3 Things Your Gym Members Are Still Worried About

In large part, gyms across the nation have reopened after coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions. Now, we’re in the stage of trying to get back to normal routines and ways of doing business. But this will take some time, and we may all need to adjust to a new normal. As a gym owner, it’s important to keep in mind that your gym members may still have some concerns about going to the gym. You can work to ease their minds about these three concerns as members return to your gym or think about whether to return.

Will the Gym Really Disinfect Properly?

People can control how well they clean and disinfect their own bodies and homes, but they don’t have control over the public places they visit. This lack of control could steer members clear of your gym if they’re concerned about how well your business is truly disinfecting. The gym may create intensified worry over germs because of the nature of spreading germs through sweating and heavy breathing during exercise.

How to Calm This Concern: Help your members feel good about your safety practices. Achieve this by laying out clear guidelines on cleanliness and strictly following them. When in doubt, follow CDC Covid-19 guidelines for gym employers. Share your practices with your members, share pictures and videos of disinfecting within your gym through social media and email, and let them see in person that your staff is regularly disinfecting while members are at the gym.

Do I Wear a Mask While Exercising?

Members may be questioning how to be safe and follow local Covid-19 recommendations while exercising at the gym. They might wonder whether to wear a mask while exercising and whether it’s physically safe to do so. People who aren’t sure what to do or who don’t want to wear a mask during exercise may decide to skip the gym.

How to Calm This Concern: Remove uncertainty by telling members how to go about wearing masks at the gym. Generally, gyms are coming up with mask guidelines for staff and members to follow (while making sure to follow any applicable government guidelines). AARP notes that most gyms require staff but not members to wear masks in the gym. Gyms may encourage mask-wearing during lighter exercise while allowing people not to wear one during intense exercise, as it may impair breathing. Then, social distancing comes into play to counteract people not wearing masks. Also, NPR experts encourage wearing a mask between exercising, such as when in the bathroom or locker room, or at the front desk.

Will I Be Able to Social Distance?

Your members’ minds may be filled with images of a packed gym with no one wearing a face mask as everyone breathes on each other. This is a legitimate concern of exercising in an enclosed, possibly small, space.

How to Calm This Concern: Follow and promote guidelines for members and staff to maintain six-foot social distancing. Set up machines and adjust classes and training sessions to reflect this guideline. The gym experience may look different than normal, with machines separated and in different positions than normal. Also, look into ways to spread people out into different parts of the gym and to minimize the number of people in each area at a time. Share with your members how your gym is practicing social distancing.

As your gym adjusts to reopening, you can help your members feel better about going to the gym by following careful precautions and showcasing your efforts to your members.