Slowly but surely, gyms around the country are starting to re-open, and if we want to keep this trend going, we have a heavy responsibility to follow the health regulations, maintain personal hygiene and keep our distance from people. Throughout this time, some people adopted the home-workouts and fell in love with them, while others couldn’t wait to get back to the gym.

However, while things are starting to get back to normal and shops are beginning to reopen, it doesn’t mean the pandemic is behind us, and that’s the most important thing to remember when going to the gym, to a restaurant or to hang out with friends. If you’re planning on heading back to the gym soon, following these simple rules would keep you safe and healthy.

Wipe down any equipment you touch

All of these rules don’t just apply to the gym, but anywhere you go: for example, when riding the bus, use gloves or wipe down any surface you might want to touch. Regarding the gym, according to the new health regulations, gyms are required to clean the weights and machines after every use and thoroughly at the end of every day. However, you shouldn’t rely only on the gym staff, but bring your own wipes to clean the machines before and after you touch them – better safe than sorry.

Bring your own equipment

We’re not talking about the weights and machines, but the small gym supplies, such as a water bottle, a towel and a yoga mat if you need one. Towels are particularly important, since you can’t know how well they wash those at the gym, and the same goes for water – if you can bring your own bottle, it’s better not to touch the water fountain.

Social distancing

This doesn’t apply only to the gym: according to professionals, social distancing is probably the most important rule and the most efficient way to stay safe. If your gym doesn’t have a space of at least six feet between the machine, make sure you don’t come at the rush hour, so that you can keep a safe distance from the other people. If your gym is crowded at all times, consider a new, less crowded venue.

Avoid crowded classes

This goes back to the social distancing rule: gym classes are often given in rather small spaces, for at least an hour straight with air conditioning and no windows. This is why you should try and avoid them altogether, and if classes are your favorite choice of exercise, try and attend classes with maximum of ten people, otherwise, it constitutes a large gathering and increases the chances of spreading the virus.