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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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!
View Comments (15)
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 .
My gym closed down:(
Ya lol, mine closed too, but then reopened
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Nice!
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.
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