by Drew Peterson, reporter
OMAHA – Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many gyms across the country were forced to close in order to prevent further spread of the disease, and to also come up with plans on what they can do when they reopen.
For the Center for Healthy Living, located at the UNMC campus, it seemed to have been very easy for them to figure out what they would do when they reopened.
Since reopening on July 1, the Center for Healthy Living implemented a new policy to move forward during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only did that include having to wear a mask and social distance at all times but it also included having to reserve for a time to workout at the gym.
Alec Carstens, director for UNMC Intramurals, says that this idea was brought out by him and his coworkers because this was something other facilities had implemented, and it was a reasonable solution for them.
“The thing that gave us the idea to book sessions to work out prior to coming in, was just looking at how other facilities have done it and trying to think of a number of ways that we could allow people into the gym. And avoid having to turn people away,” said Carstens.
There is a challenge every student and staff member in the gym has faced because of the students returning to school in the Fall but Carstens believes that every staff member has done well.
“Now that students are back and we’re starting to hit closed capacity, everybody has been really good about actually paying attention to that screen to make sure that everybody has booked their workout,” said Carstens.
All members are able to book their workout at any time. Many of the members are happy with this rule because they can plan their schedule for the week.
“I like to plan my gym times around class, and since we already know a couple of weeks ahead of time what time we need to be in, it’s easy to fit this into my regular schedule,” said Jake Son, a third year medical student at UNMC.
