoid staying inside the gym facilities once the training schedule is over.
- Avoid bringing companions; their presence is restricted inside the gym.
- Ask if the gym policies require clients to sign a letter of commitment where they state that they will inform the establishment if any symptoms of COVID-19 appear within 14 days after using the facilities.
Ensure the service of common areas such as cafeterias, restaurants, bars, or shared rooms in gyms limit their capacity and, if possible, only buy products to take away.
- Do not go to group classes such as spinning, dance, or rhythms and contact sports such as martial arts and boxing.
- The gym should have a sink at the entrance of each gym, with the availability of water and liquid soap, alcohol gel, disposable paper towels, trash can (with pedal preferably), plus a mat for disinfecting shoes.
- Staff must control body temperature for the entrance of clients and users, trainers, administrative staff, and suppliers.
- Disinfect the materials to be used in your training session (mats, bicycles, ellipticals, dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, etc.) at the beginning and end of each class, using a disinfectant solution with at least 70% alcohol and disinfectant wipes for the gym.
- Do not share equipment (mats, suspension bands, dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, etc.) with other clients and users without first cleaning them with disinfectant wipes.
- Check that the rooms and halls are naturally ventilated (open windows, doors, air extractors). Do not use air conditioners or fans because they do not renew the air and displace the particles suspended in it.
If you follow these tips to the letter, you will not have to worry, be sure to be alert and not let your guard down. Now, have fun.
