Fitness buffs in a bind over virus risk at gyms in Kolkata

KOLKATA: To work out or not: now that gyms and yoga centres in the city have reopened, fitness enthusiasts are caught in a dilemma. While some experts say that people are at a higher risk of contracting the novel coronavirus from heavy breathing and sweat droplets if a Covid patient, even if he or she is asymptomatic, works out in the same closed space, for many, exercising strengthens immunity and helps maintain physical and mental balance.

People have also been worried, given that a middle-aged corporate professional in Mumbai died of heart attack last month shortly after he complained of difficulty in breathing following a jogging session with his mask on. Experts have advised against wearing an N95 mask during running or heavy exercise.
“After four months, when the news of gyms reopening was announced, I was excited. But now, watching the rise in Covid cases, I don’t think it is safe for me to work out in a closed environment, especially as I have an elderly mother at home,” said Mithoon Ghosh, a fitness enthusiast.
Sports medicine experts, too, advised not to take the risk of “sweating out” inside a closed space now. “When a person does heavy workout, he sweats and his rate of breathing and exhalation increases, which is extremely risky, especially in an enclosed environment. I have been advising my patients and patrons not to hit the gym yet and to exercise at home,” said Jibak Mukherjee, a sports medicine expert.
Echoing Mukherjee, ATK-Mohun Bagan physio Abhinandan Chatterjee said, “I am yet to muster the courage to hit a gym and have been advising our players to practise in the safety of their homes with personal equipment under the guidance of personal trainers. The government circular asks people to wear a visor while working out but I doubt its effectiveness as it protects the eyes, while the mouth is exposed,” said Chatterjee.
The central guidelines stated gyms must redesign the floor area to reserve 4sqm for each client and everyone should be six feet apart. Most gym owners said that before reopening on Thursday, they followed the specifications, including regular sanitisation, monitoring of temperature and oxygen saturation level of clients and putting only 10-12 members per slot. But, they said, only 30% members had so far turned up. “We are maintaining all safety measures. We are encouraging members to focus more on breathing, cardio and body weight exercises while abiding by the protocols ,” said Gagan Sachdev of Karma Fitness.
Souvik Banerjee, a premium trainer at Core Gym, said they were not letting in anyone without a visor. “It feels a bit odd to work out in a face shield but perhaps this is the new normal,” said Samrat Adhikari, a model and fitness enthusiast.