How Gym Life has Changed during the Pandemic: Survey Results

This is generic information and not to be confused with advice. Speak to a professional for all your health needs and seek their counsel. Children need to be under adult supervision at all times. We disclaim all liability for any physical harm resulting from the information on this website. For more info see our disclaimer and privacy policy

how gym life has changed during the pandemic

There is no doubt that gym life has changed for most people during the pandemic. We surveyed gymnasts across the US and abroad to find out how gym life has changed. The results of the survey are below.

Do Gymnasts Have to Wear Masks during Practice?

gymnasts wear masks pandemic

We asked if gymnasts have to wear masks during practice and 80% said no, while 20% said yes. Most respondents said that coaches had to wear masks. Many of the “no”s said they had to wear masks into the gym and to walk around but not while doing skills.

Is your Gym Checking Temperatures at the Door?

gymnasts temperature checks

Most gyms are not checking temperatures. 75% of respondents said they did not have to have their temperature checked, while 25% said that their gym was taking temperatures at the door.

Are gymnasts practicing the same number of hours as before?

gymnasts practicing the same number of hours

We asked if gymnasts were practicing the same number of hours as they were before the pandemic. This was more evenly split with 58% saying yes they were doing the same amount of hours and with 42% saying no. Some gymnasts said they leveled up so they are doing slightly more or the same amount of hours. We have also heard from other gymnasts that their gyms aren’t moving kids up right now because of the shortened season last year.

Are spectators allowed to watch gymnastics practice?

parents allowed to watch at gymnastics practice

Most gym are still allowing parents and other spectators to watch, although it’s definitely not all gyms. 36% of gyms are not allowing spectators with 64% allowing them. Most gyms require parents to wear masks while watching. Some gyms have limited the number of parents at one time in the lobby and others are only allowing parents of young kids to watch.

Do you Have Meets Scheduled this Season?

gymnastics meets scheduled during pandemic

Most gymnasts have meets on the schedule this season, although even for the gymnasts with meets on the schedule there is uncertainty around if they will happen. 61% said they have meets on the schedule with 39% saying they don’t yet. Most gymnasts haven’t done any meets yet, although a few have done mock meets in their gym. Many gyms that have meets on the schedule don’t have any planned until January or later.

Other Precautions

Here are some other precautions that survey respondents mentioned that their gyms have implemented:

  • each gymnast bringing their own chalk
  • limiting the amount coaches spot
  • sanitizing hands between events
  • cleaning the equipment after it’s been touched
  • disinfecting the mats frequently
  • less kids in the gym at one time
  • gymnasts staying 6 feet apart

It’s interesting to hear what gyms around the country are doing to help keep their gymnasts safe during practice. What safety measures has your gym implemented ? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

  • No Related Posts Found
15 comments… add one
  • Rick Brady October 24, 2020, 8:35 am

    Coaches all wear masks ,no spotting at all ,gymnasts bring own chalk and sanitizer .limited number of gymnasts allowed in ,1 gymnast per 100sq feet .only one entrance to gym ,but we have 2 exits .All equipment cleaned after each group ,and gymnasts sanitize hands between equipment .All stay 2metres apart .

    Reply
  • Hirchell October 24, 2020, 8:55 am

    My gym closed down:(

    Reply
    • Eva October 24, 2020, 11:02 pm

      Ya lol, mine closed too, but then reopened

      Reply
  • SÉGUI October 24, 2020, 9:09 am

    I have aopreciated your survey. Un Ivory Coast people are very precautionous ans drink plants beverage to fight against Covid. Children dont développement the Covid so we dont wear masks during the practise but during thé clasroom un Scholl all of them wear one. Thann you Jessica bye

    Reply
  • sharleen traczyk October 24, 2020, 11:21 am

    just a quick note: Went to our first meet last week, I feel much more comfortable now than before. Temps were taken as people entered, seating was in groups where each gym members were socially distanced. competitors, hands washed, then sanitized. I took my hand held wand (UV) light, before my girls did beam, bars, vault, quickly went over each piece to sanitize. yes there are concerns, but the girls finally had somewhat normal routine, did really well since no gymnastics since last March. I also let the parents select which meet they want to go to, I give them a choice. All of this helps. Hope it helps you, have a great year everyone and good luck

    Reply
  • Eleanor October 24, 2020, 12:35 pm

    My gym does not allow spectators, and everyone has to wear masks. We have to bring sanitizer and chalk, and stay 6 ft at all times, although we have the same practice time and same amount of people.

    Reply
  • Susie October 24, 2020, 1:34 pm

    My gym is closed for two weeks but before that, we were all two meters apart, there was sanitiser at the door and a one way system. The coaches wore visors and we got out ten minutes early so as they could clean before the next class

    Reply
  • Jon October 24, 2020, 3:08 pm

    Gym is operated as normal with temp check at door and limited spectators. No masks and we spot as required. We all know this is a virus like flu and will be here for ever. Even with a vaccine there will be mutations like all viruses and so it will be here for ever. We have to move forward and live without fear. Meets upcoming still in limbo although we are currently scheduled for mid January start.

    Reply
  • Summer October 24, 2020, 8:05 pm

    My gym doesn’t make us wear masks, the coaches can spot us and we don’t really social distance anymore. We aren’t required to use sanitiser, there isn’t any disinfecting equipment and we’re back to normal hours with the normal amount of people. We have gone completely back to normal at this point which is the best thing to ever happen.

    Reply
    • 123 September 19, 2021, 11:41 am

      Nice!

      Reply
  • Kendal October 25, 2020, 5:43 pm

    For my gym all we aren’t super strict on masks but they want us to wear them the whole time besides actually doing skills (not waiting, etc.) and spectators are not allowed I don’t think. After each event we spray equipment down, and there are less kids in the gym at one time, and a month ago they were only allowing “team” to practice.

    Reply
  • Mina October 26, 2020, 8:26 am

    My gym was closed but then reopened. The coaches usually wear masks, we get out temperatures checked, we are spread out on lines and spaces during stretches, and we usually have sanitizing breaks

    Reply
  • Loretta Stubbs October 27, 2020, 9:27 am

    My gym is one of first to do virtual meets (2). My boss (Loui J, Los Alamos NM) has been on top off all the changes that needed be implemented. I know that Loui has done more for the USGA than has-been recognized. A strong women who really cares for our staff, students, family and the safety of all involved in our journey. As a competitive gymnast in my younger days and a coach and personal trainer for over 40 years , Los Alamos School of Gymnastics will be on one of my best life experiences. Thank you for all your time and effort to keeping our sport safe and with thoughtfully integrity.
    Loretta Stubb’s
    Los Alamos School of Gymnastics

    Reply
  • Journey November 5, 2020, 9:40 pm

    My gym was closed for 3 months then reopened to only 8 girls in the gym a a time. It has progressed to about 50 girls in the gym,but we are all very well spread out due to a big area. My gym has taken many precautions like, coaches all wear masks, sanitation between groups including rec, fogging the gym every night, gymnasts bring own chalk, spray bottle, liquid chalk, etc, we have to bring our grip bag and other gym necessities inside the gym instead of the locker room to limit crowded rooms. Along with that all spectators have to wear masks and only REC parents can watch. Gymnasts walk in ONE door and get temp. scanned and ONE exit however in April we had to enter and exit the back doors to limit even more. Limited spotting unless absolutely needed for things like giants and other higher level stuff. We do get to compete this year though!!

    Reply
  • Surinkaly87987485473 December 26, 2020, 4:33 pm

    We have to wear masks during practice, but we can take them off for skills that are harder or whenever we need to breathe. We take temperatures at the door before coming in. The mats that were used are sanitized after each event and we try to stay 6 feet apart. Practice is about 30 minutes shorter.

    Reply
Cancel reply

Leave a Comment