DO YOU EVEN SANITIZE, BRO? Oh the lengths gym rats will go to get back to their workout routines.
Illustration: Dave UrbanFITNESS FACILITIES reopening across the U.S. haven’t yet seen a mad dash back to machines, a la New Year’s Day. But exercise addicts who can’t handle another pixelated Zoom class spent hoisting soup cans instead of free weights are eager to enjoy dedicated workout space and real equipment.
To combat high-risk factors associated with gyms—close quarters, bad circulation, mouth breathers—many clubs are stepping up sanitization procedures, capping capacity at 50% and mandating masks. Some have created plastic pods to keep grunters and flirts at bay; others have erected domes for hot yoga or set up sweat shields between treadmills.
But even if your gym isn’t Saran-wrapping individual workout spaces, you can take a few simple measures to protect yourself.
“ Wearing a mask is also nonnegotiable, especially when it comes to protecting yourself from the grunts and pants of fellow gym-goers. ”
First, remember to bring your own water bottle, towels and simple equipment including mats and resistance bands, said Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D., a professor of applied microbiology at Simmons University in Boston. Because “every time you touch something someone else has used, you’re potentially transmitting infectious agents to your face.”
To avoid direct contact with the gym’s smooth and hard shared surfaces—on which Covid-19 can survive for longer periods according to new research in the medical journal, the Lancet—wrap stainless steel handles or grips with KleenWraps (from $15, kleenwraps.com). These neoprene strips feature an antimicrobial agent that reduces the strength and transmission rate of pathogens it comes into contact with. Or pull on a pair of Spectral Body’s compression gloves ($26, spectralbody.com) that claim to kill viruses on contact thanks to the antimicrobial properties of copper, which is woven into the fabric. (Neither of product has been tested against Covid-19.)
While these products might help protect you, they can also “give people a false sense of security,” warned Ms. Scott. “You start using a glove or a wrap, and then you stop practicing the hand sanitizing.” For that reason, maintain your commitment to sanitizer and use it liberally before and after you touch any surfaces.
Wearing a mask is also nonnegotiable, especially when it comes to protecting yourself from the grunts and pants of fellow gym-goers. Yes, it can feel uncomfortable and hot, but “even just a simple fabric mask can reduce the likelihood of transmission by 80% to 95% in an indoor environment,” explained Felipe Lobelo, M.D., an epidemiologist and senior physician consultant in population health research for Kaiser Permanente of Georgia.
Brands like Adidas and Reebok have recently debuted washable two-layer masks made from breathable fabrics; Under Armour, however, went a step further in creating a three-layer system that meets the World Health Organization’s recommendations. The UA Sportsmask ($30, underarmour.com), is structured to sit comfortably off your face and lips, with an adjustable nose bridge to keep it secure. It also features an inner lining made from performance fabric that keeps you cool.
“The closer the mask fits to the face, the better,” said Ms. Scott, adding that you want the mask to pinch closely to your nose and sit tightly against the cheeks.
If your spring workouts consisted of tracking steps in your backyard using gadgets from Fitbit, Garmin, Oura Ring or the Apple Watch, you may already be wearing an important tool for future virus detection. Stanford is using crowdsourced data like heart rate and skin temperature from such gizmos to analyze and predict potential Covid-19 cases. Whoop, a fitness tracker that measures recovery (from $30 per month, whoop.com), is developing an algorithm that tracks respiratory rates to detect pre-symptomatic and symptomatic cases.
“It’s useful to have these devices in order to monitor your own health trends,” said Dr. Lobelo. If your resting heart rate or respiratory rate suddenly jumps significantly from what’s normal for you, that might be a red flag.
Still, one in four Americans say they’ll never return to the gym, according to a survey by market research company OnePoll. If you’re brave enough to head back, you’ll likely enjoy more space, clean equipment and peace of mind—at least until everyone else gets sick of doing dumbbell presses with Minestrone.
THE NEW GYM BAG / FOUR ESSENTIALS FOR A SAFE RETURN TO THE GYM
The Bag: Stash all your personal items (water, towels, resistance bands) in this Paravel Fold-Up Bag, a roomy nylon duffel. Before leaving the gym, remember to toss all used items in the deep interior zippered pocket. $65, tourparavel.com
The Gloves: Copper, useful in limiting how long viruses live on surfaces, is woven into Spectral Body’s workout gloves. Rubber grips help you firmly grasp weights; compression helps circulate blood flow. $26, spectralbody.com
The Wraps: The neoprene in KleenWraps provides a barrier from high-contact surfaces and is treated with an antimicrobial agent that reduces the strength of pathogens it comes in contact with. From $15, kleenwraps.com
The Mask: Under Armour’s breathable Sportsmask features a three-layer system of fabric—recommended by the World Health Organization—and adds antimicrobial tech to inhibit the growth of bacteria. $30, underarmour.com
The Wall Street Journal is not compensated by retailers listed in its articles as outlets for products. Listed retailers frequently are not the sole retail outlets.
Copyright ©2020 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
"really" - Google News
July 17, 2020 at 08:18PM
https://ift.tt/3eCEo7k
Can You Really Return to a Gym During Covid-19? - The Wall Street Journal
"really" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3b3YJ3H
https://ift.tt/35qAk7d
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Can You Really Return to a Gym During Covid-19? - The Wall Street Journal"
Post a Comment