Posted on May 11, 2020
What is the logic behind keeping the base gyms closed?
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(I know this varies by location) is your base gym open yet? Curious to know the logic behind keeping these closed. AD/Reserve should be fine to workout while being sanitary and respecting space. Multiple states are allowing commercial gyms to open this month, with common sense restrictions. Considering the average age and health of the military, I don’t see an issue with base gyms functioning with caution. It seems more damaging to restrict fitness centers for the troops, for physical and mental health. With social activities being restricted, troops need the gym now more than ever. I personally trust using a DOD/MWR gym over a commercial gym as for the crowd and virus exposure. On base, You have less people with underlying health problems (should be almost none on base), and almost no elderly at risk (only retirees, can be restricted easily). No gym on base = less morale, less readiness. Train at your own risk. Like doing anything else outside your residence right now. It’s individual responsibility.
Fitness
DoD
Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR)
Health
Mental Health
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
From a Preventive Medicine perspective, here are my thoughts:
As long as the gym is following strict guidelines and sanitation protocols, then I really don't see an issue. HOWEVER....having inspected many a gym....the common sense rule is out the window. People, as a whole (and SMs are the worst) are not the cleanest specie on the planet. Some folks will follow the rules/guidelines, but you will have many a folk that won't. And since gyms are enclosed spaces....it's difficult to maintain 6' distance. And getting EVERYONE to adhere to spacing, and wipe down equipment before/after use....yea, you'd have am easier time pulling a bad tooth out a croc's mouth with plastic tweezers.
As long as the gym is following strict guidelines and sanitation protocols, then I really don't see an issue. HOWEVER....having inspected many a gym....the common sense rule is out the window. People, as a whole (and SMs are the worst) are not the cleanest specie on the planet. Some folks will follow the rules/guidelines, but you will have many a folk that won't. And since gyms are enclosed spaces....it's difficult to maintain 6' distance. And getting EVERYONE to adhere to spacing, and wipe down equipment before/after use....yea, you'd have am easier time pulling a bad tooth out a croc's mouth with plastic tweezers.
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I'm so sick of people wondering (whining) about the gyms being closed. Here it is. GYMS ARE FILTHY!!!
They are covered with bodily fluid, have higher temperatures, and people ca't be trusted to even rerack their weights let alone wipe down their equip. Then you have towels all over as well, people grunting and yelling, expelling more spittle, and you are breathing in each others face when spotting.
The military is acting as if there was no such thing as exercising before a gym was invented.
Here's an idea that's easy, requires no equipment, and is better for military service than lifting: RUN!
The legs feed the wolf, cardio is the basis for everything else. You don't need to deadlift 700 to be successful in your job, but you do need some basic cardio endurance.
There are tons of ways to get a good pump without a gym. Calisthenic spots around posts are open - do pushups, situps, ropes, pullups...ya know the things the services test for. Go ruck, go for a hike, etc. Get creative , not just "Oh the gym's closed....guess no PT".
They are covered with bodily fluid, have higher temperatures, and people ca't be trusted to even rerack their weights let alone wipe down their equip. Then you have towels all over as well, people grunting and yelling, expelling more spittle, and you are breathing in each others face when spotting.
The military is acting as if there was no such thing as exercising before a gym was invented.
Here's an idea that's easy, requires no equipment, and is better for military service than lifting: RUN!
The legs feed the wolf, cardio is the basis for everything else. You don't need to deadlift 700 to be successful in your job, but you do need some basic cardio endurance.
There are tons of ways to get a good pump without a gym. Calisthenic spots around posts are open - do pushups, situps, ropes, pullups...ya know the things the services test for. Go ruck, go for a hike, etc. Get creative , not just "Oh the gym's closed....guess no PT".
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SrA (Join to see)
SFC, tell me if I’m wrong lol. The mouth breather walking by someone with a homemade mask at the grocery store puts that individual at the same risk, if not more, than If he were to be at a gym, spacing; and cleaning stations like an OCD house wife.
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CW2 (Join to see)
SrA (Join to see) - The mask is to keep your spit close to you, not to keep the virus out, that's why they say homemade masks and stuff are fine unless you're doing healthcare work.
As for those cleaning the gyms all OCD like....it shoudl be that simple, but we also have idiots protesting to open states and stuff, let alone the young servicemembers who think they're too cool to wipe down their equipment even without a pandemic.
As for those cleaning the gyms all OCD like....it shoudl be that simple, but we also have idiots protesting to open states and stuff, let alone the young servicemembers who think they're too cool to wipe down their equipment even without a pandemic.
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SrA (Join to see)
CW2 (Join to see) agreed, there’s been no balance. Like you said there’s that side of the isle that does blatantly stupid things, completely oblivious people like the spring breakers a month ago. Than there’s the polar opposite side, the Covid citizen police that want this country to run like China. Covid commies wanting time send the police to tackle you at Kroger for not wearing a face cloth. Thanks for the entertaining comment, I’m ready to throw weights in a backpack and go hike a mountain now after reading it LOL
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The logic is because people don't listen. The military is taken all precautions to ensure the health and welfare of the force. JBLM has a plan in place to reopen in accordance with state guidance. There will probably be some restrictions just like before the closure.
There are other ways to exercise. There are even YouTube and FB videos of examples.
There are other ways to exercise. There are even YouTube and FB videos of examples.
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SrA (Join to see)
CPT, I think that logic only benefits those would would be avoiding the gym during this pandemic regardless of it being open or closed. We know it only takes one dirty bird dominoes worker to not change the gloves, or sneeze, to infect a group at the barracks. When you take away the gym and bars, young single people go stir crazy and have more gatherings anyways. Anywhere they can think of. No “6’ rule” to be seen. Many of these individuals could carry the virus for weeks and never know they had it. Knowing the greater risks of exposure even in a store or drive through, is the gym going to be the tipping point? I feel like with strict guidelines in place, the gym could benifit members by keeping them in a highly active routine, better prepared for handling a virus. It just seems like a “checked the box” decision. The gyms were running smoothly with strict rules on base before they closed. Everyone I saw was cleaning equipment before and after for the most part, and spacing. Thanks for the response ma’am. Stay healthy
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