Our medium city area has had relatively few cases. Gyms are open. Normal gym has a capacity of 400 people, but only 44 are allowed, plus 12 in an exercise class. Even still, there are few lines and several open spots (apart from just before and after 9-5 work). I think they have done a good job at keeping the gym clean and safe from Covid.
People have been keeping 2m apart. Many (non-instructors) take off their masks at the actual machine. I do too, usually, unless I can’t physically distance. I think it is reasonably safe. Nothing is completely safe.
I did start going back. My gym is in a large racquet sports club, and they’ve converted a couple of indoor tennis courts into an expanded gym area - it’s very airy (as the courts have a very high roof), the equipment is spaced well part, there’s a cleaner going around constantly spraying and wiping down equipment (as well as the gym users) and it’s very quiet - I go early and often see only 2-3 other people in the gym area. It felt very safe.
We’re going back into lockdown from Thursday, so it’s shutting down again.
They have been “open” for awhile in my area but the limited hours and facilities make them completely useless to me and most of my acquaintances. I’m happy that I have access to parks, trails, and basic strength equipment in my house and that I’m not one of those people who used COVID as an excuse to be lazy and complain about gyms being closed.
Gyms re-opened today in Vic.Australia. Floorspace/number limits in gyms, and a bunch of fairly arbitrary rules about mask wearing,
The mask rules are based on the idea that you have to wear a mask when you’re not doing anything, but if you’re actually breathing heavily, fast and deep, then you don’t have to wear a mask, except the people who made the rules don’t actually know much about gym exercise.
Fortunately, the only reason they’re opening the gyms is that COVID is gone save for the politics, so counter-productive masking regulations don’t matter anyway.
Our Family Rec Center is still open with no cases as far as I’m aware. You’re able to exercise without masks. Everyone takes their own spray bottle and towel to wipe down machines. Showers are closed. Masks when you’re not working out. Class sizes are minimal. Lap pool is open but if you want to take your kids to the activity pool you have to make an appointment (so no families intermingling at the pool).
I’ve been going to tai chi class twice a week. Trying to wear my mask as much as I can since it’s not that strenuous. The whole scene makes me nervous but I’m addicted to tai chi.