(SPOT.ph) Gyms can once again reopen in places under a GCQ or MGCQ starting September 1—with new rules in place courtesy of the Department of Trade and Industry's Memorandum Circular 20-44. If you have been missing the experience, or just been looking for the motivation to get in on the exercise endorphins, then we list down a couple of ways going to the gym is set to change amid the pandemic. From government guidelines to what you can do to keep safe, here's how you can prep yourself for the next gym session.
Also read:
10 Free Apps to Help Even Certified Couch Potatoes Get Active
It's Time to Say Goodbye to the Office as You Know It
10 Ways Traditional Shopping Will Change After the Pandemic
10 Ways Traveling Will Change After the Pandemic
No pain, no gain! Here are ways gym-goers will have to adjust amid the pandemic:
Time to say goodbye to gym buddies
Sorry to break the news, Zumba titas, but the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has placed a ban on workouts involving more than one person. "Only individual workouts shall be allowed," states the memo, although there are some excemptions as per Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez. One-on-one sessions between a coach and client, as well as a "group of people not exceeding five but residing in the same address or same household," will be allowed, Lopez was quoted as saying by PNA.
Locker room habits will have to change
Apart from saying goodbye to your gym buddies, you may have to change up your post-workout habits as well. We know there are some folks who take going to the gym as a time to catch up with friends and chill in the locker room after a tiring session, but proprietors are now expected to properly sanitize the place after every use so loitering is now a definite no. And don't forget the two-meter distancing rule!
Contact tracing will be part of the routine
Aside from the usual temperature checks done at practically every establishment, gyms will also be required to conduct contact tracing. This means you will either have to fill up a form every time you enter or register through contact tracing apps StaySafe.ph or SafePass.
No more relying on random surges of motivation
It will be up to your local mayor to decide how many people will be allowed in a gym at any given time. To help enforce the limit, the practice of booking appointments are being pushed by DTI—so you can probably say goodbye to that random desire to hit the gym in the middle of the night. Best to call ahead and set a schedule for your sessions!
Masks are now your best friend
Protective face masks are undoubtedly part of your everyday outfit now, and that definitely won't change when you hit the gym. According to the memo, you can only take the mask off "when performing individual workouts," so long as the gym has proper ventilation and a strict two-meter distance between occupants is observed. Gyms are also expected to have an assigned mask checker to ensure everyone follows the rule.
Gym outfits have a new permanent accessory: gloves
Another way your workout clothes will change is with the added requirement of gloves. DTI chief Lopez stated that training gloves are mandatory for all gym-goers and must be worn throughout the session. This will ideally minimize the risk of transmission through shared gym equipment; just be sure to wash your training gloves regularly!
Wiping equipment down will have to be second nature
And speaking of equipment, we know wiping them down before using them is already something you probably do (really, no one wants to touch someone else's sweat) but it's definitely worth reiterating. You could bring a separate towel and tons of alcohol specifically for this purpose if your gym doesn't provide them. The DTI memo also states that all equipment, including lockers, chairs, bathrooms, should be properly sanitized after every use.
Gyms will opt out of air-conditioning
If you're used to your gym keeping things icy while working out, then you'd best prepare. While air-conditioning isn't being banned by the DTI, gyms are expected to "enhance their exhaust system [and] ensure better airflow inside confined spaces." Fresh, open air is arguably set to be the new norm. Otherwise, gyms could also put in "high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filtration systems," states the memo.
No more meet-cutes
Meeting new people IRL has taken on a new level of difficulty since the quarantine began, and it looks that will (unfortunately) stay the same. Gyms definitely won't be a social space anymore. If you're an introvert and this isn't a problem, you can also opt for working out in sports facilities for non-contact sports like jogging, swimming, biking, golf, and the like.
Exercising at home may be the way to go
If you're not quite ready to head back to the gym or any other facility just yet, you can always get your workout done at home! Indoor exercises are arguably becoming more popular lately. There are no-equipment options you can try out or beginner-level ones you can do while still in bed, too.
Main image from Unsplash / Risen Wang
Hey, Spotters! Check us out on Viber to join our Community and subscribe to our Chatbot.