Don’t sweat it.

According to the experts, the coronavirus might not be an excuse to skip your regular workout.

Because novel coronavirus cannot be transmitted through sweat, gym-goers can be assured that exercising in a gym setting is not necessarily more dangerous than anywhere else, provided the same vigorous hygiene techniques are employed to limit the spread of the disease.

These include wiping down machines, always covering your mouth while coughing or sneezing, not touching your face and washing your hands for the recommended amount of time with hot soapy water before, during and after exercising.

Changing your schedule to visit the gym at off-peak hours can also help minimise your contact with other people.

‘Bring your own towel’

For the most part, Cork gyms and leisure centres remain open for now, with many taking steps to contact their members and remind them of a few important ground rules.

Ballincollig fitness centre F1T sent an email to its members, asking them to take some simple precautions to help prevent the spread of the virus:

“All of the staff will be ensuring that we all take our part in upholding clean and hygienic standards in the gym. We will be regularly cleaning down the equipment with anti-bacterial spray.” said the statement.

“We also ask that you join us in upholding these standards by bringing your own towel, mats for the floor, washing your hands and using the anti-bacterial spray provided throughout the gym. We also have hand sanitizer provided.

If anyone is showing the signs and symptoms of having a temperature, cough or shortness of breath, we please ask that you do not enter F1T.”

One spot that might be wise to avoid right now is the steam room. Medical journalist Dr Norman Swan spoke to the media this week to urge the public to give it a miss for now:

‘I wouldn’t go near any humid area to be honest.’ he said.