Do we know of people getting COVID-19 from outdoor fitness classes?

September 2, 2020 7:57 PM

Although I have been doing some running outdoors, dance aerobics is a beloved form of exercise for me and I've found out about an outdoor Zumba class in my city that is capped at 10 people and takes place in a park. People stand 6 feet apart, although with different folks' bodily awareness, I can imagine that wouldn't always be guaranteed. I *believe* everyone wears masks but I am doublechecking this before I go. Is this safe?

I have been really, really conservative about activities during shelter in place (I'm in the Bay Area) and have limited in-person activities to only pharmacy visits, distanced park hangouts, and grocery shopping. I initially heard about an outdoor fitness dance class and thought, "No way, people are breathing hard!" but when I've researched, sources like the Mayo Clinic classify outdoor fitness classes as low-risk.

Dance classes are a big contributor to my mental health, and I was initially over the moon at the prospect of attending one. But now I'm second-guessing myself. Is there any proof of people getting COVID-19 through outdoor fitness classes, in academic literature or from a legit media source? Have folks on MetaFilter done it and felt safe?

posted by rogerroger to Health & Fitness (14 answers total)

Response by poster: Update, it sounds like folks do not always wear masks during the class.
posted by rogerroger at 7:58 PM on September 2, 2020

Additional way to be safer. Take a spot in the back and take all the space you need. From what I’ve seen at my YMCA and local studios they are using parking lots and basketball courts, there should be plenty of space.

While front to back is a concern 6ft apart is just a little more than people standing with their arms outstretched and in every studio dance class I’ve taken (other than bar work) this is the amount of space people usually take for themselves anyway.

Go for it.
posted by raccoon409 at 8:15 PM on September 2, 2020 [5 favorites]

I'm in western, NY, so things are different than in CA. My gym started outdoor classes as soon as we could (I think in early July). In addition to each person working in their own 8 x 8 space, all equipment was disinfected before and after use, and everyone followed social distancing the vast majority of the time. No one wore masks. One person was diagnosed with C19 (not caught from class), and no one in class was infected.

We were allowed to start indoor classes last week. Everyone wears masks all the time in the building, no exceptions aside from getting a drink, we still do the 8 x8 space, and everything is disinfected before and after use.

I'm pretty cautious, and really just go shopping for food and house stuff, and I never felt that with there precautions we were taking that our outdoor classes (or the indoor ones) were particularly risky.
posted by jonathanhughes at 8:20 PM on September 2, 2020 [1 favorite]

My understanding is that the blanket 6 feet rule is a blunt instrument based on outdated science. I've found the more nuanced risk charts here helpful in making these kinds of decisions.
posted by mostlymartha at 8:43 PM on September 2, 2020 [7 favorites]

My understanding is that outdoor activities are comparatively much safer than indoor activities. Any virus particles in the air are dispersed by the wind and diluted by the abundance of fresh air. I live in Florida and I have felt safe biking and kayaking in public places in proximity to other people. Of course, YMMV.
posted by gnutron at 5:55 AM on September 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

People breathing hard without wearing masks seems like an extreme risk.

You'd want to consider ventilation quality, density, and (potentially duration) as well. according to mostlymartha's linked threat matrix id consider maskless outdoor small class workouts to be "low-occupancy, outdoor/well ventilated, no face coverings, speaking/shouting" and there appears to be no difference for duration at that level - its medium risk either way.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 5:56 AM on September 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

I don't think we're doing anywhere near enough contact tracing to answer your headline question. The data just don't exist, and crucially, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. You'll have to rely on your own judgement.
posted by Dashy at 6:07 AM on September 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

While agreeing with all of the above - I would say that in general, outdoor transmission has been surprisingly low in all studies I've seen. If it transmits vs aerosols in a high dose, getting that outdoors is incredibly unlikely due to even smallest breezes diluting any virus and making the viral load extremely small.

So, in general, I wouldn't worry or even wear a mask outside. It's one of the safest things you can do!

Further, the exercise itself will protect you from the infection by boosting your immune system.
posted by bbqturtle at 6:24 AM on September 3, 2020 [5 favorites]

@Dashy that’s certainly true for the US but I’d look for data coming from South Korea as they have had robust data collection with excellent contact tracing as many daily activities continue on.
posted by raccoon409 at 6:32 AM on September 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

First of all, "feeling safe" isn't a really good way to gauge risk, you know? Something that feels risky will automatically _feel_ safer if you do it a couple of times, or if you see other people doing it, even if the risk remains exactly the same. On risk, feelings aren't a good guide, unfortunately. Feelings _matter_, but they aren't a good guide to actual risk.

I will say that I have had surprisingly fulfilling times doing group activities over video chat. I would definitely try that first. If you have the resources you need, try it. If it would take a little work to set up, that's OK; having video chat systems set up is very useful right now. You have little to lose, and it could be awesome fun.
posted by amtho at 8:33 AM on September 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

I think it would be fine to go. Manage your own space - set yourself up on the edge 10 feet away from everyone. You don’t need to stay in the instructor’s 6’ grid. Transmission rates are basically nil outdoors unless you’re huddled right next to someone face to face.
posted by amaire at 9:48 AM on September 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

I am also ultra cautious and I would go.
Look at the big picture. This class is important for your wellbeing and your health overall (and this is what ultimately it is about). The risk is higher than staying home but lower than grocery shopping, IMO.
So go there and simply be mentally ready to leave at any time you no longer feel safe (mentally prepared so that you do not feel so awkward that you do not act) one thing however: you may not be able to get a refund !
other participants will pick up from your stance that you want to be given a wide berth, wider than 6 feet, it is part of the etiquette of group classes that you respect the other participants' space.
posted by bluedora at 11:29 AM on September 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

Agreeing with those saying outdoor activities - especially when people are spaced apart - are relatively low-risk. If this is the sort of thing that interested me, I would do it without hesitation. I would want to stand much further than six feet away from anyone else, though. And I would not wear a mask in this context (and I am super pro-mask, just not during outdoor exercise).
posted by wondermouse at 4:06 PM on September 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: >> First of all, "feeling safe" isn't a really good way to gauge risk, you know?

Well said, amtho.

Thanks all for the feedback. It's helpful to get input from folks who aren't inside my brain.
posted by rogerroger at 5:01 PM on September 3, 2020