USA TODAY International Edition
Going to the gym will look different in 2021
WESTCHESTER, N. Y. – In a typical year, joining a gym often tops the list of new year’s resolutions as people seek to get in shape and live a healthier lifestyle.
2021 is not a typical year.
The COVID- 19 pandemic is still underway, and although vaccines are being administered around the world, restrictions are still in place for many establishments, including gyms and fitness centers.
Gyms across the country were closed in March due to the COVID- 19 pandemic. In New York, they were allowed to reopen in late August, with some tough restrictions: gyms could only operate at one- third capacity and required that patrons and staff wear masks and social distance. Some upgraded ventilation systems and closed communal shower areas.
Others, such as Lifeplex Health Club in Rockland closed, citing the COVID- 19 pandemic as the reason for its demise.
Where does that leave people who want to work out in 2021?
Gym owners have expressed that it’s safe to return to the gym, with their upped cleaning regimens and new air ventilation systems.
While some people are cautiously heading back to those gyms that have reopened, others have found new ways to exercise, from app- based programs to Facebook groups to simply walking, hiking, or engaging in other outdoor pursuits. The biggest change may be that those looking to work out have discovered they can do it anytime and anywhere.
“I think that’s the biggest change,” said Adrian Killion, a five- time a week gym goer who now does on- demand classes at home with Les Milles. “I can do whatever class I want, when I want.”
That’s in line with a recent survey by the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health & Fitness Journal, which reports the No. 1 fitness trend for 2021 will be online training.
When the quarantine began, Stephanie Carnes started using the OpenFit app, which she called a good alternative to the gym; it includes a supportive Facebook group. Carnes is committing to complete an OpenFit challenge – a streak of consecutive workouts – to stay engaged.
Her New Year’s resolution is to continue to have a healthy relationship with exercise and to do the type of exercise that she feels is fun and engaging as opposed to an obligation.
“During the pandemic, my fitness classes have become treasured ‘ me time’, as a doctoral student and working mother,” said Carnes. “It feels like a special indulgence in my day, particularly because I’m doing something I really enjoy. Also, I’m focusing on the mind- body connection of exercise for improved mental health during these strange times.”
Naomi Brooks canceled her relatively new gym membership after freezing it for a few months during the pandemic. “I am in the more fragile group and am taking extra precautions to stay safe,” said Brooks.
She made a New Year’s resolution to increase how many steps she takes each day, using the iPhone Health app to track her mileage.
“I also do a short set of exercises two to three times a week and keep looking for variations of them on Instagram to alleviate boredom with the same ones,” said Brooks.
Tiffany Schlurensauer started athome workouts with Beachbody back in May, just after the pandemic started.
“My programs include nutrition plans and accountability groups, which was the missing puzzle for me,” said Schlurensauer, who lost 30 pounds in six months. “Not having to leave the house, I can do it on my time and don’t have to worry about day care for the kids.”
Her resolution for 2021? “Definitely to continue working out at home,” said the Salt Point resident. “With the kids being home from school, it was harder for me to make the time, and then the thought of working out with a mask just completely deterred me.”
Some are happy to be back
Janna Whearty was happy to be back at Gold’s Gym in Poughkeepsie once it reopened. She had been going six days a week since completing the Heart Association’s BetterU program in 2018.
“The routine of going is critical for me, and so the change in how I exercised during the shutdown was tough,” she said.
Whearty tried to work out virtually but didn’t have the same results.
“I need someone pushing me or I don’t work hard enough,” she said. “Going back to the gym was something I was anxious to do but anxious in a good way. The trainers and other people who you see there ( in the gym) every day are a community and I missed that.”
Kim Kenyon, the owner of Gold’s Gym in Poughkeepsie, New York, understands that people may be anxious about returning to a fitness center setting while COVID- 19 cases are still spiking but says that it’s OK to come back.
“According to New York State, we’re very low on the list of possible places of exposure, with only 0.06% of cases occurring in gyms,” she said.
A graphic shared by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Dec. 11, attests to that number, indicating that gyms accounted for 0.06% of COVID- 19 exposure from September to November where contact tracers were able to determine the exposure’s source. That is compared with the 73.54% which were linked to household social gatherings.
“We’ve been readjusting our clubs for months now with plenty of new safety measures in place to keep everyone feeling comfortable and on track,” Kenyon said. “We’re balancing out as much equipment as possible to give everyone the fitness experience they deserve with as much space as possible to ensure maximum comfort for all members and staff.”
If you are heading to any gym for the first time since the quarantine started, Kenyon suggests that you’re properly masked, haven’t had any COVID- 19 symptoms, and are ready and willing.
“We have countless members here who’ve reported that the hardest part is just stepping back in the club - the rest is like riding a bike.”
Social aspect of working out
Some studios are now available via livestream, so you can have the in- person benefits of a gym from home.
Susannah Powell teaches yoga and functional strength classes via livestream since closing her Hudson River Yoga studio a few months ago.
“We have regular and accessible yoga classes, but also functional strength where students can progressively build strength by adding load with resistance bands and weights,” she said. “This incorporates strength, balance and mobility.”
Hudson River Yoga offers fundamental classes so if you are new to yoga and exercising, it’s a great starting point that you can do in your living room.
“Start with the fundamental classes that will give you all the foundations you need to join any yoga class,” she explained. “With the strength classes you will learn how to progressively add load as your strength builds, so basically you start where you are and progressively get stronger and improve balance and mobility.”
All Sport Health and Fitness in Fishkill wants new members to feel comfortable and safe when they enter so the new procedures they implemented because of COVID- 19 will remain relatively the same in 2021.
“When a new member comes in, they all come in for a different reason,” Sean Kammerer, general manager of All Sport, said. “Some want to lose weight, maintain mental balance, or work with a personal trainer. We’re welcoming new members to stay active, stay physical, and stay positive.”
The gym’s director of operations, Megan Wiley, added it’s not just about getting into shape.
“People are willing to be socially distant and socialize while at the gym,” Wiley said. “We have some ladies who this is their second home. As important as it is to run on a treadmill, it’s important for people to have that social aspect as well.”