What it's like to gym on reopening day
TLDR: The gym was sanitized, but still seems risky for air transmission of COVID and I would not recommend going if you are uncomfortable being around people not wearing masks.
I have been a 24 Hour Fitness member since 2012, and I've bought the Costco member 2 year super sport pass for $599 3 times. My main gym is the Downtown Sacramento Super Sport. It reopened today- but 24 has been pretty good at sending updates, i.e. when it closed in March, and how they were planning on reopening:
I reserved a workout time on the 24GO app the day before:
I arrived around 6:05, and could not get in because the club was closed for cleaning. The club manager informed me that they start cleaning at 6 and it takes 25 minutes. That reassured me re: sanitation as 20 or so people walked out without wearing masks. I also saw the manager cleaning the door.
(screenshot of 24's safety video)
People were crowding around the entrance, and not lining up according to blue tape outside which was annoying. Also maybe 3 out of 30 people were wearing masks.
Check-in was a mess. They have touchless check-in, and two employees were frantically checking the phone screens of the horde trying to get in.
Regardless, I was the 4th person in the gym, so I was comfortable using most of the machines and they all looked wiped down. The layout was basically the same pre-COVID, with slightly more distance between some machines.
There was tape and signs encouraging social distancing, and every other treadmill was closed off.
(more screenshots of 24's safety video)
The gym was about 60-75% full, so it seems that they are limiting the number of people in.
I guess the gym experience was better than the usual gym experience since it wasn't as crowded, but some people annoyingly spent more time on certain machines, and I didn't get to do one exercise that was suggested on my fitbod app.
I brought a mask but used it only at check in, which 95% of people didn't even do. Maybe 3 people in the entire gym kept a mask as they worked out, and they were older. My concern is that some of the Sac 24 members are the type to frequent bars, which may also be a COVID risk. But I do feel that the equipment is clean, and that 24 can't really force people to wear masks.
I was somewhat set aback by the lack of masks, but I guess if you're willing to exercise in the gym, you are willing to assume the risks of being in a public place, akin to shopping in a store that does not require masks. There is definitely demand for people to use their gym membership - just don't be surprised by the lack of masks and a crowd at check-in.
I have been a 24 Hour Fitness member since 2012, and I've bought the Costco member 2 year super sport pass for $599 3 times. My main gym is the Downtown Sacramento Super Sport. It reopened today- but 24 has been pretty good at sending updates, i.e. when it closed in March, and how they were planning on reopening:
I reserved a workout time on the 24GO app the day before:
I arrived around 6:05, and could not get in because the club was closed for cleaning. The club manager informed me that they start cleaning at 6 and it takes 25 minutes. That reassured me re: sanitation as 20 or so people walked out without wearing masks. I also saw the manager cleaning the door.
(screenshot of 24's safety video)
People were crowding around the entrance, and not lining up according to blue tape outside which was annoying. Also maybe 3 out of 30 people were wearing masks.
Check-in was a mess. They have touchless check-in, and two employees were frantically checking the phone screens of the horde trying to get in.
Regardless, I was the 4th person in the gym, so I was comfortable using most of the machines and they all looked wiped down. The layout was basically the same pre-COVID, with slightly more distance between some machines.
There was tape and signs encouraging social distancing, and every other treadmill was closed off.
(more screenshots of 24's safety video)
The gym was about 60-75% full, so it seems that they are limiting the number of people in.
I guess the gym experience was better than the usual gym experience since it wasn't as crowded, but some people annoyingly spent more time on certain machines, and I didn't get to do one exercise that was suggested on my fitbod app.
I brought a mask but used it only at check in, which 95% of people didn't even do. Maybe 3 people in the entire gym kept a mask as they worked out, and they were older. My concern is that some of the Sac 24 members are the type to frequent bars, which may also be a COVID risk. But I do feel that the equipment is clean, and that 24 can't really force people to wear masks.
I was somewhat set aback by the lack of masks, but I guess if you're willing to exercise in the gym, you are willing to assume the risks of being in a public place, akin to shopping in a store that does not require masks. There is definitely demand for people to use their gym membership - just don't be surprised by the lack of masks and a crowd at check-in.
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