Gyms Reopening May Not Facilitate Coronavirus Infections, Study Finds

European countries that have allowed gyms to reopen have reported no uptick in coronavirus infections, suggesting fitness studios might be relatively safe.

A study sponsored by the Norwegian government and published this week provided the latest indication that with certain hygiene rules, people who exercise at the gym might not be at a higher risk of infection than those who don’t.

Fitness facilities in the Nordic country reopened June 15. Germany and Austria have gradually reopened gyms since May, after policy makers there decided that the benefits of exercising outweighed concerns about contracting Covid-19.

So far, no major outbreak has been linked to gyms, pools and other indoor sport venues, which are all subject to heightened hygiene and distancing guidelines.

The Norwegian study showed that gyms were safe if rules were enforced. The study conducted by researchers from the University of Oslo and other research institutions hasn’t yet been peer-reviewed for publication in a scientific journal.