Staying active is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and many people during this time are opting to exercise outdoors rather than go to their local gym or fitness facility. Exercising outdoors (on your own) is the safest option, but if you choose to go to the gym there are a few things to remember.
High intensity group physical activities including spin classes, aerobics, hot yoga and high intensity interval training (HIIT) are suspended for now. Low intensity indoor group physical activities may now resume if gyms and recreation centres follow the new
guidelines. Learn more about the recent orders on
physical activity and gyms. Some gyms and recreation facilities may be offering virtual group fitness activities.
Gyms and recreation facilities that offer individual workouts and personal training sessions remain open.
When you pack a bag to go to the gym, make sure to bring items that you might normally use communally.
- A full water bottle
- Hand sanitizer to ensure you have a way to clean your hands between the use of different pieces of equipment (if hand washing is not possible).
- Personal items for use in the change rooms (such as hairdryers, deodorant, soaps, etc.).
- Your own towel (rather than those provided by a linen service).
- If you use equipment during your workout, bring your own if possible (such as helmets, racquets, goggles, yoga mats, gloves, weight belts, ankle guards, etc.)
When at the gym, don’t share water bottles or other drinks, choose exercises that keep you in the same spot and at least 2 metres away from others, and clean or disinfect equipment after use – wait for equipment surfaces to air dry naturally before using. Wash your hands before and after a workout and use hand sanitizer when transitioning between pieces of equipment.
If you use the services of a personal trainer, consider the use of technology for virtual training where possible. If you are meeting with your trainer in person, avoid physical contact during sessions and maintain physical distance. Avoid activities that necessitate close contact (e.g., needing spotters during weight training, sparring in martial arts, and games in contact sports).