Gyms to Reopen 2021???

Macy0161

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Tl;dr I don't think they will be in a position to allow reopening of some elements based primarily on the vaccination status of the country if the vaccination rollout stutters further but the other important metrics are in a decent place.

I think if numbers start holding at around current rates with the lifting, particularly hospital numbers, there'll be massive pressure to continue opening up. I'm more interested in outside training myself, so probably a bit more optimistic.

Hairdressers/ Barbers/ Personal Services have a different argument though, given the black market (both in relation to Covid but also the money side).

FlubberJones

All I can say is the sooner the better, the government seem to be clutching on straws to continue the lockdown and the "variant" comment is getting tedious.

My gym is 500mtrs away and I'm tired to see it locked up while the last bit of muscle I have wastes away due to the combination of resistance bands, bodyweight exercise and HIIT sessions.

new2tri19

I think exercise should of been prioritized more, fitness helps build the immune system. I don't hear enough talk of we have to get people back training for health reasons.
I can see the gym from the pool I train in and it looked very good in terms of people wiping down equipment etc , the gym did a really good job. We need to be honest as well with people and not sugar coat it , obesity is a major risk factor for covid and also brutal for your health , not to mention mental health having gym closed for so long is not good, it was necessary at some point but it lacks urgency to get them back open.

carrollsno1

Really missing it now to be fair, had made great progress and built fair strength last year and finally overhauled the diet at the end of last year start of this year. Finally got back up to swimming a mile/day consecutively for a few days below 50 minutes non stop and then the pools shut. All ive gotten excercise wise since January were walks at tbe weekend if i was lucky which ive only really gotten a good distance in the last few weekends as well as a few home workouts in January but the buzz soon wore off on them. It feels as if everything i did last year to improve myself ive just ended up hitting a wall with everything i did due to the lockdown.
Im only in my twenties but ive noticed a lot of lads in work in there forties and fifties after ballooning in the last year also its not that they were going hell for leather in the gym but moreso the little bit they did do in the pool after work was doing them some good compared to nothing at sll now.
Gonns be a long time fixing the problems closing the gyms caused now i reckon.

Alf Veedersane

new2tri19 wrote: »

I think exercise should of been prioritized more, fitness helps build the immune system. I don't hear enough talk of we have to get people back training for health reasons.
I can see the gym from the pool I train in and it looked very good in terms of people wiping down equipment etc , the gym did a really good job. We need to be honest as well with people and not sugar coat it , obesity is a major risk factor for covid and also brutal for your health , not to mention mental health having gym closed for so long is not good, it was necessary at some point but it lacks urgency to get them back open.

Tackling obesity has been a problem for a long time. If you're unhealthy and you escape covid, you probably won't change your ways.

I don't think the gyms being closed are necessarily going to add to it hugely. I'd love to think there would be a spike in interest in getting healthier but I just can't see it happening.

If there was, it wouldn't necessarily be gyms that are the infrastructure that is needed.

But I would love it if health was prioritised more by people and people with the wherewithal to help

iguana

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

I don't think the gyms being closed are necessarily going to add to it hugely. I'd love to think there would be a spike in interest in getting healthier but I just can't see it happening.

If there was, it wouldn't necessarily be gyms that are the infrastructure that is needed.

But I would love it if health was prioritised more by people and people with the wherewithal to help

This is off-topic to the discussion of gyms reopening, but that won't happen until there is a much, much more brutal honesty about the negative impact of carrying too much weight/or even being skinny-fat. A much, much more empowering message sent out about how very much about your own body actually is in your own control. A complete overhaul of the dietary advice that so many countries give on a state level, such as the food pyramid. For that advice to somehow not be influenced by food manufacturing lobbies. For attention to be paid to the differences in needs of the sexes, rather than an assumption that women are smaller men. And advice to be adapted based on ethnic background, ie, depending on if a person has a background that has lactase tolerance or not, rather than blanket statements about a food group that may not apply to each population.

surveybeacon

I hope it will open soon/

yourdeadwright

Its going to be some crack on the first chest session when you go to pick up that weight you used to warm up with .

Really looking forward to getting back into the swing of things its just in time too because personally I hate doing cardio in the summer to many people can see the struggle , Much prefer doing my runs on dark nights or mornings when you feel like its you and the pain out there,

Alf Veedersane

yourdeadwright wrote: »

Its going to be some crack on the first chest session when you go to pick up that weight you used to warm up with

Squats for me.


Bench should be ok-ish.

billyhead

I reckon the Doms will last a fortnight after the 1st session back.

Patsy167

billyhead wrote: »

I reckon the Doms will last a fortnight after the 1st session back.

Plenty people will be googling this after the first week back....

Q: Can I still attend a physio appointment under level 3, level 4, and even level 5 restrictions or lockdown?

A: Yes, Physiotherapy clinic is open and will remain open under all levels of Covid restrictions, as an essential health service provider.

billyhead

The key will be easing yourself back into a routine and building the strength back up. You can guarantee that some members will injure to themselves by lifting to heavy at the start not realising the loss of strength since lockdown began. There will be lots of people walking around like John Wayne in his Western movies.

rpurfield

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Tackling obesity has been a problem for a long time. If you're unhealthy and you escape covid, you probably won't change your ways.

I don't think the gyms being closed are necessarily going to add to it hugely. I'd love to think there would be a spike in interest in getting healthier but I just can't see it happening.

If there was, it wouldn't necessarily be gyms that are the infrastructure that is needed.

But I would love it if health was prioritised more by people and people with the wherewithal to help

I dunno I know a good few people who have got more active the last year, as much to kill time as anything. You'd hope people would maintain good habits when things open up a bit again. I suppose it may be a mixed bag like a lot of things though

Balmed Out

The Davestator wrote: »

There's nothing more dangerous about saunas or steam rooms, the issue was space. Very expensive to run either and only 1 or maybe 2 people to be able to use it and SD. Some places kept their open while other places used it as a cost-saving excuse.

Asked my gyms manager about them, they don't have a lot of ventilation and with the temperature are a hotbed for bacterial growth. Impossible to have staff go in and wipe down between each use as their clothes would be covered in sweat afterwards and the advice from the governing body was to shut them.

The Davestator

Balmed Out wrote: »

Asked my gyms manager about them, they don't have a lot of ventilation and with the temperature are a hotbed for bacterial growth. Impossible to have staff go in and wipe down between each use as their clothes would be covered in sweat afterwards and the advice from the governing body was to shut them.

Ireland Active gave that advice to all gyms back in March 2020 and it hasn't been updated since. It was probably the right advice at the time, but more is known and heat is not a contributory factor. Come's down to SD which is one reason why West Wood kept their open as its massive.

rondog

Leo saying on RTE saying the Govt will consider returning to for Level 3 restrictions in May.

PLeeeeease let Gyms open in early May.

Macy0161

rondog wrote: »

Leo saying on RTE saying the Govt will consider returning to for Level 3 restrictions in May.

PLeeeeease let Gyms open in early May.

I think he specifically said it won't be early May, I thought? It'll be adult training, outside, first for at least two weeks.

FlubberJones

Yeh was reading the early May thing, never know they may just go for it... but if not I would 100% expect an opein gym in May sometime

JTMan

Gavan Reilly has confirmed that personal services will reopen in Early May.

"Personal services" seems to include gyms. Gyms opened at the same time as hairdressers in December.

i.e. Level 3 in Early May.

Anyone any idea of the date? I wonder if it will be after the May bank holiday?

https://twitter.com/gavreilly/status/1382673304918622215

Red Silurian

JTMan wrote: »

Gavan Reilly has confirmed that personal services will reopen in Early May.

"Personal services" seems to include gyms. Gyms opened at the same time as hairdressers in December.

i.e. Level 3 in Early May.

Anyone any idea of the date? I wonder if it will be after the May bank holiday?

https://twitter.com/gavreilly/status/1382673304918622215

It will definitely be after the back holiday if this govt is anything to go by

Mitch Connor

JTMan wrote: »

Gavan Reilly has confirmed that personal services will reopen in Early May.

"Personal services" seems to include gyms. Gyms opened at the same time as hairdressers in December.

i.e. Level 3 in Early May.

Anyone any idea of the date? I wonder if it will be after the May bank holiday?

https://twitter.com/gavreilly/status/1382673304918622215

to be clear - he does not confirm that.

He says that is the expectation.

We don't know if that expectation will be carried through in early may or pushed out further due to 'an abundance of caution'.

I also wouldn't be surprised if gyms are no longer considered personal services and are pushed back towards Cinema/Hospitality type considerations.

rondog

Mitch Connor wrote: »

to be clear - he does not confirm that.

He says that is the expectation.

We don't know if that expectation will be carried through in early may or pushed out further due to 'an abundance of caution'.

I also wouldn't be surprised if gyms are no longer considered personal services and are pushed back towards Cinema/Hospitality type considerations.

If they are pushed back with Cinema/Hospitality then we woudl be looking at later in the summer which i think is ridiculous considering the physical and mental benefits.A report came out the other day stating people that were less physically active suffered worse effects from COVID.

We can debate where you get your activity but recent reports showing increases in obesity since gyms closed may have a link.

Alf Veedersane

rondog wrote: »

If they are pushed back with Cinema/Hospitality then we woudl be looking at later in the summer which i think is ridiculous considering the physical and mental benefits.A report came out the other day stating people that were less physically active suffered worse effects from COVID.

We can debate where you get your activity but recent reports showing increases in obesity since gyms closed may have a link.

I've seen an increase in weight over the course of the pandemic (American research) but not linked to access to gyms, per se. But there has also been a study saying a significant number of Americans wouldn't be going back to the gym as they had found alternatives that were cheaper/more convenient.

While I can't wait for them to reopen, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if their reopening was aligned with cinema/hospitality on the basis of number of people congregating in a space that you don't have with personal services. Philip Nolan referred to gyms in the same breath as bars and restaurants last September so again, I wouldn't be surprised.

They are being hugely risk averse and in the next 2 months they just see a risk of negatives of increased transmission rather than physical/mental benefits from gyms.

That said, I'm still trying to be hopeful gyms reopen in May. I just think it might be 50/50 that it's May or June

JTMan

I think we need to see gyms reopening as been 2 dates.

It seems like it will be Early May for individual exercise.

I would guess July for group activities, classes etc.

jrosen

I cant see anything indoor happening in early may. I would be really surprised.

My guess, gyms being allowed open if they can offer some outdoor space to workout/group sessions in mid may with indoor individual by June 1st and hopefully a back to normal return july including all classes.

I am juts hopeful my gym opens back at all. Its not the biggest gym and they seem to be busier for their classes than anything else. I know last time round they had very few people return.

My friend works in GYM plus and she said they had hundreds of people cancel their memberships.

Macy0161

I still find it hard to believe they'll go from not allowing outside training in groups to the gyms in the same easing. There's another week before the children that are in school together are allowed train together in an evening.

Just on memberships, I think all club memberships are down at the moment, including outdoor based ones. No need/ point of joining if you can't train in a group.

Patsy167

JTMan wrote: »

I think we need to see gyms reopening as been 2 dates.

It seems like it will be Early May for individual exercise.

I would guess July for group activities, classes etc.

I would be shocked if it was as late as July, there would be uproar.

JTMan

Patsy167 wrote: »

I would be shocked if it was as late as July, there would be uproar.

I hope you are right. I am only predicting July for classes. I fully expect May for individual exercise/swims in gyms.

JTMan

Another reason to open gyms ...

https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1382725429291782149

Szero

All roads seem to be pointing towards May but I agree that it is unlikely to be early May.

Leo has said there will be weekly easing in May.

My bet is third week in May.

Szero

30 April for gyms in Northern Ireland. 1 week after hairdressers up there.

Very tempted to head up north!!

https://twitter.com/DarrenGBNews/status/1382725776529891331

Sheep Shagger

Patsy167 wrote: »

I would be shocked if it was as late as July, there would be uproar.

By who though?

In terms of lobbyists I would have thought the retail and hospitality sector were louder than gyms etc and look at how those sectors have ben treated.

Re gym membership, I've forgotten how much time i'm owed on mine from pausing it the reopening the closing.

Underground

4th May I think is the first week with restrictions eased, whether that sees gyms open or not, I'd be hopeful but doubtful.

That being said, we've a positivity rate of 2.8%, one of the lowest incidence rates in Europe along with one of the longest and most stringent lockdowns.

At the risk of going off topic, the main reason we've had such a long and harsh lockdown is due to the pathetic lack of capacity in the HSE. I'm tired of missing out on the gym while my tax money goes towards funding an appallingly run health service that can't even function as its supposed to (not talking about front line health care workers here, who are terrific). Open the gyms.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

JTMan wrote: »

Another reason to open gyms ...

https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1382725429291782149

Woah mind-blowing.

Part of my job is moving bodies to the morgue... All very unhealthy people in one way or another, a lot of extremely overweight people. (Covid deaths)

JTMan

Mail on Sunday Ireland says that personal services will reopen 17 May (3rd week in May).

- Click and collect and construction at the start of May,
- Then "rest of retail" on 10 May / "second week".
- Then non-essential retail and personal services reopen on 17 May/ "third week".

Hence, looks like around 17 May for gyms, unless it is with "rest of retail" which would be around 10 May.

senordingdong

JTMan wrote: »

Mail on Sunday Ireland says that personal services will reopen 21 May (3rd week in May).

- Click and collect and construction at the start of May,
- Then "rest of retail" on 14 May / "second week".
- Then non-essential retail and personal services reopen on 21 May/ "third week".

Hence, looks like around 21 May for gyms, unless it is with "rest of retail" which would be around 14 May.

Both of those days are Fridays.
But 14th and 21st June are both Mondays.

JTMan

senordingdong wrote: »

Both of those days are Fridays.
But 14th and 21st June are both Mondays.

Sorry, you are right, I should have said 17 May rather than 21 May.

senordingdong

JTMan wrote: »

Sorry, you are right, I should have said 17 May rather than 21 May.

I'll take that!!!

is_that_so

JTMan wrote: »

Another reason to open gyms ...

https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1382725429291782149

Good to encourage exercise but there are still far too many incomplete studies of the SARS-COV-2 pathogenesis. Too much exercise can weaken your immune system, even if it is only temporary!

Cill94

is_that_so wrote: »

Good to encourage exercise but there are still far too many incomplete studies of the SARS-COV-2 pathogenesis. Too much exercise can weaken your immune system, even if it is only temporary!

Ah c'mon now..serious nitpicking here. The big picture is that fitter people have significantly reduced risk of serious health issues and death.

is_that_so

Cill94 wrote: »

Ah c'mon now..serious nitpicking here. The big picture is that fitter people have significantly reduced risk of serious health issues and death.

And yet true! Exercise is good but I have more of an issue with the conveyor belt of studies claiming they have answers when we are still a long way off them.

Cill94

is_that_so wrote: »

And yet true! Exercise is good but I have more of an issue with the conveyor belt of studies claiming they have answers when we are still a long way off them.

It’s true in the sense that in a small window after exercise, immunity is reduced. Or if you are overtrained, which doesn’t apply to just about anyone but serious athletes.

That’s like saying that strength training makes you weaker because immediately after a session your muscles are fatigued and can’t lift as much.

To assume exercise adaptations would be protective for essentially all other major diseases but not Covid just because it hasn’t been illustrated with a study, well, it’s just not likely to be the case. Death rates have been 10x higher in the most obese nations.

Sheep Shagger

On a semi related note, interview with the CEO of Westwood from todays business Post.

Behind a paywall so here's a photo of the paper, you'll need to magnify on your device to read.

silverharp

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

On a semi related note, interview with the CEO of Westwood from todays business Post.

Behind a paywall so here's a photo of the paper, you'll need to magnify on your device to read.

you tease :pac: , 3 or 4 summary points?

is_that_so

Cill94 wrote: »

It’s true in the sense that in a small window after exercise, immunity is reduced. Or if you are overtrained, which doesn’t apply to just about anyone but serious athletes.

That’s like saying that strength training makes you weaker because immediately after a session your muscles are fatigued and can’t lift as much.

To assume exercise adaptations would be protective for essentially all other major diseases but not Covid just because it hasn’t been illustrated with a study, well, it’s just not likely to be the case. Death rates have been 10x higher in the most obese nations.

You have missed the point here twice, although at least we agree on the risk. My point is to do with the declarative nature of the study. It offers no insight on why COVID does what it does and is as useful as saying standing in the sun for 2 hours a day will protect you from COVID. It's one of thousands of such puff papers that do not advance our knowledge in any way but is is media friendly and encouraging people to exercise more is a good thing.

Szero

I am fully vaccinated.

I am going to get the train up to Belfast and go for a swim on 30 April.

Can anyone recommend a public pool in Belfast?

Thanks.

Sheep Shagger

Szero wrote: »

I am fully vaccinated.

I am going to get the train up to Belfast and go for a swim on 30 April.

Can anyone recommend a public pool in Belfast?

Thanks.

Why not swim in the sea down here instead (for free) if it's just the one swim. €50 or whatever it is for the train seems a lot for one swim.

Black Sheep

Just read that article with Alan Leach (Westwood).

Two things jumped out at me-

1. They are building covered outdoor training areas that sound like they will be fully fitted out. This makes complete sense, I spoke about a place in Clontarf that is an outdoor covered PT set-up. Can see the utility of this for the next few years.

2. He's obviously more worried than he lets on about digital / streaming training and how it might eat into his market share. I think he's wrong though, in thinking that it's just about this new technology. It's home training and shed gyms in general that he should be concerned about. At the beginning of 2020 I was an outlier in spending quite a bit on kitting out a shed gym. At this stage, I have lost count of the people I know who have spent money on home training set-ups that are going to be semi permanent. And I still know guys who are about to take the plunge. We are going to end up with more of a US style shed gym (garage gym, as they call it) culture. Of course it will only be a tiny share of the fitness market, probably less than 5%. But if you look at craft beer and independent whisky, what you see is that the big boys still hate to see it, because that little share can be grown.

DylanJM

Training at home just doesn't compare for me. The social aspect of the gym is the part I miss most. I know lots of people just see the gym as a place to train but I much prefer social gyms where there are people who have the same passion for training as I do. Training with friends is a whole lot more fun. It's also much harder to push yourself when training alone I think. Atmosphere, competition and support are great motivators.

Black Sheep

There are definitely personality types training at home is not going to suit. But obviously it's as easy to list the many advantages of it - access at any time, privacy etc - as there are the downsides. It's really going to come down to personal preference.

My shed gym is big enough for two. When things open up it's likely I would have pals over to train, really looking forward to that.