Experts have warned Australians to train at home after a popular gym was hit with coronavirus.
Fitness First, on George Street, in Sydney, confirmed that one of their members had the virus when the visited the the gym between the hours of 6am-11am on March 9.
The gym issued a statement to its members and asked them to keep a look out for any symptoms within the next two weeks, Daily Telegraph reported.
‘A person who was at George St Fitness First on 9 March approximately between 6am and 11am has recently been confirmed as having coronavirus (COVID-19) infection,’ the statement read.
‘You have been identified as a casual contact and we advise that you monitor your health until 24 March 2020 (14 days after exposure to the infectious person).’
Fitness First, on George Street, in Sydney, confirmed that one of their members had the virus when the visited the the gym between the hours of 6am-11am on March 9
Experts have urged members to avoid gyms to minimise the spread of the deadly coronavirus
A spokesman confirmed that the gym, which remains open, was thoroughly disinfected in accordance with NSW Health Department guidelines.
‘Additional cleaning was undertaken as soon as the club was informed of the case in question by the NSW Health Department,’ a spokesman said.
‘The gym, equipment and public areas will continue to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in line with NSW Health Department recommendations.’
UNSW professor of microbiology Peter White warned that gyms create a perfect environment for viruses to spread.
‘In a gym, because the equipment is shared, there will be a lot of opportunities for the virus to spread,’ he said.
‘It only takes one person to be infected and the virus can spread easily in a gym, because so many people touch the same equipment.’
He also said that gyms were enclosed making it easier still for the virus to transmit between people and recommended that people exercise outdoors.
The gym hired cleaners to disinfect the equipment (pictured) after a member tested positive for coronavirus
Experts are urging members to exercise outside and to avoid gyms until the pandemic eases
Fitness First, Anytime Fitness, Snap Fitness and Good Life have taken drastic precautions to minimise the spread of the virus and asked members and staff to ensure the facilities are regularly wiped down.
‘Gyms need to instruct clients to use disinfectant wipes, be seen by clients to cleaning the equipment and put signs up encouraging people to wipe the equipment before they use it,’ Fitness Australia CEO Barrie Elvish said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Fitness First for comment.
Former Bachelor star Sam Wood concurred that members should steer clear from gyms and exercise at home or outside.
‘As a gym owner, it pains me to say that it’s probably a good time to have a rest from your normal gym routine,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘The spread of coronavirus is getting worse everyday and while we are in a state of unknown as to where it will end up, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.’
The fitness expert highlighted that ‘hot, sweaty and confined spaces with lots of people breathing and sweating everywhere’ is definitely something that needs to be avoided.
‘According to the Australian government’s Department of Health, coronavirus spreads by coming into contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze,’ he said.
Leading Australian personal trainer Sam Wood (pictured) has revealed why you shouldn’t go to the gym – as the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep across the globe
He also said you can contract coronvarius by touching ‘objects or surfaces that have droplets from an infected person and then touching your mouth or face’.
If you feel as though you must go to the gym, Sam explained there are several precautionary measures you can take to try and make sure your health stays in top form.
‘Wash your hands properly with soap for at least 20 seconds after you’ve been to the gym,’ he said.
‘You should also bring your own mat and towel, and wipe down equipment before and after you use it.’
Australia’s coronavirus count currently sits at 237 cases as of Saturday.