Nationwide, restrictions are lifting as states put coronavirus recovery plans into place, and many people are chomping at the bit to leave their quarantine life behind. People are scheduling long-overdue hair cuts, breaking bread at restaurants with outdoor seating, and swapping out pajamas for spandex as they head back to their regular routines—which may include trips to the gym. Your actions in public should differ based on where you are. That’s why the things you should and shouldn’t do at reopened restaurants are different from the things you should and shouldn’t do at the gym.
We’re not out of the woods yet. Because so many people come together in fitness classes and locker rooms, as well as handle common equipment like dumbbells and exercise mats, gyms are one of the riskier places when it comes to possible exposure to the virus that causes Covid-19.
Experts agree we need to exercise caution before we pack our gyms bags and head back. Here’s what to do to lower your risk.
At-home workouts can be just as effective as going to the gym, but motivation can dwindle after a while. You may miss the camaraderie of friends and a class instructor who pushes you to keep going. So how do we balance the risk and benefit of a gym workout?