Fan in indoor cycle class?

missyaggie

Joined: Oct 26, 2000

Posts: 528

User Profile

Private Message

Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

3:37p, 6/3/20

AG

I teach a cycle class and resume teaching Saturday. We were told to use the fan to keep the air circulating, but, from all I've read, this is what spreads the droplets.

I'm allowed to use my discretion. Any guidance from those with more knowledge than me?

1

Memphis 7

Joined: Nov 6, 2012

Posts: 5,551

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

9:49p, 6/3/20

This sounds like a recipe for massive viral loads?

and that's a question because I'm an idiot and don't know anything myself.

1

1 edit

AggieAuditor

Joined: Oct 28, 2009

Posts: 2,106

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

10:10p, 6/3/20

AG

Seems like ventilation is a plus IF you can circulate fresh air. Maybe the fan would be useful if injecting fresh air or exhausting stagnant air?

2

Fitch

Joined: Jul 31, 2008

Posts: 13,840

User Profile

Private Message

Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

1:41a, 6/4/20

AG

If you can bring in fresh air, a fan could be a positive - but if it's recirculating air within a room with many people cycling then there's probably not a ton of difference from what the AC is doing naturally. Argument could be made it dries out airborne particles faster, but it's probably more psychological reassurance than anything just my uneducated two-cents.

aggiebrad94

Joined: Oct 12, 1999

Posts: 14,255

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

9:58a, 6/4/20

AG

Where would fan be located?

1

culdeus

Joined: Sep 4, 2005

Posts: 9,166

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

10:12a, 6/4/20

AG

Fan pulling air out of the room probably makes some sense provided the HVAC is providing fresh air.

PJYoung

Joined: Aug 16, 2000

Posts: 93,617

User Profile

Private Message

Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

10:48a, 6/4/20

AG

You're correct in that if an infected person is in your class the fan would possibly help spread it to others.

You don't want air being moved around in an enclosed space if somebody is infected, especially if they're breathing hard like they would be in a cycling class.

The question becomes what lengths do you go to for prevention of covid when people have already opened themselves up by attending the class in the first place. If anybody is that concerned about it they probably shouldn't walk through the door. Just my 2 cents.

4

HotardAg07

Joined: Dec 10, 2004

Posts: 26,886

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

11:08a, 6/4/20

AG

That was my question -- if I were worried about catching COVID, you wouldn't find me in an indoor cycling class with sustained contact with people huffing, puffing, sweating, and coughing for an extended period of time. Sounds like one of the worst case scenarios, fan or not. I have been enjoying the additional freedom to do outdoor biking when I work from home.

Don't get me wrong, I am interested in going to the gym. That just seems like one activity that would be highly contagious.

1

Capitol Ag

Joined: Mar 11, 2005

Posts: 29,670

User Profile

Private Message

Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

1:07p, 6/4/20

AG

More reason why one should only focus on lifting weights! jk, a little cycling class could do me some good actually.

Seriously I've wondered about the fans in our gym as well. The question is would the colder dry air kill the virus in droplets or spread them more? And what are people's comfort levels? It'll interesting to see how many actually come to class. We have had a good turn out here at our gym but a lot of members have remained frozen, including the group sessions I teach.

missyaggie

Joined: Oct 26, 2000

Posts: 528

User Profile

Private Message

Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

In reply to aggiebrad94 • 1:23p, 6/4/20

AG

The fan is located behind and high above the instructor bike, essentially just recirculating the air in the room. Good news for me, it's blowing stuff toward the class and away from me . Door to gym will remain open and there is also a small dehumidifier that will be running.