Beyond COVID-19: Preparing Fitness Centers for the Next Pandemic

Armstrong, William Jeffrey Dayal Nishu N.; Braun, William A.

The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused governments to institute measures to curb the spread of the virus. Among these were restrictions that affect the daily operations of public gymnasiums, personal training centers, therapy clinics, strength and conditioning facilities, and the like. As the world has seen widespread public health crises with 3 beta-coronaviruses, as well as highly contagious strains of type A influenza (H5N1 and H1N1), in the past 2 decades, operators of fitness facilities are challenged to consider how daily operations will be affected in the wake of COVID-19. This article examines strategies to mitigate the transmission of the virus in fitness facilities, including temperature scanning, physical distancing, masks, hand hygiene, and the disinfection of large spaces and common touch surfaces. Fitness facilities and therapy centers face complex challenges in minimizing the risk of viral transmission due to space limitations and the use of common equipment and spaces by clients. Despite these challenges, the developing science resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has led to insights that should drive policies to help ensure fitness facilities successfully adapt to the risks presented by these infectious agents.