"To anyone who is on the fence about going back to the gym during the current Covid atmosphere:
 
I totally get it. I was there too. But I’m so glad I gave it a test run because I’m incredibly happy to be back. I still get weird looks when I tell people I’m going to the gym and my roommate thinks I’m nuts, but I’m guessing they are envisioning those packed, commercial chain gyms. But that’s why I joined SAC to begin with. Even the busy times aren’t that busy. So, although I’m not going anywhere else besides the essential trips these days, I decided to come back and give it a try.
            
They have a very stringent and organized reopening plan in effect. From the second you walk through the door, every precaution is taken to keeping you and the staff safe. Hand sanitizer everywhere, temperature checks at the door and everyone is in a mask at all times. Because of the limited class sizes and staggered start times, most of the time I feel as though I have the gym to myself. Even in the cycle room, which is the smallest area, I’m still farther away from anyone that I would be during a trip to the grocery store.
 
All of the equipment you come in contact with gets wiped down (by you) before and after class- and the instructors are good at making sure no one accidentally forgets that step. They are also using an industrial style disinfectant to spray down all the equipment either between sessions and/or overnight, so you know it’s been cleaned before you even get to it. There’s really not much more I could ask for as far as making sure everything is as safe as it could possibly be.
 
Wearing a mask while working out definitely takes some getting used to. It was trial and error to find the right mask, but I did get it figured out and honestly, barely notice it anymore. The instructors are very thoughtful about the challenges of working out in a mask and consistently encourage you to take breaks or customize your workout to how you feel most comfortable. Some of the classes can get pretty toasty without the fans going, but hey, gotta sweat out those toxins, right? But overall, I think these are pretty small prices to pay to not be 4 months behind in my workout routine!!
 
These days everything is risk vs. reward. I decided that caring for my physical and mental health greatly outweighed the risk. And SAC has done a fantastic job at minimizing that risk and making me feel safe.
 
Hope to see you there soon!”
 
- Nicole Brantley