Sound the alarm! New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo officially announced that New York City's gyms are able to open as early as August 24, assuming they meet the extended rules and regulations set out for them. As fitness studios around the country have been the last priority when it comes to phased reopening due to coronavirus (COVID-19), instructors are rejoicing at the option to go back to work and be (safely) with their students.
You obviously can't just waltz into your favorite spin studio and plop yourself down on a bike. With reopenings, studios and gyms are going to have to be incredibly careful so they can keep students safe (and not get shut down again).
These regulations differ depending on what state you're in, but there are a few things you should do before re-entering the gym for the first time, no matter where you live.
1. If you feel even a little sick, stay home
For the sake of everyone else at the gym, don't risk it just because you've really missed your yoga class. Even if you're convinced it's nothing, be considerate of the gym's employees who will cringe when they hear you sneeze on the treadmill. Just take one for the team and stay home.
2. Check the gym's mask mandate
No matter where you're located, most gyms around the country will require a mask to some extent. In lower outbreak areas, this might just mean wearing one in and out, but not while you're actually working out. For areas that experienced larger outbreaks (and slower reopenings) like New York City, you may be required to wear a mask for the entirety of your class/workout.
If you don't want to follow the mask mandate that the gym is enforcing, please recognize that going to the gym without one in protest will not help anyone. The front desk worker who kindly reminds you of the mandate isn't the one ruining your workout by asking you to wear one, they're simply doing their job. If you do not want to follow the re-opening regulations, it's better to stay home and do a great home workout.
3. See if you need a reservation
Many gyms, especially fitness studios that specialize in group classes, will require you to make a reservation so they can limit how many people will be in the gym/class at one time. For general gym use, this may include an expiration time (so no two-hour workouts for you). For classes, this will limit the number of participants allowed. These reservations should be a first-come, first-serve policy — make sure you fully plan on attending when you book your time slot, so you don't take time away from someone else!
4. Confirm whether or not the locker rooms are open
Some common areas, where germs could spread easier, may be closed for your gym's initial re-opening. Things like saunas, showers, and locker rooms would be harder for the gym staff to closely monitor for cleanliness — they may decide to keep them closed for the time being. If you're going to the gym before work and are counting on shower access (or you were just looking forward to some relaxing sauna time) this is something to check on before you go in.
5. Plan a workout that is considerate of spacial needs and those around you
Gyms and studios will have already marked off machines/spaces that are off-limits, ideally making social distancing very easy to follow as you go through your workout. As space will be more limited, be considerate of what kind of workout you're going to do. Instead of laying on a mat to do push-ups, maybe do standing circuits with kettlebells to take up less space. Yes, gyms are open, but that doesn't mean you need to hog up the already-condensed space that's there.
6. Be ready to sanitize equipment before and after you use them
This is always a good idea, as you can never guarantee the person who used the equipment before you sanitized it when they were done, but it's even more important during the COVID-19 crisis. Gyms should have disinfectant readily available, easy to access whenever you need to spray something down.
7. Call and ask for any additional policies you might have missed
Every gym in your area will have the same state-mandated requirements, but that doesn't mean they will each be handling those requirements the same way, or even opening on the same day! Call your studio and check-in with their front desk so you know exactly what to expect before you begin going in again.
