With India slowly unlocking, all the public places which were high risk areas are slowly opening. With some ease in restrictions in many parts of the country, local gyms and yoga centers are reopening gradually. Despite this, we can’t overlook the fact that India is still in the top 5 affected countries. This begs the question if it is safe to go to the gym or avoid it completely!
Why Do You Feel Like Going To The Gym?
Physical activity or exercise is a very crucial part of a healthy lifestyle. Everyone who wants to stay healthy understands its importance as well as how hard it is to stay motivated and not miss our daily workout. Gym & fitness classes don’t just provide us personalized instruction to help achieve our fitness goals but they also give a sense of community & support. Considering the current situation, we cannot deny the fact that they are also crowded, where risk of infection is much higher due to a lot of surface area that people commonly come in contact with.
Have You Tried Joining the New Fitness Revolution?
They say where there is a will, there is a way and the same applies to keeping fit as well. People are now turning to fitness apps and workout videos to stay fit. Exercising at home has become the new normal. Besides, studies have shown that it’s better to workout in open and natural spaces than poorly ventilated and crowded places. But, if you’ve been regular at the gym for a few years, you might be missing the discipline and support it provides. It’s natural to feel the urge to hit the gym as soon as it opens.
Things To Consider Before Rushing To The Gym Again
While it’s natural to have an increased urge to go back to your pre-pandemic fitness regime, you still need to ensure that the risk of infection is minimized. So consider these points to stay safe:
- Check if the strength of group fitness sessions is low so maintaining distance is possible.
- Check if gym staff is sanitizing the equipment often and between the sessions.
- Ask if they are checking temperatures of staff & members before entering.
- Avoid gyms which do not have enough ventilation, or are located in the basement.
- Carry your own sanitizer, towels, mask, water bottle, yoga mats, etc. every time you visit.
- Do not share any of the above things with anybody.
- Stay home if you are not feeling well.
- Avoid going if there is a surge of infections around the locality.
With so many things to consider before going to the gym, what’s your take? Let us know in the comments below!
If you’re still unsure, consider working out at home till things change for the better. Moreover, you can download the GOQii App and workout with our fitness experts online on GOQii Play. If you’re looking for home workouts or more information on fitness and an active lifestyle, check out Healthy Reads.
If you will be heading out to the gym, then #KeepAWatch on your health with the GOQii Smart Vital that comes with 18 exercise modes to help you get the most out of your workout. It also helps you track your body temperature, blood oxygen (SpO2), heart rate and blood pressure – all of which can help you detect infections at an early stage.
Stay safe and #BeTheForce
Social distancing can be really hard and not being able to burn all those calories while lying around at home is just unfair. Many of us don’t have any exercise equipment at home, so it’s all the more difficult to get a good workout. Well, a great way to kill two birds with one stone is to turn your daily chores into workouts. 
Apart from all the preventive measures we can take against COVID-19, should exercise be considered one of them? Can regular exercise actually protect us against COVID-19? Some might agree whereas others might not. In 1998, a large study showed that mild to moderate exercise performed about 4-5 times a week reduced the risk of dying during the Hong Kong flu outbreak. Could it be the same for COVID-19? Let’s find out! 
