Submitted by Alert-Ad4070 t3_11b0sdy in jerseycity
My partner and I have been talking about getting a regular work out routine going. However, my partner is high risk, and so we’d like to find a gym with at least some COVID precautions. It doesn’t have to be like how it was two or so years ago; presence of HEPA filters is enough. Does anyone know of any spaces/have recommendations?
Ignore folks giving you grief OP. They have some bad takes without knowing your situation, and it’s a reasonable request you have around minimizing risk.
I know people with medical conditions still having a tough time. It’s the high respiratory illness rate overall going on this winter among other things. It’s a bit sad, but asking about COVID seems to trigger people; if you asked the same question but said your partner was going through Chemo and wanted to minimize risks I wonder if people would be so ‘lol get over it’. Not everyone is a fit, healthy 20-30 something with low risks
It’s weird, if I said “hey I’m trying not to get gonorrhea so I wear condoms” I don’t think anyone would respond “oh but they have a cure for that! But condoms are so inconvenient. But you are reasonably healthy!” Even if some of that were true. But trying to not get something that is 1. Way easier spread that gonorrhea 2. Has more potential side effects than gonorrhea somehow harshest the vibe.
If anyone wants me to stay inside so they don’t have to be reminded of COVID, I’d happily accept thousands of dollars to create my own gym!
HEPA filters are not nearly as effective as condoms lol.
Condoms are close to 100% effective if used correctly but even the best HEPA is not gonna do shit if some sick guy coughs near you.
What you're doing is equivalent to doing oral sex instead of penetrative sex thinking that it will save you from STDs. Sure your risks are lower, but it's still significant.
You can’t live in society without posing a risk to others. We all spread germs and bacteria which cause illness, and in some cases, death. Data has shown being both masked and vaccinated doesn’t stop transmission either, let alone some HEPA filters within a massive gym. Lock yourself away and never interact with humans again if you’re that concerned.
OP knows the only true answer is to workout at home, within the context that their partner has a health issue. We can’t all wear hazmat suits forever to keep the frailest members of society perfectly preserved.
So no, actually, it’s not exactly a reasonable request, because the answer is self-evident. If you’re afraid of the world, workout at home. Unfortunately life isn’t fair.
They’re not afraid of the world, they’re trying for risk mitigation. It’s okay dudes
It seems kinda wild to posit that trying to reduce risk is bad based on amorphous unknown “data”, good luck out there though
You can reduce the most risk by working out from home. You know this. You’re ignoring it
While true, they’re trying risk mitigation not eliminating it completely.
This existed in a less public way pre COVID, if that’s what you’re on about. Do you have no realtives that have gotten organ transplants, had chemo, ect? Risk mitigation is part of their lives around public germs
u/jahooodie thank you for reminding me there are still reasonable and kind people in the world
Can you buy me workout equipment so I can do work outs at home?
No, but that sounds like a great way to keep safe from Covid-19
Well, since I don’t have access to that I’ll be searching for in gym workouts. Thank you though!
If you're immunocompromised, you're vulnerable to many diseases, not just Covid. Source: was immunocompromised for a long time due to medications.
Why does OP only care about Covid protocols? There are many other pathogens that spread via all sorts of means. It's much safer to workout outdoors or at home.
Kettle bells, resistance bands, etc. are cheap and effective for home workouts. Plus it actually keeps you safe instead of giving you the illusion you're safe. Covid spread through my kid's school despite the strictest rules (open windows in winter, full masking).
Do you know that HEPA filters also help filter other respiratory viruses or are you just mad that I am a human who participates in society
Maybe this would work for your needs: https://microgymstudios.com/
If HEPA filters are enough just call the gyms and see who uses them. Not terribly uncommon.
Base claims to have installed HEPA filters since covid
Lol, they don't even clean the floor...
wdym? what have you seen there?
Base is spotless.
Check out the Brunswick Center They have classes and a private gym for rent. https://microgymstudios.com/#book
Berry lane park has an area with outdoor fitness equipment
Berry lane park has
An area with outdoor
Fitness equipment
- spinaroundchinaman
^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^Learn more about me.
^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Maybe try maximum motion fitness on grove. They appear to be a by appointment option. I never see more than one person at a time in the store window.
Meta gym studios in JSQ. You can rent the gym by the hour
I don't think you're even gonna find HEPA filters anywhere. If that's your benchmark, I would do what someone else said earlier and just call up the gyms, but I would be very surprised if you found any doing more than just asking that people wipe down the equipment after using it.
My booster efficiency is starting to wane, so I'm planning on masking up again at the beginning of the month, but it's been made blatantly clear to the public that we're on our own - no one in charge gives a fuck about seriously trying to end this on a more permanent basis other than mitigation for those who aren't at risk.
Base gym
Not sure if any gyms (or any establishments) have Covid protocols anymore. People in general have gotten better with personal space and wiping down equipment. What makes someone high risk? Disclaimer: I may be ignorant but also curious.
Not OP, but I have a good friend with a family member with MS - and they (friend) mask up / take extra precautions. Guessing anyone with an immune condition or taking immunosuppressant meds (or living with someone who is) would still be careful.
High risk = immunocompromised. Could be due to heart disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, age, the list goes on
LOL people have not gotten better with wiping down equipment, they're disgusting. I just went back to the gym for the first time since before covid (masked with a kn95 and trying to distance) and wipe down everything before I use it as well because people are disgusting.
I'm not the OP but I'm high risk because I have an autoimmune disease and also I have a job that gets extremely fucked up if I call out sick or expose anyone else to covid.
I have to agree with you about people being disgusting. Even if there was no concern about COVID, wiping down equipment after using it is a basic courtesy. We recently moved into a building we love, but this is one thing (out of three) that really bothers me: seemingly no one wipes weight machines, or treadmills, after using them. I watch people hop on and off during my daily runs and not once have I seen someone come back to wipe them after finishing. My best guess is that most people think/feel that cleaning the equipment after using it is to be done by the staff. Drives me bananas, but I’m more or less resigned to this happening.
People at Base are pretty good about wiping down their equipment.
Again, just curious. Did your doctor advise you to continue to wear your mask?
People at Heights Fitness are fucking disgusting. Yes. And even if they didn't, there's no harm in wearing one. I also find it very helpful for my allergies.
I use Club Metro on Washington St. I'm usually the only person in the gym wearing a mask. I go during the afternoon (between 12-3, usually) avoiding the rush. It's never crowded (though the dumbbell area is tight, so even a few people fill up the space).
They don't use any mitigation measures that I know of, but it is a large space with high ceilings, so there's that. It's infinitely less crowded than Base Gym. I've never had anybody look at me askance for masking.
It's not a fancy gym; a lot of the equipment has seen better days. But it's got everything you need and the price ($50/month) is fair for this part of town.
Seems like you and your partner already had Covid and have vaccinated at least 3 times based on your post history.
Your hybrid immunity should be very good at this point (this is from well established peer review studies) so you shouldn't worry more about Covid than other respiratory infections.
Not exercising because you couldn't find a "safe" gym may be worse for your health in the long-term.
My apologies for trying to get less COVID to bring home to my immunocompromised partner, I’ll just lick some doorknobs now
Reddit can be dumb. Particularly this subreddit. You are doing the right thing. I wish I knew of a place to suggest.
You know that the only reasonable answer is to work out at home if this is truly a risk. Truly astounding responses here.
Then stay home!
You can't be like "I really can't afford to bring covid home" but wanna go to public gyms/supermarkets/restaurants/work places.
A HEPA filter helps but it's not even close to being as effective as a "condom against gonorrhea" like you said. You will be exposed to plenty of viruses and bacteria (not just Covid) in a gym regardless.
At home videos if you’re going to be like this.
"if you're going to be like this" 🤦
Only correct answer lol
If you take any public transportation during rush hours you're already very exposed. People are already a lot further apart in gyms than in trains.
Let all these cry babies downvote me. People who go to the gym regularly and aren’t afraid to the leave the house are the healthiest people to be around. I went to a gym in Hoboken with no mask all throughout COVID. Never got it.
Ten bucks he gets a stroke in six months
I’ll check back in 6 months more jacked, healthier immune system. Beast moded up in the hamptons.
Perhaps just purchase home workout equipment if merely existing near others poses this much of a hazard
burlybroad t1_j9vt9hp wrote
The problem is there aren’t a lot of gyms in jc and the ones we do have are packed to the brim. I think at this point all you can do is mask up and sanitize before and after using any equipment. Or like the other commenter said try to make the most out of home workouts. Good luck!