Managing Your Physical Fitness During COVID-19 | July 2020

I lost five pounds during quarantine and I admit that I was spoiled. While at home, I drank a gallon of water each day, I walked five miles, two to three times per week, and I rested until my heart was content. I was intentional about what I ate and when,  and everything was going according to plan. 

When I returned to work, that's when I began to pack on the pounds. Not really, but it felt that way. Along with the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, a new schedule awaited me and flexibility was going to be my new found friend. I was concerned that I wasn't going to be able to work out as much. I was anxious, I was stressed, and my strategies didn't seem to work. I was eating a lot! Going back to the gym was inevitable. After finding the answers to so many questions and reasonable concerns, I felt completely comfortable with my decision. 

Two months after returning to the gym and working out faithfully, I'm more than well adjusted. My mind is renewed, and my body is making its transition back to normal. I don't feel as heavy anymore and I am well on my way to secret success. From the heart of my experiences, I wanted to share with you what I've learned. Here are my top five tips on how to maintain your physical fitness and safely return to the gym. 

Please note that although gyms should do everything they can to ensure the safety of their customers, it is ultimately our responsibility to ensure that we are in control of our health. 

Wear a Mask 
This sounds redundant, but you'd be surprised. The CDC recommends wearing a mask while in public and the gym is no exception. In the gym there are people and people sweat. This is common knowledge to mankind, but this also creates an environment conducive to germs and I am pretty sure that it is not Coronavirus free. Wearing a mask protects you and everyone around you from inhaling unwanted particles, bacteria, and viruses lurking in the air.

Wearing a mask can be difficult at first and finding the right, breathable mask may take some time, but don't give up and don't give in. The fashion masks didn't work well for me at first. They were too thick and too difficult to breathe in. The most breathable masks for me are the triple layer paper masks. They are light, but still safe. To find the best deal, shop Cable and Kits. 

Triple layer cloth masks are my second choice, but require me to take more deep breaths especially when engaging in elongated cardiovascular exercises. I purchased these masks from Old Navy and wear one to work everyday. I noticed that I pull my mask down less and have developed elongated endurance than when I first started. These are my go to masks for protection. Find great patterns that match your workout wardrobe at Old Navy and a host of other stores. 

Bring Your Own Wipes or Spray

I do not like being sick. Not only does it feel horrible, but due to the nature of my profession, it is important that I stay healthy and come to work everyday. Prior to COVID-19, I kept Clorox wipes in my gym bag and used them to wipe down the equipment. Only after using the equipment would I use the bottled sanitizer provided. During COVID-19, gyms have increased their cleanliness to make its users feel safe. One addition is that hand sanitizer is now available at highly visible cleaning stations after you've touched the cleaning solution. 

Though wipes can be expensive and somewhat hard to find, all is not lost. Another method of ensuring cleanliness of the equipment  is to use a sanitizing mister. Fill the mister with a gentle amount of bleach-water solution. Before using each piece of equipment, simply spray the solution onto the equipment and wipe with paper towels. In public spaces, it is important to follow the instructions of the Clorox label to keep everyone safe. 

Find the oil sprayer that works best for you here. You can also find a sanitizing mister here as well. 

Cue Comfortable Clothing
After being out of the gym for so long, I knew that I wanted to be comfortable and if I wasn't, I definitely wasn't going. For me, that meant throwing on one of my favorite pair of track pants, a matching T-shirt, and heading out the door. I'm not nearly as concerned about what I look like in the gym than how I feel and what I will eventually look like outside the gym. 

 

Maintain Social Distancing
The gym has helped with this tremendously. In the cardio area, every other treadmill is blocked off with a nicely labeled sign, encouraging Social Fitnessing. This provides a comfortable space between you and other guests. However, there are times where you may still walk past the occasional visitor or be in the same vicinity as someone else, so - wear a mask and go at non-peak hours when the gym is less crowded. Early on, this consisted of driving by the gym at peak hours and observing the number of cars present. I also went inside to workout at different times during the day to get a feel of the capacity or when it was most crowded. 

Adjust Your Schedule

I’m grateful for the flexibility of my schedule and the ability to go to the gym during non-peak hours. During this season, most gyms are not 24 hours and are temporarily closed for cleaning. As a result, more people are in the gym at the same time and that time is limited.  I noticed that the gym is very crowded and moist in the morning and less crowded two-three hours prior to closing. It was hard at first, since the gym is no longer 24 hours, but with a little flexibility and help from my employer, I was able to make it happen. 

In my opinion, life is worth living and since the Coronavirus is a respiratory disease that attacks your lungs, having strong lungs and maintaining a consistent workout routine can help keep us safe.