Doctor Says Gyms Can Prevent COVID-19 & Lessen the Impact | IHRSA - ABC Fit Studio
X

Doctor Says Gyms Can Prevent COVID-19 & Lessen the Impact | IHRSA

Doctor Says Gyms Can Prevent COVID-19 & Lessen the Impact | IHRSA

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only half of adults get the exercise they need.

“I believe, as a lot do, that physical inactivity is the major public health problem of our time,” says Sallis.

Sallis is co-director of The Sports Medicine Fellowship Program at Kaiser Permanente in Fontana, CA, clinical professor of family medicine at the University of California Riverside School of Medicine, and chair of Exercise is Medicine Health Advisory Board. It shouldn’t be surprising that exercise is the first form of medicine that Sallis prescribes to his patients—still!

 

“I feel, as a longtime practicing family medicine physician, that [physical activity is] absolutely the most important medicine that I could prescribe to my patients,” he says.

We think so, too—the writing is on the walls. Physical activity can:

  • reduce the chances of developing chronic diseases,
  • lessen the risk of contracting non-communicable or communicable diseases (like coronavirus), and
  • improve immune health.

Not to mention, all the other amazing mental, emotional, and overall health benefits of exercise.

COVID-19 Is a Disease of Inactivity

“COVID-19 has just so vividly exposed our unhealthy lifestyles,” says Sallis. “And it really is people who follow unhealthy lifestyles who are at risk for COVID-19…You go through the list of risks for COVID-19, especially dying of COVID-19 or being severely ill from COVID-19; those are the diseases of inactivity.”

Referring to the CDC, some of the diseases of inactivity that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 include:

  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease),
  • obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher),
  • type 2 diabetes mellitus, and
  • sickle cell disease.

The pandemic has drastically decreased the level of activity among U.S. adults and children. An Evidation survey with more than 185,000 participants reports that between March 1 and April 8, activity levels declined by 48% among adults.


“Whatever it takes to get places where people exercise and can be active to open, we have to do it. It’s an essential part of life.”

Robert Sallis, M.D., Co-director of Sports Medicine Fellowship Program
Kaiser Permanente – Fontana, CA


It’s disheartening—to say the least—that so many people miss the value of exercise. “We’re all sitting in our houses huddled, waiting for a vaccine for COVID-19 instead of going out and being active and exercising, when we know that’s the best vaccine we have right now,” says Sallis.

How do we fix the issue of inactivity during a pandemic?

“We need to get people to take charge of their health. That is the best protection they have against COVID-19,” says Sallis. “This virus is going to be here for a while, we need to figure out how to start living with it, or we’re going to all die related to the avoidance of it.”

Swapping the Narrative: Gyms Are Safe

Lawmakers are incorrectly labeling health and fitness clubs as high-risk businesses to visit during the pandemic. Even with increased cleaning protocols and safety guidelines as well as data and research proving that fitness facilities are not spreading COVID-19, some lawmakers simply will not change their decision. To this point, Sallis says, “They’re not listening to the evidence.”

He added, “We’re allowing people to go on airplanes, we’re allowing people to go into Costco, we’re allowing them to go into their doctor’s offices, [and] we’re taking precautions with [all these businesses]. Why can’t we do the same for gyms, which I consider to be really essential to many people?”

Health clubs have been putting in the work to make their facilities more safe—and cleaner—for members, staff, and the community. It’s truly up to the collective fitness industry to get the message out that these facilities are:

  • safe and clean,
  • able to help with contact tracing, and
  • essential to overall health and fighting off the virus.

“Prevention and treatment [are] just essential…the risk factors for COVID-19 are all improved by doing regular exercise,” says Sallis.

MXM check-in data proves just how safe and valuable clubs are. As of August 7, the data, compiled from 2,877 health and fitness locations with over 49 million member check-ins, shows an occurrence rate of just 0.002% or a 42,731:1 visit-to-virus ratio. Out of the 49 million check-ins, only 1,155 people have entered these locations and tested positive for coronavirus.

 

Sallis says, “Virtually everyone who died from COVID-19 has some chronic diseases, diseases related to physical inactivity, and why we would not consider [gyms as] essential to try to prevent cases and lessen the impact of them, it doesn’t make sense to me.”

If you’re contemplating visiting a gym, Sallis advises the following:

  • Keep six feet or more of space between others when exercising outdoors.
  • Wear a mask and distance yourself when in the weight room or resistance training.
  • Wipe down all equipment after use.
  • Weigh your own risk.

“It’s a mistake to discount the importance of a gym to some people’s health,” he says. “Those who are most at-risk of utilizing [gyms] have the most to gain from it…Whatever it takes to get places where people exercise and can be active to open, we have to do it. It’s an essential part of life.”

For information on how health clubs can operate more efficiently during and after a pandemic, check out IHRSA’s Key Considerations and Risk Assessments Tools.

Reference: {https://www.ihrsa.org/improve-your-club/doctor-says-gyms-can-prevent-covid-19-lessen-the-impact}


Looking to try something new and to belong to something spectacular? We have just what you need! Our space, instructors, and clientele are second to none! Come witness the benefits of pilates and yoga and watch your body (and your confidence!) transform!

Visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/theabcfitstudio or give us a call at 949.305.3310 to get started!

OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST...

I joined ABC looking for a yoga studio but found pilates was more of my speed. This is not just a place to exercise but an environment where friends come together to get fit, healthy, and happy. I love the instructors who take good care of everyone. I always get the best encouragement possible! I also like the small class sizes for anything from yoga and pilates to Zumba and TRX. Thanks, ABC Fit Studio, for making being healthy fun!
— Candice D.
When my wife convinced me to try ABC Fit, little did I know it would become an almost daily fixture in my life. I enjoy multiple classes weekly and each is very special in approach to strength, balance, core, flexibility, and overall fitness. Feeling better and stronger physically leads to more enjoyment in all activities. I feel stronger and fitter and look forward to continuing to rely on ABC Fit as an integral part of my life.
— John T.
I’ve been doing pilates for almost 3 years now, and I feel stronger and have improved functionally in my daily activities
I was recommended by my physical therapist when I was a patient with many joint problems. My PT thought Pilates would help me, and it did!
I feel stronger, and have a better tone, range of motion, and a stronger core. I can get up from a low sofa with less effort now as my core plus legs are stronger; I owe all these improvements to Pilates. My teacher is patient and kind, always helpful — thank you!
— Surinder B.
I certainly enjoyed the Pilates session with Charlotte — it provides some pain relief, increased flexibility, and makes me want to be more active.
— Joni
I have been with ABC for about 7 years, and its biggest benefit has to be no more lower back pain and much more flexibility. Love it here!
— Mike P.
I love ABC Fit!!! Over the years, I’ve worked out at many places, but this is the first one I absolutely love — so much so that I usually come 7 days a week! What is so special are the small classes that mean lots of individual attention, the extraordinarily knowledgeable instructors, and the nice variety of classes. It has been a huge benefit to my well-being.
— Linda T.
My balance has definitely improved, and I feel stronger. The ABC classes are wonderful! Zumba has always been a joy. Great to dance, dance, dance!
— Brenda
ABC has helped me heal from knee surgery. The classes and teachers are amazing! It is a very welcoming and friendly studio.
— Helene C.

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

BE IN THE KNOW

Follow us
@abc_fitstudio