As a 70+ heart attack survivor, I have been very careful to maintain a regular exercise regime with twice weekly gym sessions, golf twice a week and additional 3-4 mile brisk walks weather permitting.
My concern is the gym visits, and the danger of picking up this coronavirus. Most of the colds I have picked up I'm sure came from gym equipment, it must be virtually impossible to make sure everyone wipes down equipment after use.
Wiping down the weight equipment before and after use would double my time at the gym and I'm not sure it would be very effective, how do you wipe down a rope pull?
Should I just use the cardio stuff, treadmill, bike and cross trainer and miss out on the weights? What about the steam room, my reward for a completed session? Sauna?
Am I being paranoid, should I stop going to the gym until this virus has been defeated?
Be interested to know what you think....
Written by
tunybgur
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Problem is the gym is where I get my cardio workout, the cross trainer is where I get my pulse up for a time (about 120) which I find difficult elsewhere. I can't run because I've got arthritus in my hip....otherwise my pulse rarely gets above 100 as I'm on beta blockers.
I'm not avoiding the gym. I'm going there as normal, making sure I keep my hands away from my face while exercising and when I've finished I'll be giving my hands a good 20-30 second wash.
I think I'd skip the rope (ha ha), as it will be near impossible to clean and keep clean. Assuming you can find any, wipe down everything else before you get on it and again after you get off. It will increase your time but lower your risk level (of catching it in the first place). As you have indicated, you cannot assume that the previous person was as concerned or thoughtful as yourself. As soon as the gym has a case of COVID-19, I think I'd stop going and stick to the walks and the golf.
I'm not sure about the sauna and the survival of coronavirus in those conditions - you might need the help of Mr Google for that one
The more I read about this virus the more I am minded to exclude the gym, we 70+ I think will soon be advised to self isolate...if only to reduce the chance of spreading it.
My suggestion is to pack in the membership. I gave up gym membership years ago owing to catching everything anyone was bringing in. Money-saver, among other bonus benefits of giving up that membership.
I had three pieces of home gym equipment (stationary bike, universal bench with weights and sit-up bars, and a rowing machine. Then we downsized and I ended up having to 'rehome' all my bulky equipment.
I now have 'compact' home gym equipment: free weights, one of those 'granny half-bike' things (that actually do work amazingly well I have to say), a multi-position resistance bands contraption (that also works amazingly well to provide a full-body work-out), and (I'm not embarrassed to admit this) the full three set DVD Coleen Nolan dancercise DVDs.
No more worry about germy gyms, and bonus: no more embarrassment at my level of fitness (including how I look in my gym kit, lol!).
I've also got some gear at home, a bike and rower plus some weights, but I find going to the gym focusses me more, at home I quickly get out of the habit and bored....also the interaction with kindred spirits (oaps) is nice.
I'm just recovering from a cold which I'm sure I picked up at the gym, and the older you are the longer it takes to shake off...
My biggest problem was motivation - you're so right it's easy to get out of the habit. I forced myself repeating as I did each rep 'Saving Money. Saving Money. Saving...' and lol, whadda-u-no, motivation back!
Very few like-aged (and like-condition) fellow gym goers where I was going so I never missed the company I never had there.
I do enjoy company whilst walking and I'm hoping once this virus thing is over I can get a walking group going by posting a notice at the library - they encourage that sort of thing with their community notice board. We live in a small town and the library is so convenient it will be a good starting-ending place.
I think what I enjoy most about those DVDs is the music, lol!
I dont know if you are being paranoid but I would have the same concerns. I think alot of bacteria/ viruses can b found on equipment. I have always worried about MRSA , ( bad staph) and many other unfriendly bacteria. What about maybe wearing gym gloves?
Gloves are a good idea, but you must still be sure to not touch your face, I assume you are talking about throwaway gloves?
I have some medical type single use gloves but find them incredibly thin and easy to puncture...I use them when working on my car but the oil etc always gets through.
I would give up the gym for now. Nearly six months ago I had to give up going because of arthritic pain - GP has since advised me not to return. For exercise I have dumb bells, a mini exercise bike (hope to upgrade later in year) and resistance bands. Personally I do not miss the gym and I didn't like the ha es on much of the equipment. Some of the group had bonded but I never felt any bond bar we were all hearties.
Yes, arthritus is a bummer...but I find it comes and goes, if my immune system is busy fighting a virus it seems to be much worse, but when I'm fit sometimes I hardly notice it. It's like any form of inflammation, good days and bad days.
Tough call but I am continuing. I wipe down all equipment before use and after use. I avoid equipment I cannot clean. I go at quiet times and keep my distance. This is going to continue for weeks. I cannot just walk for exercise.
I think it will last more than weeks....what about the steam room and sauna? I can see the steam room acting as an incubator, but the sauna is dry...is that ok?....nobody seems to know.
My only thought is that I wouldn’t want to be near anybodies sweat. I was also alarmed to read that the virus can survive on soft as well as hard surfaces!
I used to go to the gym four to five times a week for high interval training, Zumba classes, tai chi and swimming. This kept arthritis pain away and, as it turns out, kept me alive before my heart attack. I can’t believe how fit and active I was. Since my heart attack I can’t do any classes and struggle with swimming. I’ve had two colds that have lasted ages and the pains are back. Think you’re right about the germs at the gym so haven’t been since Christmas.
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