That “killer cardio” class at the gym might take on a new meaning for people worried about the new coronavirus.
Exercise is a prescription for good health, but is it wise to visit a health club as the outbreak grows?
When it comes to healthy younger people who have no symptoms and live in areas where there’s no widespread disease, it’s safe to go to the gym, said Dr. Michael Ison, an infectious disease physician at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago.
“But they have to use extra care,” Ison told TODAY.
“You have lots of people coming and using shared equipment. When you work out, you often are rubbing your face and nose to get the sweat off and then touching the handlebars — that would be a great way for someone to potentially share the virus.”
Whether it’s safe to go to the gym may change over time as more cases emerge. It’s also important to follow local guidance since the outbreak is worse in some areas than others.
People who are at-risk for complications from COVID-19 — older adults over 60 and patients with underlying medical conditions — should minimize their exposures to the public, which would include skipping the gym, Ison noted. His father, who is in his 80s, has stopped going to his health club to protect himself.
For those who want to keep the maximum social distance, the safest way to exercise may be a home gym.
People who do decide to go to a health club should be very diligent about washing their hands both before and after they work out, Ison noted.
Here’s more advice for healthy young people in areas without a widespread outbreak.
For the full story, visit Today.com/Health.
