As concerns about the coronavirus outbreak continue to spread, health and government officials are encouraging people to take precautions such as limiting large gatherings and avoiding close physical contact.
However, officials have also encouraged people to remain physically active as a means of managing coronavirus-related anxiety that can arise with "social distancing" and isolation.
The combination leaves gyms, fitness centers and yoga studios somewhere in the middle.
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While some experts have warned that gyms, and their sweaty environments, can be ripe for the spread of germs, many others are advising people to apply the same caution they are using in other public spaces right now.
"The gym, like other public places, is safe as long as you take precautions," WebMD's chief medical officer Dr. John Whyte told Yahoo. "Unless there is a full quarantine in your area, it is probably still OK to go to the gym. Many gyms are using hospital-grade cleaners to sanitize equipment."
For now, both locally owned fitness facilities and national chains have largely decided to remain open while encouraging clients to exercise extra caution.
In an email sent to members last week, David Carney, president of Orangetheory Fitness, said "wipe down your equipment after every block, and don't hesitate to request a new wipe whenever you need to," according to the New York Times.
The popular boutique gym has multiple locations in metro Atlanta.
The sentiment is shared by most other national chains. On its website, Life Time Fitness, which has locations in northern metro Atlanta said it is increasing cleaning protocols, adding hand-sanitizing stations and forming plans “should the need arise in any of our communities.”
“At Life Time, we are monitoring the evolving situation and following the guidelines of the CDC in all of our clubs and work spaces to keep our members and team members safe, and our spaces clean,” the post on the gym’s website reads.
Planet Fitness CEO Chris Rondeau said in an email to members earlier this week that the nationwide facilities already have "high cleanliness standards ... to protect against the spread of bacteria and germs." They also encouraged clients to be extra mindful in spraying and wiping down equipment.
Metro Atlanta locations of the YMCA sent out similar communication to its members. In an email, the Y said “YMCA staff whose primary job is not janitorial can be seen wiping down surfaces (front desk, registration tables, play center counters and doors) and cleaning wellness equipment on a regular basis.”
The Y also noted that starting March 14, it will limit some services and programs, including:
- Afterschool programs, swim lessons, play centers, group exercise classes will not be held until further notice.Youth programs and swim lessons will be suspended through March 29.
- Local gyms and yoga studios in metro Atlanta are also taking preventative measures.
Highland Yoga, which has multiple intown locations, said in an Instagram post Thursday that it would limit its class capacity to allow for more room between mats, among other preventative measures.
“As the owners of Highland Yoga, we consider our students and teachers our family. We want to do everything in our power to protect our community during this time,” the post reads.
The studio is also encouraging yogis to bring their own towels and will require attendees to use hand sanitizer before signing in.
VESTA Movement, a locally owned kickboxing gym with two intown locations, shared a similar post on social media Thursday.
The gym said it would suspend the use of iPads to sign into classes, end classes five minutes early to allow for additional cleaning time, as well as having staff “cleaning and sanitizing around the clock - during business hours and after.”
In Midtown, evolation yoga Atlanta sent an email encouraging folks to stay home if they had recently traveled to counties with a high number of coronavirus cases. Like other places, the studio also emphasized its commitment to additional cleaning measures.
While getting a work out can benefit mental and physical health, experts encourage individuals to take the precautions they see necessary.
"The gym is not a place that's necessarily riskier than other communal areas. I wouldn't say there's anything particular about people sweating that makes them more contagious," Dr. Paul Sax, medical director of the division of infectious diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, told TIME.
If you are opting to be extra cautious, here are seven ways to stay physically active when you're stuck at home.
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