One of the most common questions I’m asked is, “Would you go to high-risk place like a gym?”

I’ll walk you through my risk assessment.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I’m 40, no health complications, resting heart rate in the low 50’s, but a wife and son with asthma.

...1/10

For starters, my gym is around 45,000 square feet and is limited to a 50 person capacity. That’s 83 square metres per person. 2 metres of social distancing requires 6.65 square meters. No worries here.

...2/10

Now that I know the space is sufficient, I consulted my gym to check their policy (see attached). My favourite part of the policy was that I had to social distance from my son - because it sends a message to others to do the same.

...3/10

Another part of the policy that I like is a bottle of sanitizer is given to EVERY client - to both clean and to monitor capacity. Did I check if it was one of the 542 surface disinfectants approved by the Government to kill COVID-19? You betcha.

...4/10

Now “back to the gym” doesn’t mean FULLY back to the gym. I always did 24 minutes of treadmill HIIT training. Not any more, despite machines being distanced. I’ve switched to 2 km on the rowing machine because it is infrequently used and separate from EVERYTHING else.

...5/10

I also like the fact that the basketball court has been closed for basketball, but has been kept open to provide additional space (hope the floor doesn’t get too scuffed!).

...6/10

My gym also provides a contactless check-in experience. Easy to use.

...7/10

Are there any extra personal precautions I take?

1. I bring my own hand sanitizer.
2. I don’t bring anything to the gym with me except my own padded barbell cover.

...8/10

What would have to happen for me NOT to go back? If the chance of encountering a transmissible case in a group of 50 was above 5%, I’d stop going. Which means I wouldn’t use a gym today in Chatham, Windsor, Southwestern, or Haldimand-Norfolk.

...9/10

Hope this helps you make your own decision when deciding on whether or not to return to the gym. Does that mean that if I’d return to the gym, that I’d go to a bar or restaurant? A bar - absolutely not. A restaurant - it would depend on a number of factors.

Be smart. Be safe.