No one in the fitness industry could have been fully prepared for the effects brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s an industry made up primarily of the most positive-minded and optimistic people. People who have prioritized taking care of themselves for a variety of reasons. From a distance, it may seem a lot more superficial than it is. People who focus on prioritizing fitness which can greatly affect their physical capabilities and appearance are often seen as being a bit too self-absorbed. But anyone who’s practiced following a fitness lifestyle for an appreciable amount of time understands quite well that the most important things fitness gives its followers are more internal than external.
Fitness is a way of investing in the health and well being of your body by taking good care of yourself. Following a fitness lifestyle can improve longevity, stress management, energy, mental focus, mood, and a host of health markers, plus greatly contribute to strengthening the immune system. In addition, it will also improve muscular strength, flexibility, cardiovascular health, and aerobic conditioning while helping to combat osteoporosis.
For many, a fitness lifestyle is key to health and wellness and is the first line of defense against sickness and illness. In the current health compromised state of the world, fitness is more important than ever, not only for the people who have regularly practiced it but also for the ones who are new and can now experience its many benefits.
Do You Really Need A Gym? – It would be ridiculous to suggest that everyone needs to train in a gym or health club to be fit. But make no mistake, those fitness facilities are critical to a great many, and are a big key in terms of supporting a lifestyle fitness approach which can greatly contribute to helping to get and keep our current health crisis back under control. The more fit and healthy we all become, the better it will be for our society to resist and combat the effects of any and all disease.
For many people, getting and staying fit is hard. It is a non-glamorous, often challenge commitment than one makes at the expense of many distractions. Along with an appreciable amount of self-determination, it can also take a great measure of support, encouragement, and information to be successfully practiced. While these things can be derived in different ways, the environment of a gym or health club is one of the most successful for a lot of people. The equipment, support, instruction, and positive environment can be determining factors for many to make their fitness goals happen. Similar to a student being in a designated classroom setting with other students to best focus on their educations, being in a designated fitness environment can be the “make or break factor” for some people, especially if they are less experienced.
A Matter Of Safety – With many businesses being determined as essential, others have been seemingly relegated to a lesser status. Not only are gyms more important than they have been given credit for, but they are also a lot safer than almost all essential and non-essential businesses rated above them.
Gyms are unique in that they are membership oriented businesses. It’s not just random people showing up to workout. It’s a specific group of known members who have agreed to follow certain protocols as part of that membership. There’s a lot more control and ability to set and mandate adherence to guidelines and protocols, and even implement new procedures as necessary compared to say, a grocery store. Gym goers can be identified and tracked, temperature checked, instructed, and informed of any safety procedures and/or requirements, and can be monitored and expected to comply, with the consequence of having their gym access terminated if ever the need arises. The facilities can easily be set up to encourage and implement social distancing and the number of occupants can be controlled and limited as required. Available equipment can be properly spaced. It can be cleaned and disinfected before and after each use.
Currently, there are enough gyms to easily support the number of people who desire to use them while still adhering to social distancing protocols. That may not remain the case if they are forced to stay closed for too long and too many are not able to re-open. That could create or cause a serious challenge in society’s ability to properly pursue and practice a lifestyle standard of health and fitness which can be a critical element in combating any illness-based disease longterm.
Herd Immunity – “When most of a population is immune to an infectious disease, this provides indirect protection—or herd immunity (also called herd protection)—to those who are not immune to the disease.” – John Hopkins School of Public Health
Being fit and healthy bolsters the immune system and makes someone less likely to contract a disease or illness. Being physically fit also promotes and dramatically improves the likelihood of recovering from any contracted disease and illness, and via the production of antibodies reduces the likelihood of contracting that disease again. Logic would dictate that the greater the number of healthy and fit people, the less likely those at higher risk will become infected by a disease.
“Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.” – MayoClinc.org
Tips For A Safe Gym Experience
Follow any and all gym rules and mandates as they relate to health, safety, and COVID-19 protocols
Practice Social Distancing, not socializing! Get in, do your workout, and get out!
Wear a mask as required!
Disinfect every piece of equipment and/or machine before and after each use!
Wash your hands frequently and practice good general hygiene.
Do not wear the same gym clothes without washing them between workouts.
If you feel sick or have a cough or fever do not go to the gym! (many gyms will temperature check members upon arrival)
If you live in a household with an infected person, quarantine properly, and get tested!
Having as many healthy and fit people in a society as possible can greatly benefit society as a whole in terms of protection from disease. Properly situated gyms and fitness centers can play a big role in this.
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