What to do about my covid rule violating gym?

[Anonymous]

i recently went back to my gym after a long absence only to find it was not following safe covid guidelines. when i renewed was told everyone had to wear a mask in common areas and change rooms but could take it off when working out if necessary. was also told everyone had to sign in using a book at front door and write name , check off if they had symptoms or not

but after going there only a couple times realised its not actually following any of the guidelines. people literally walk in maskless , don't use hand sanitizer ( despite the fact its free and at front door ) don't bother to check in the sign in book and don't wear masks at all during there visit period. like they walk in maskless and start working out and then leave maskless. the staff also aren't wearing masks either

we have a strict local mask mandate that clearly states you have to wear one in indoor public places although you can take it off temporary when working out. so they are allowed to remove it at times but suppose to be wearing it the rest of the time when in the gym

i haven't even been in the public men's change room , been using a smaller private washroom instead as i was so concerned about there other members behaviour i didn't feel safe using it

needless to say i've never been so genuinely concerned about the actions/ behaviour of a gym and its members than what i've seen here. this gym is a genuine risk to public health , you think from a business stand point it be good for business to follow the covid rules and then more people would feel safe/comfortable coming to work out but i don't feel safe there

Updates

+1 y

i found a copy of the mask rules online for my area , i don't see anything about a gym exception , says you can take them off when working out but only temporarily and still suppose to be worn in public spaces so common areas of gym like entrance and change rooms but exception only applies to when working out not other times in the gym , the staff are also suppose to wear one if near other people can not but only if in private areas by themselves

https://www.ontario.ca/page/face-coverings-and

Updates

+1 y

decided that i had seen enough and that there actions were clearly a risk to public health. i reported them online to local health department but will need to speak to someone on Monday to provide exact details of what i saw there

Updates

+1 y

VICTORY it took a few days but after reporting them there now following the rules , there now forcing everyone to wear a mask when entering building etc and to use the sign in covic screening sheet. be interesting to see how long it lasts for though before there members start to return to bad habits

[Anonymous]

The gym not following the rules has offered you an opportunity to wake up to what's really going on. You are told to wear masks... when politicians laugh at you and others wearing them. They violate their own rules. Even Boris Johnson was challenged about it on an interview.

Go read the thousands of Randomly Controlled Trials on masks testing their protection of nurses, surgeons, and patients. Some of these medical trials were done over the course of busy hospital shifts for months on end. Check the results.

Do you know what using hand sanitizer does to the beneficial bacteria on your hands? Ever wondered why all of the safe and effective ones are never mentioned?

Do you know there is a simple molecule that kills the virus, and all known and unknown variants without risking any mutation or resistance developing? Ever heard the government recommend we all use it? I bet not. The same molecule can easily be used in any environment without harming people, but while completely eradicating all viruses in the air, environment and even on peoples clothing. The military have used it to clear anthrax at higher doses.

[Asker]

i've never been a huge fan of mask mandates and have never been sure as to how effective they are. i'd just feel better if the gym made some attempt to follow the public health guidelines. i don't think its there right or decision to not follow them. its the law , they could face huge fines or even a closure for there wreckless behaviour. there clearly not following even the most basic rules and putting public health at risk

[Opinion Owner]

If you are not sure of how effective they are, why don't you go and find out? The decades of data is all out there. Since you don't know how effective they are, why would you not be concerned that you may be, being told do something that does not work?

There are some government studies on nih. gov that shows mask use increases the risk of respiratory infection. The government already know this so the question you should be asking yourself is why would they then make the compulsory?

Is that not a public health risk?

[Asker]

to clarify not saying i agree with every covid rule , some of them perhaps are unfair or ineffective. i just don't think its up to this gym to decide if they want to follow them or not. the public health guidelines were brought in to keep public spaces safe and if there not being followed than public safety in that gym cannot be guaranteed.

there also a franchise gym , one of those ones you can buy for a price i'd assume but i'd guarantee they'd rip up there franchise agreement if they found out they were not following the covid guidelines in there local area. there was a chain restaurant here that just got shit down for not following covid rules and losing its liquor license

[Asker]

its not just the mask issue at this gym , there members aren't using the sign in book , is spending 30 seconds to write your name , time of arrival and check off 3 boxes ( no covid symptoms , no close contacts , traveled out of the country ) a violation of there rights? why would that possibly be an issue? i've done it all 3 times i went there and never felt it was a problem yet most just walk by and couldn't care to be bothered

[Opinion Owner]

'is spending 30 seconds to write your name , time of arrival and check off 3 boxes ( no covid symptoms , no close contacts , traveled out of the country ) a violation of there rights? why would that possibly be an issue?'

When you know there is a simple molecule that protects, prevents, cures, and can be safely used in all enclosed spaces... and the government and military know about it... and they do all they can to ban it, block it, and keep people from knowing about it. YES it is a problem It means they are lying, and that all of those procedures are worthless!

[Opinion Owner]

People like you that do not bother to take the time to learn the truth will result in a world like the one reported below. A COVID pass required for a vaccine that does not prevent spread, does not prevent infection, and offers zero immunity. You have an opportunity to look beyond what you are seeing, to look deeper but instead you are repeating the same media infused wording that makes zero sense.

If masks do not protect you from a microscopic virus... and you take them off when working out. That means that even if they did protect you, you'd be at risk... even more so with the heavier exhaling during a workout.

If people are signing a book listing symptoms and their home address. How is that making a difference when all of the ways of preventing the virus are being ignored by the government?

When you wake up one day and have zero freedoms left. Don't say you weren't warned!

threadreaderapp.com/.../1456627584586944514.html

[Asker]

either way i don't think its there right to decide to not follow the public health guidelines , every other business in this area is following the rules , are they somehow above the law? i've always had questions about the usefulness of masks and true there likely not 100 % effective. but its not just the mask mandate there violating , there members are not filling out the self assessment either or washing there hands before working out , so many violations its disturbing

[Asker]

i've already begun the process of reporting them to public health and will be making a formal complaint with the health department and willing to sign a legal oath stating i witness such violations if it comes to that. i hope to speak to someone on Monday

[Asker]

i also checked the forms that i signed when i renewed membership , it clearly states the member agrees to follow any rules posted by the club , its clearly posted that there suppose to wear a mask in common areas and sign in. so there all in violation of the club usage terms and conditions , why should i feel sorry for these people? there already in clear violation of the club rules and shouldn't even be allowed in

[Opinion Owner]

'willing to sign a legal oath stating i witness such violations if it comes to that.'

I wonder if you'd ever fight as hard for the truth, as you are fighting for a lie! Do not complain when you reap what you sow!

[Asker]

i read over the clubs sign up forms that i signed when i renewed , it clearly states that a member must follow all club rules that are posted in the gym ( it doesn't matter if they personally disagree with them ) . its posted at the front door that masks must be worn in change rooms and common areas so all these unmasked members are in violation of the clubs terms of use and have no right to be there. they would have legal grounds to remove them as club members if they wanted to

[AviatorTom]

If you're not comfortable about the gym, or any other place, for that matter, just don't go there.

Maybe you should have a talk with the gym's manager, and describe what you're seeing, and why that bothers you. If they don't take any action, then cancel your membership and make sure you get a refund. Maybe there's another gym in your area that does follow the things that make you comfortable... ask your friends.

[Asker]

its not just about the money , for me at this point its a public health issue. not just a matter of if i'd personally want to go there or not. there clearly not following the covid guidelines properly for whatever reasons. i hope someone from public health will be available to speak to me and speak to them as well to try and figure out what is going on here and why the rules appear to be unfollowed at this gym. i plan to speak to someone today , i'm going to the local public health office later today , i'm not going to let this go until i get some answers and they clean up there act and start following the law

[AviatorTom]

Good. Do what you think is important.

[Asker]

next stop public health , well i might get lunch first but will be paying them a visit and hopefully someone can get some answers as to what is going on there and why there allowed to operate in such a manner

[dustybiker]

It’s up to the business to enforce or not. Even during lockdown the local city hall and law officers said they would do nothing to stop countless, large, unmasked, parties, etc going on around town. People will do what they want as long as they are allowed to.

[Asker]

no its not , the covid rules for my area are not voluntary , there is large fines and charges for violators. its not optional , its not the owners right to risk others health and safety during a pandemic. true there is always going to be bad apples who don't follow , if we were talking about 1 in 20 members walking in maskless i'd let it slip but were talking about 1 in 20 walking in wearing masks at this gym , thats how bad it is , your the extreme minority if your wearing a mask there , they even look at you and wonder why your wearing one

[dustybiker]

You’re lucky to live in a place that takes it seriously. I’ve yet to see it where I live.

[Asker]

the fines for a corporation that defies covid orders could be as high as $ 10 million although would be decided by the courts based on the nature of the offence. they could also order the closure of the gym for violations although would likely issue them a warning or fine first

this is why i'm so mind boggled as to why they'd seemingly openly not follow the rules , there basically risking everything so they can walk around maskless for a few minutes. to follow the rules all they need to do is wear a mask for less than a minute when they enter and exit the gym , but apparently that is too much for there members to bother with

[Smashingdoozy]

There's probably somewhere you can report it. Though I doubt it will change. Might be time to look for a new gym

[Asker]

i do plan on talking to someone from the health department tomorrow about this if possible , my guess is there unaware and had been lied to by the gym , they liked told them they were telling members to wear masks and following the guidelines when there really not.

the issue seems to be there members know they can get away with it. but there behaviour is so disturbing , i've never been to a gym before where i was literally so disturbed by its members habits and behaviour than this one. the reality is there endangering public health and the owner has no right to do that simply cause he owns the gym , its not his right to endanger our town by creating such an unsafe environment at the local gym.

[EternallyCorrect]

Sounds like a good gym to me.

It also sounds like you should do more heavy squatting and deadlifting, and avoid any protein powders that contain soy. That might raise your low testosterone levels and help you to be less of a bootlicking pussy.

[GohanAwakens]

It's unlikely you can change the accepted standards at the gym regardless of the rules. You need to decide if you're comfortable going to the gym and if not say you were assured of these rules before you renewed your membership and did so on that basis. Since not even the staff are following the rules clearly they are not trying to enforce them. Ask for a refund on your renewed membership.

[Asker]

when i renewed at the start of the month i was told everyone had to wear a mask when entering the gym ( common areas ) and in change rooms , also told everyone had to sign in using the sheet at front door. those instructions were clearly told me yet there members seem to think its ok to just walk in mask less , none fill out the sign in sheet and none use hand sanitizer. i was there last night , basiclly empty only 5 or 6 people there but when i was near the front door i saw 6 people come in , 4 younger men none wore a mask , none filled out the sheet , 1 old guy wore a mask and 1 younger girl did too but most of them make no attempt to follow the rules

[Asker]

true a refund would address the $ i paid to them but i don't think this is about the money , this gym is endangering public health and in clear violation of the public health guidelines. giving me my money back doesn't address the obvious health and safety issue being created by this gym in my community , there endangering public health no other way to get around that fact and its not there right to do that , there clearly in the wrong

[HighValue]

Logic would show that taking it off temporarily (for any reason) is the same as not wearing it. Mask mandates haven't stopped it from spreading at all. It is just nonsense.

[Asker]

its not just the fact there not wearing masks there not following any health guidelines , there members aren't using the sign in sheet , there suppose to write there name and check off 3 boxes related to covid. no symptoms , no close contacts and no international travel.

there members aren't following any of the guidelines , although not sure if that sign in sheet is an actual government requirement or just something the gym did itself

[CindyRuns]

How about get vaccinated... they you won't need to worry !!!

[Asker]

there is also a rule here that only vaccinated people are allowed to use gyms , so supposedly everyone there is vaccinated. but considering there lack of following any rules i'm starting to wonder if they've really verified everyone is.

i read through the mask mandate again , it clearly states you can temporarily remove a mask to engage in physical fitness but states you need to wear masks in indoor public spaces if you cannot maintain a distance of 2 meters. it says staff can take off there masks if there alone and in a private area , so they could remove them when in office and alone but not if others were around. so the rules are being bended by this gym , people can take them off at times when there but suppose to be wearing them the rest of the time , when there not for whatever reason

[Asker]

i looked online at what other gyms are doing. , the goodlife chain is at yellow

When a club is at level yellow, masks must be worn upon entry, exit, in change rooms and moving between workout stations. Masks can be removed at your workout station and must be worn when you leave your workout station.

( so masks can be taken off when working out but must still be worn in other areas of the gym , at my gym people don't seem to be wearing them anywhere despite the law saying there suppose to except when working out )

[NetSapien]

I wouldn't care personally.. I am inoculated

[joeldalton]

How can you work out when you are clearly a pussy?

[Asker]

i've seen enough of there bad behaviour and reported them to public health , no one should have to tolerate obvious violations of public health rules in the middle of a pandemic , there behaviour was so disturbing , i've never been to a gym where i was so genuinely disturbed by its members behaviour and felt it was a public health risk , they dug there own hole and will have to pay the price

[joeldalton]

You are clearly mentally ill.

[Anonymous]

Report to the authorities and find a new gym