Business as usual for some

Fitness centers draw lots of people who are touching the same things – weights, machine handles or treadmill computers.

In short, the kind of things that everyone is being told not to do with the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused schools at all levels, as well as collegiate and professional sports, to suspend activities.

But workout fanatics tend to be hardcore. They need to sweat. They need their pump. So staying away from the gym is not an option for most exercise enthusiasts.

“We’re ramping up our precautionary efforts,” said John Bender, a fitness coach at Algonquin’s Ardent Fitness. “We have more sanitizing areas throughout the high-traffic areas. We have Lysol wipes on stations. We’ve asked our cleaning crew to add in more solvent; we may have them go from three days a week to four. We’re looking to be prepared and not panic.”

The health situation grew more serious this week when the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 virus a global pandemic. Professional sports leagues suspended operations, and the NCAA canceled its remaining winter sports and the rest of the spring season.

Bender could not yet tell a difference in gym attendance with increased awareness of the coronavirus, but he said the gym was gauging that.

Huntley resident Matt Melendy said Northwestern Medicine Health and Fitness Center in Huntley was packed Saturday with younger people.

“I see people maybe staying to themselves and not socializing as much, but it was crowded,” Melendy said. “The high school and college kids were there since colleges have shut down. It was more crowded today.”

Melendy said he spoke to a Health Bridge manager and was told there were no plans to close the gym.

Bender said Ardent will release a podcast Monday explaining its situation and how the gym would handle things moving forward. He appreciates the precautionary action taken both by management and members.

“On our coaches’ side, we’re offering more at-home type of workouts through our social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook,” Bender said. “We want to help the fitness community to know we’re trying to stick together as best [as] we possibly can at this time. Fitness is an important part of overall health.”

Diamante Sansnoiti of McHenry was not overly concerned about becoming sick from going to Charter Fitness in Crystal Lake. The gym sent an email to its members this week letting them know it was taking every precaution to remain as sanitary as possible.

“I’ve worked some pretty gross jobs, working as an EMT,” Sansnoiti said. “Most of the people it’s harmed are people with underlying conditions. It’s not going to keep me from going anywhere. I still have to live.”

Eric Schlitter, who grew up in Algonquin and lives in Schaumburg, has kept his normal morning routines up at Life Time Fitness in Algonquin.

“I’m going the same amount I usually do,” Schlitter said. “It may have an impact on some people, but I’m taking the same approach, just being a little more cautious, wiping down machines before and after I use it.”

Schlitter noticed other Life Time members using extra caution.

“I was people-watching a little bit; you can see paranoia, wiping down every inch [of the machine],” he said. “People you see every day there, and they’re doing it when you didn’t see them do it before. I’ve noticed people being more proactive about it.”

Melendy probably would have kept going for his daily workouts anyway, but he heard something this week to reinforce his yearning.

“A couple days ago, my wife [Lesli] was on a conference call with the governor’s office, and a doctor said healthy people have a better chance of fighting the virus,” Melendy said. “He said, ‘Keep going to the club. Stay active.’ I’m going. I’m using the sanitary wipes a lot more. I want to stay active and feel like if I stay healthy, I can fight off any infection or virus I get.”