Fitness centers taking extra precautions to protect members from coronavirus

Health experts say that they do not believe that the coronavirus is transmitted through sweat. But that is not stopping local gyms and fitness centers from doing their best to prevent the spread of the illness.

News 12 Staff

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Mar 7, 2020, 12:04 AM

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Updated 1,603 days ago

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Health experts say that they do not believe that the coronavirus is transmitted through sweat. But that is not stopping local gyms and fitness centers from doing their best to prevent the spread of the illness.

“With or without the virus going around, the gym can be a place that’s easy to collect germs,” says F45 Training studio manager Max Torres.

F45 Training in Bloomfield features high-intensity circuit-style training. Its members often share sweaty equipment in a small space. It is why the crew says that they always take cleaning seriously.

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“We do have a maintenance person every day. They do come here every single day to make sure everything is clean and the equipment is wiped down,” Torres says.

But with concern over coronavirus, many gyms around New Jersey are upping their efforts to stay clean.

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“In between each of the eight sessions that we offer daily, all our trainers and staff are on the floor cleaning the equipment down, spraying, wiping, mopping,” she says.

A lot of gyms are also making it easier for members to keep their own space clean, with actions like leaving extra disinfectant wipes and sprays on the floor so that members have easy access.

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“We do have stations set up. We make them very reachable,” says F45 coach Shane Timberlake. “Each of these is maybe 4-5 feet to a station where you can get to a Lysol wipe.”

The F45 crew says that members are also doing their part by holding off on high fives, washing their hands often and staying home if they are feeling sick.

“Be aware of everybody else. It’s a team thing,” Timberlake says.

There were at least three “presumptive positive” cases of coronavirus COVID-19 in New Jersey, as of Friday evening.

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