THE DOCTOR IS IN (THE CLUB)
Written by: Mary Dwyer, PhD, Midtown Bannockburn Member
Being a member of the vulnerable population, I was reticent to return to the Midtown Club in Bannockburn. I was a faculty member at a medical school for 18 years and accustomed to assessing health risks. I factored that knowledge into my decision-making. Thanks to my trainer, Alan Maruschak, I was fully informed of the precautions that were being taken to protect the members’ health. I now attend 3 training sessions per week. I’m extremely pleased that I returned without fear and am able to address staying healthy through working out at the Midtown Club. Walking in my neighborhood wasn’t providing me a full body workout.
Here is what convinced me. A new air filter system has been installed that is environmentally-friendly and 99.5% effective at achieving deep cleaning overnight and continual cleaning of the air and the surfaces throughout the day. Stations are set up in numerous places that include towels, hand sanitizer and heavy-duty sanitizer wipes. The remodeling of the club using an open layout is impressive with state-of-the-art equipment. It allows for more than adequate social distancing. Some equipment is labeled with signage for non-use to assure that there is social distancing between the treadmills, elliptical machines, etc. There is very clear signage throughout the club beginning with a sign outside the entrance outlining expectations. All of the employees are wearing masks and some add wearing face shields in the entranceway. There is heavy-duty cleaning after the use of every piece of equipment and on a rotational basis even if a piece of exercise equipment hasn’t been used. Plus, I felt like I had more control over the cleaning of equipment since I use the thick sanitizing wipes that are within feet of every machine. The double system of cleaning, once by me, gave me more confidence. The members are being compliant with the commonsense rules of social distancing and wearing masks. And as always, the employees are welcoming, accessible, helpful and knowledgeable. I feel as though the Midtown Club leadership has designed a system at additional expense which reflects their commitment to preserving the health of their members.