Is Covid-19 A Big Risk At U.s. Gyms? A Recent Study Says No

The debate about what venues and activities are the least likely to offer COVID-19 exposure, and which ones provide the most risk, has been a hot topic since early spring.

IHRSA and MXM just released a simple, yet eye-opening, study that shows gyms don't appear to be contributing to the spread of COVID-19.

The report analyzed data from millions of member check-ins from May 1 to August 6 at nearly 3,000 gyms and fitness facilities across the United States. What they found was a scant 0.0023% of members included tested positive for COVID-19, and there’s no evidence that those few cases originated in health clubs anyway.

One reason for the impressive numbers is that fitness centers who follow strict safety and cleaning protocols seem to be extremely safe. 

Attention to Cleanliness

Strict attention to sanitization and cleanliness is essential to help ensure that facilities pose as little risk as possible. In a somewhat related study, the Life Fitness COVID-19 Exerciser Survey found that clubgoers agree. In that survey, 48% of exercisers listed "sanitation and cleanliness" as the most important protective guidelines in a facility, and 21% listed "safety protocols" as what they're most concerned with.

The Role of Fitness in Health

The IHRSA study also leaned on statistics from the CDC about the positive effect that physical activity has on the body and brain. When in the middle of a public health crisis, these numbers are a stark reminder of how important fitness is to the general wellbeing of the public.

Infographic source: IHRSA and MXM.