New Jersey gyms will reopen on Tuesday, September 1, announced Governor Phil Murphy. They’ll be limited to 25% capacity and face masks must be worn by all staff and members at all times.
“Gyms are among the most challenging of indoor environments, as noted by multiple epidemiologists and experts,” said Murphy. “I know this has been a long time coming and I thank the many…responsible gym owners who have done the right things and worked with us over the past several months.”
So what will gyms look like when they reopen next week? Here’s what you can expect:
- Capacity will be limited to 25% at any single time.
- Fitness classes can only permit one member per every 200 square feet of space.
- All gym members, staff, and personal trainers must wear masks at all times.
- Logs of all gym members and staff must be maintained for contact tracers.
- Equipment/machines must be spaced to allow a minimum of six feet of distance.
- Machines must be frequently cleaned and disinfected.
- Showers will remain closed.
Gyms have been closed since March to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Last month, gym owners were allowed to reopen for one-on-one training, but they’ve otherwise been severely restricted throughout the state.
What are the risks of heading back to the gym?
Studies show that intense physical exercise in densely populated facilities could increase your chances of catching COVID-19. The CDC has released a study from South Korea that shows 112 people were infected with COVID-19 after taking dance classes.
“The moist, warm atmosphere in a sports facility coupled with turbulent air flow generated by intense physical exercise can cause more dense transmission of isolated droplets,” says the CDC study.
The study also hypothesizes that lower intensity workouts — such as pilates and yoga — may not cause the same transmission effects as those of intense classes.
In the past few months, Blackhouse Strength & Conditioning, 24 Hour Fitness, and Ironbound Performance are among the Jersey City gyms that have closed.
