Blog Post 9:

 COVID-19 and The Fitness Industry

The emphasis on health and fitness is the epicenter of 2020. A beginning of a new decade accompanied by economic downfalls, social isolation, and numerous deaths. Health has become the new norm. Keeping the healthiest immune system and having a fit body has become important for humanity’s survival more than ever before. 

In March, gyms all over the world had to close down due to the pandemic. Globally, people had to be creative and find ways to exercise indoors during the lockdown and practice social distancing when exercising outdoors which was a privilege for some but not for many. 

However, circumstances are changing and as of this month, gyms all over the world are slowly opening with strict guidelines for their customers. Online news media are informing the public about the diverse measurements that gyms are creating, however, the news is also emphasizing the fact that we are dealing with new and uncharted territory due to the pandemic.

Dr. Amesh Adalja speaks to Fitness about the problems arising regarding gyms opening. 

Unfortunately, like many questions with the coronavirus, there’s no clear-cut, one-size-fits-all answer.

Worldwide, health and fitness are being emphasized on a greater level than ever seen before. However, it has not been easy for everyone due to the lockdown and gyms closing all over the world? For many, long walks and runs are not enough, living rooms being turned into gym workouts and social media fitness videos do not work for everybody.

The question that news media outlets are portraying is how safe it is for people to go to the gym since this pandemic is still hitting like a tsunami and no vaccine is available. Should people really risk their own health? Are gyms only opening for economic purposes? These are questions that people need to ask themselves constantly before diving in a gym. Whereas news media articles are emphasizing upon the strict guidelines that gyms are creating, medical experts are stating that people should go to the gym as their last resort. 

Dr. Sandra Kesh speaks to CNET regarding people going to the gym during this pandemic.

"And if they have no alternative and feel that it's important to their overall well-being, then they can go to a gym."

Health experts are emphasizing that it is complicated to answer whether or not it is safe enough to go. According to them the safest place to exercise is outdoors since it is easier to practice social distancing, unlike the gym. 

Masks are being enforced in all gyms for everyone’s safety but looking at it from a logical perspective how can one be doing rigorous physical exercise with a mask when air is being limited. It is non-realistic because working out requires maximum breathing and having a tight mask around someone’s face is claustrophobic enough, let alone while exercising.

The news media are sharing enough guidelines that the public needs to abide by when going to the gyms but overall is it worth meddling with your health when were are still in the middle of the ocean floating without any survival kit?

Tim Hatten, CEO of Mountain Fitness speaks to FOX10 regarding one's well-being when approaching the gym. 

For those who are nervous, try and see how you feel. Maybe don’t rush back in walk back in, as a fitness term, you could say," said Hatten.