avatarTom Handy

Summary

Tom Handy decided to cancel his gym membership due to concerns over the increasing spread of coronavirus and the inconsistent enforcement of mask-wearing rules at his local gym.

Abstract

After three decades of consistent gym attendance, Tom Handy found himself quitting his gym due to the rising cases of coronavirus in his area. Despite low numbers compared to the flu, Handy's personal health concerns, particularly the risk of severe illness, led him to avoid environments where the virus could easily spread. Upon visiting the gym to cancel his membership, he observed that some members did not adhere to the mask policy, which was at odds with the city's public health requirements. This discrepancy between the gym's practices and the city's mandates, along with his own health priorities, solidified his decision to cancel his membership. Handy plans to continue exercising safely at home and suggests others do the same to maintain their health during the pandemic. He also shares a link to another article detailing his home workout routine.

Opinions

  • Handy believes that the risk of contracting COVID-19 and the potential need for a ventilator is not worth the risk of continuing to attend the gym.
  • He questions the logic behind the gym's exemption from the city's mask mandate, implying that this could contribute to the spread of the virus.
  • Handy is critical of gym members and the establishment for not following mask guidelines, which he sees as a common-sense measure to prevent the spread of the virus.
  • He values personal health and safety above the convenience or habit of gym workouts, especially when faced with a health crisis.
  • Handy advocates for creating personal rules or adjustments when existing guidelines do not seem to make sense or ensure safety.
  • He is optimistic about the possibility of returning to the gym in the future, indicating a temporary change in his routine rather than a permanent one.
  • Handy encourages readers to continue exercising while staying safe, suggesting that home workouts are a viable alternative during the pandemic.

Coronavirus Made Me Quit the Gym After 30 Years

Sometimes you have to read between the lines to see the real story.

Photo by Online Marketing on Unsplash

Now the coronavirus has caused me to leave the gym for a bit. Where I live, the coronavirus is not decreasing but only getting worse.

Yes, the numbers are low as compared to the flu, but I’m not a teenager anymore and would rather not get hooked up to a ventilator. This doesn’t look like fun to me.

So today, I drove to the gym which I hadn’t stepped foot in months. I said I wanted to cancel. The clerk said no problem.

As I waited and looked around, I saw people exercising. Some had their mask on, while others had the mask but didn’t cover their mouth. Does this make sense to you when the sign on their door said to wear your mask?

Then a friend said members don’t have to wear their mask when they exercise. I was thinking, really? This didn’t make any sense.

So now I have no regrets canceling my gym membership today.

I value my health too much to let a little virus get the best of me especially when the rules change. The city I live in requires everyone to wear their mask in public places so how does a gym get this loophole?

Could this be one reason why the virus is spreading?

Sometimes you have to question what the rules are but also to learn to play by the rules. If the rules don’t make sense, then you need to create your own rules.

So will I miss the gym? Definitely.

Will you see me back next year? Of course.

I value my health too much to make to let one little virus get the best of me.

My advice is to continue to workout and stay safe.

Check out this other article that covers part of my home exercise routine.

Are still you working out?

Tom Handy is a top Finance, Investment, Bitcoin, and Parenting writer on Medium, and the father of two kids. He retired from the Army and sits on several non-profit boards. You can find him on Twitter @tomhandy1.

Coronavirus
Covid-19
Corona Virus Pandemic
Health
Fitness
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