Gyms all around the USA have closed down to prevent the spread of COVID-19, impacting both professional athletes and gym-goers alike.
For some, this has caused real distress.
Exercise is known to be very therapeutic for mental health. Since gyms have been closed, some athletes have experienced an increase in anxiety and stress, especially during an epidemic.
Whittier student Jaydon Wagner said, “Well, with gyms closed, I’m very sad about it. Working out is one of my favorite things to do. It’s my biggest hobby. With the gym closed I feel a little stressed out and have a little more anxiety. The gym was a way I could escape and go against my problems. Now I sometimes feel like there’s nothing to do with the gym closed.”
Not only are gyms closings impacting many people’s mental health, but closing could have a huge impact when it comes to bodybuilders and powerlifters not being able to workout, whose competitions have been canceled.
Powerlifter Ray John Rivera said, “I was devastated when they first closed the gyms. It was my place of zen and peace. Whenever I felt troubled or depressed I would go to the gym.”
“I can’t speak for everyone but this time can be used to find new things about yourself and get better at other things. Maybe stretch more or do light workouts that you normally don’t do at the gym to work the smaller muscles never used,” Rivera said.
Not only are gym closures impacting people’s daily routines, causing stress and anxiety, but they are also affecting people’s personal incomes.
For personal trainers who normally train at a gym and need equipment for their clients, the closure of gyms is also going to have a huge impact.
A personal trainer, Alexus Amezquita said, “I understand why the gym is closed. Part of me is upset but we also need to keep practicing social distancing. At my training facility, we have over 50 trainers and they bring their clients so the area gets very packed at times.”
“The majority of the time I enjoy being around other personal trainers and being at home has affected me a lot.”
The Long Beach community has mostly been understanding about gym closures and is adapting to working out at home.
Instead, individuals have been purchasing home workout equipment.
Currently, Walmart is sold out, Amazon has several items sold out, along with Target and many other stores.
Gym goers are simply trying to stay focused on their goals and mental health, just from home now.