Exercising With Masks At NJ Gym Amid COVID? It's Not Too Shabby

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Working out, in general, is hard. Wearing a mask on top of that is harder but doable.

I was invited by Life Time Fitness, at 145 Commons Way, to test things out on Friday and show how a New Jersey gym is trying – and struggling – to survive amid the coronavirus crisis.

Gyms were mostly shut down for five months and many barely survived when they were allowed to reopen in September. They were given strict rules for reopening.

Kelly Bender, member services manager at Life Time Bridgewater, said membership is down about 50 percent with many members on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"We have about 2,000 active members," Bender said. "Monday was our highest sign-in day with 800 people including employees coming in."

Since reopening on Sept. 1, Bender says they have not had any positive coronavirus cases traced back to their location in Bridgewater.

But Bender adds that people are most worried about working out with a mask, so she invites anyone who is interested to take a tour and try exercising at the gym for one day to see how they like it.

The workout

I got there around noon on Friday, when the gym was pretty busy with guests being required to have their temperatures taken and sign in and out.

As a runner, I went straight for the treadmill. Running with a mask is not fun but bearable. Except when trying to push yourself. When running at faster speeds or even on the bike or any of the weight equipment, it gets tough to breathe when you are really exerting yourself.

Although you must wear masks inside, you are allowed to take off the masks to drink water or take a breather. Taking it off for a break helped but it's not the same as being outside.

The gym has installed MERV, hospital grade, filters and is also pumping in outside air. Cleaning is also done every 15 to 30 minutes at all touchpoints such as doors, screens, phones.

Spray bottles and rags are offered to members to clean machines after use and employees are also constantly cleaning equipment.

While some amenities such as the sauna or steam rooms are closed, others such as child care remain open.

Overall, I think it comes down to your comfort level and wearing the right mask. Many masks have fabric that is too heavy, if you find a lightweight, breathable one it definitely makes a world of difference when working out. I found mine at Costco.

Using the mask while working out is not ideal but it is not terrible.

How others feel about it

Carly Mastrogiacomo of Whitehouse Station returned back to the gym two days ago. As a nurse, she is used to wearing a mask so that wasn't a concern. It was the weather that drew her back.

"I usually work out outside but it's getting colder so it's worth the money to come back," Mastrogiacomo said.

Lindsay Alvarez of the Martinsville section of Bridgewater is an avid runner and returned to the gym for the first time on Friday.

She said she held back returning not because it was unsafe or that she was concerned about the virus. Instead, it was the mask.

"It's a little bit hard with the mask but it's not bad," Alvarez said. "You just can't work as hard."

Jake Galati, 19, of Middlesex said he actually began working out more at the gym after the pandemic started because of "quarantine weight."

Galati came to the gym with his friend AJ West of Middlesex. They both were not worried about the masks or virus.

"I am not worried at all about getting sick," West said. "If I get it, I get it."
Most members pointed to Life Time's coronavirus safety procedures for not worrying about getting sick.

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