Stopped in at my local gym

[Ronstar]

Used to frequent the "gym" - the HOA mini gym at our snowbird condo. Maybe 3 treadmills, a bike, an elliptical and a few weight stations in a 24' x 24' room by the pool. Crowded if there were more than 3 people there at the same time.

Music was a wall mounted radio with about 4 choices. I usually was alone in there, so I chose an oldies station. Not well liked by other patrons though. One day listening to some Rod Stewart, a lady (my age) walked in and asked if she could the channel. "i've lived through this era once already - I don't want to do it again."

 

[atmsmshr]

In March I suspended our memberships at Vero Fitness (aka Jungle Club) before the governor shut them down. Been a member for around 25 years. Enjoyed strength training, but the risk of covid spread caused me to buy some free weights and a bench for home. Also got a floor ducted AC unit for the garage. Not able to get as good a workout, but it will have to do until a vaccine is developed.

 

[Amethyst]

How does that a/c work/how configured? Not a mini-split?

was a hole in the floor slab necessary?

I Also got a floor ducted AC unit for the garage. .

 

[socca]

I dropped by my gym to cancel my membership. Not a mask in sight among staff or members. This is the first time I've been without a gym membership in at least 20 years. My gym has made zero effort to retain members - I hope this strategy works for them. In six months or so I can reconsider my decision.

 

[Speculator]

I've been a gym member for decades, most recently at PF. Mine opened about 5 weeks ago (without the locker room/shower area) and the locker room/showers finally opened 2 weeks ago. It feels so good exercising with the weights after such a long time and I am happy to see the muscle mass coming back, though still a ways to go to get to pre-COVID-19 levels. The staff wear masks but most patrons do not, though everyone seems to follow social distancing guidelines. Even though some folks do only a "cursory" wipe-down of the equipment, I don't care because I have always wiped down the equipment thoroughly before use for many years to prevent colds. What concerns me is that the place is always empty compared to the way it was before the virus hit. I've been at this PF for about 3 years and I don't know how they will survive with such limited attendance. Hopefully, things will change as my state continues to open up.

 

[ugeauxgirl]

I went to the gym for the first time Wednesday and again on Thursday. It felt wonderful to be back. This morning I kayaked 4 miles despite sore muscles from Wednesday and Thursday's workouts. Begone coronavirus pounds!

 

[athena53]

Even though some folks do only a "cursory" wipe-down of the equipment, I don't care because I have always wiped down the equipment thoroughly before use for many years to prevent colds.

I agree with this- I really don't care who wiped down the equipment last or how thorough they were. When I go back, I WILL wipe down equipment myself first. As with many COVID-19- related decisions, I'm the one who has to live with the consequences and this is something I can control.

 

[atmsmshr]

How does that a/c work/how configured? Not a mini-split?

was a hole in the floor slab necessary?

Amethyst - No hole in the slab necessary. I got a $450 dollar roll around floor model from Lowes. One exhaust duct through the garage window to the outside carries moisture so no condensation line needed. This type is not the most efficient AC, but it is very practical knocking down humidity and keeping a good temperature. My garage door is insulated and the walls are finished. I keep it on all of the time now. A strong free standing fan on the floor moves the air around during my workout.

 

[frayne]

Cancelled my PF membership this past week, no sense paying when you're not going. I told them I'll be back when the pandemic concludes.

 

[jollystomper]

Really I would prefer Silence, but that's never been a choice in any gym I've used.

Our gym is very good about that. The TV sets are all muted. To listen, you have to use headphones on the workout machines (primarily elliptical, treadmills, and bikes) to plug into the ports on the machine, or connect via bluetooth, and select which TV channel you want to listen to.

They have background music but it is so light the noise from people working out drowns it out. I believe you can also use your headphones to tune to it but since I bring my own music I have never tried it.

Their group classes are done either outside or in rooms with closed doors, so unless you are in the class the music is not noticeable.

 

[Amethyst]

I actually don't even care about wiping down. I mean, I'll do it because it's polite, but I wear gloves and always sit or lie on a towel as it is. I'm concerned about droplets, and the only remedy for those - poor as it is - is everyone masking up. That, I can't control.

I agree with this- I really don't care who wiped down the equipment last or how thorough they were. When I go back, I WILL wipe down equipment myself first. As with many COVID-19- related decisions, I'm the one who has to live with the consequences and this is something I can control.

 

[jollystomper]

The gym we are members of (it is not part of any national chain) has been holding select outdoor SD classes for several weeks. They will fully open next week. They kept us updated with email newsletters during their closing. They are having an "Open House walk-thru" this weekend to show members the safety precautions they have put in place...

We attended our gym's pre-opening walk through. The highlights:

• Separate entrance and exit doors.
• They have installed several airPHX units that (in their words) will continuously clean the air and surfaces of the club. It is supposed to be effective against viruses, bacteria, and mold, and provide disinfection and sanitation.
• Where possible,free weights and gym equipment have been spaced out to social distancing specifications (or greater). a few rooms/areas that were formerly used for group exercise or basketball/pickleball now have equipment in them. Where machines could not be spread out, some have been blocked for usage to implement the distancing.
• Additional wipes stations have been placed all around. Machines must be wiped down after use. Anyone observed not doing so will be [-]publicly humiliated[/-] asked to do so (actually just before they were shut down most people were wiping them down before and after usage).
• Locker rooms are closed except for the restrooms. No changing or showering. If you must change, several private rooms are set aside for that (staff will be cleaning the rooms but no mention of frequency). Smaller lockers are available in the open gym area for storage/valuables.
• No free pool swim times, all pool usage must be reserved. 1 (or 2 if related) people allowed in a pool lane. 1 (or 2 if related) people allowed in the sauna at at time, and that also must be reserved.
• Group exercise classes limited to 8 people plus instructor. Markings on the floor as to where you need to be. Reservations required, if your name is no the list you will [-]be taken outside and flogged[/-] not be permitted to attend the class. Bring your own mats. For any items provided for the class (e.g. weights), there will be a "clean" section to take them from, and before class; after class, they will be put in a [-]danger! possible coivid-19 contamination![/-] "used" section for cleaning.
• Masks are not required to be worn at all times, but you are encouraged to do so except when actually exercising or taking a class.
• Temperatures of the staff will be taken and monitored, but not of the gym attendees

DW still feels uncomfortable and may wait for them to be opened for 2 weeks before she tries it. I may go sooner, but either just as they open, before a lot of people show up, or midday, when they tend to have few people working out (maybe a dozen) and the staff is likely to be doing cleaning at that time. I will wear my mask and gloves when I am in there. We will see...

 

[jollystomper]

I decided to go to the gym today. Early in the morning, just before their official opening time (they tend to open about 5 minutes early), on the assumption that most objects will have been cleaned, sanitized, and not used.

I wore my "workout hazmat" outfit - long sleeve compression shirt, knee length athletic shorts over compression pants, nitrile gloves. None of my flesh was going to directly touch a machine or weights .

I was there for an hour. it never got crowded. Most people were social distancing, and wiping off machines and weights before and after use. I did notice a group of 3 younger folks were not. They were also using many different sets of weights and not wiping them down after using them.

I chose to keep my mask (N95) on most of the time. The only time it came off was when on the elliptical and doing situps - those are difficult for me to do when masked due to my level of exertion. All other exercises I could manage with the mask. I am used to doing heavy yard work wearing a mask due to allergies, so it was not too different for me.

When I left the parking lot, which in pre-COVID-19 times was usually very crowded by 9AM, was only about a quarter full. So most people are not rushing back to this gym.

 

[caninelover]

Seeing I haven't been to the gym since November before I had my hip replacement, and now we have the virus stuff, I am thinking of buying a rowing machine to use at home

I still walk about 10,000 steps every day, but that is doing very little for everything except my legs and cardio system.

Anybody have one at home? If so, recommendations?

A second vote for the Concept 2. They also make a model that is slightly raised if squatting to get on/off is an issue, and they are smooth and durable with very little maintenance required. Easy to disassemble with one strong person or two weenies if moving it is required.

I also joined the ranks of home exercisers once my commute changed from 20 minutes to 45 minutes each way a couple of years ago. I knew I wasn't going to have the energy to go a gym with that commute so I invested in a couple of pieces of key aerobic equipment (Concept 2 rower and a Peloton spin bike) and some free weights. Both have been invaluable to us as we are both now working from home and fitting in exercise time is a breeze.

With all of the new connected fitness options on the market, I don't expect to ever belong to a gym again.

 

[braumeister]

A second vote for the Concept 2.

I've had one for over eight years. A great way to get a workout when the weather is either too hot or too snowy.

 

[Aerides]

so I invested in a couple of pieces of key aerobic equipment (Concept 2 rower and a Peloton spin bike) and some free weights. Both have been invaluable to us as we are both now working from home and fitting in exercise time is a breeze.

I'm considering a peloton. I like to bike ride, but I never liked spin classes - I don't like the competition and clique-ish atmosphere that seemed to be a big part of my gym. Nor the hours - those classes were either crackofdawn, or 6pm, totally made for the office crowd. So it seems like a big investment for something I'm not really experienced at.

 

[caninelover]

If you know you don't like spin classes then you probably won't like Peloton either. When I did belong to a gym I loved the spin classes so it made sense for me. We use it regularly and love it. They do make a treadmill but it is ridiculously expensive.

In normal times, they have storefronts in malls where you can stop in and try before you buy, but no idea if they are still open now.

I'm considering a peloton. I like to bike ride, but I never liked spin classes - I don't like the competition and clique-ish atmosphere that seemed to be a big part of my gym. Nor the hours - those classes were either crackofdawn, or 6pm, totally made for the office crowd. So it seems like a big investment for something I'm not really experienced at.

 

[rodi]

Local YMCA opened this past Friday. They are allowing 1 more month (July) of membership hold. I did that this morning. COVID cases are going up in my county and even though they are doing a lot - it seems like an indoor space where people are breathing hard is not going to be good idea for a while.

I actually expect gyms to be closed again sometime in the next week or so... along with non-active activities at the beach... indoor dining.... etc.

As was mentioned in another thread - We may be done with COVID but COVID is not done with us.

 

[Marita40]

My small gym is opening next week for limited on-site classes. I can't wait. I am eager to continue to support them. They did a fantastic job with zoom classes.

 

[eytonxav]

A second vote for the Concept 2.

Totally agree, one of the best pieces of exercise equipment in our gym. Great cardio and full body workout and easy on the joints.

 

[zinger1457]

Gyms here in Arizona were allowed to open up about a month ago, most did, the Gov just issued an order yesterday requiring that they be closed again, will reevaluate in a month.

 

[ugeauxgirl]

Gyms here in Arizona were allowed to open up about a month ago, most did, the Gov just issued an order yesterday requiring that they be closed again, will reevaluate in a month.

Ugh- I hope that doesn't happen here. It's way too hot here to exercise outside and I'm bored to tears trying to work out in my house.

 

[Z3Dreamer]

Totally agree, one of the best pieces of exercise equipment in our gym. Great cardio and full body workout and easy on the joints.

Have been using a Concept2 rower for about 6 years. Local gym purchased a Concept2 SkiErg about 2 years ago. Great piece of equipment. I am not a skier, but the motion of this machine is good cardio. It has the same monitor (PM5) as the rower and bike they make. Since local gym has been shut down for months, I am considering buying a SkiErg. Of course, everything is backordered due to.....

 

[eytonxav]

Have been using a Concept2 rower for about 6 years. Local gym purchased a Concept2 SkiErg about 2 years ago. Great piece of equipment. I am not a skier, but the motion of this machine is good cardio. It has the same monitor (PM5) as the rower and bike they make. Since local gym has been shut down for months, I am considering buying a SkiErg. Of course, everything is backordered due to.....

Yep, buying something for home use reminds me of the toilet paper shortage.

 

[aja8888]

Yep, buying something for home use reminds me of the toilet paper shortage.

Concept2 rowing machines are about as hard to get as TP was a few months ago. Ask me how I know!