For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, gyms across the country are beginning to reopen. The exact timelines and rules vary by state, but precautions are necessary no matter where you live.

In addition to following the day-to-day prevention guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staying 6 feet away from people outside of your household, wearing cloth masks, frequent hand washing and more it is imperative that those returning to the gym take extra precautions to protect their own health and the health of other gym-goers and gym staff.

Like any space that is open to the public during the pandemic, going back to the gym comes with its own set of concerns.

Its important to remember that even though gyms are open, it doesnt mean the virus is gone, explained Amesh Adalja , a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security. And no activity in the absence of a vaccine is going to be without risk. That being said, people that want to go to the gym can do so in a manner that is relatively safe but there is not going to be zero risk.

If youre going to head out to your fitness center, take caution. Below, public health experts from across the country share their warnings and suggestions.

Figure out your gyms precautions before going back.

I would recommend calling the gym and asking them what they are doing to reduce the likelihood of transmission and acquisition of coronavirus in their facilities, said Susan Hassig , associate professor in epidemiology at Tulane University.

Hassig said that the gym should have spaced out equipment, specified procedures for decontamination and disinfection of equipment in between uses, an established face mask policy, and perhaps require reservations for entry.

If they have those protocols in place, then thats a good sign. But dont just take the gyms word for it, Hassig said. You should do an assessment when you get there to see if what you were told aligns with the way the gym looks and the way the staff acts.

If your gym told you that people are supposed to be wearing masks in their facility and the staff are not wearing masks, I would turn around and walk out, Hassig said. If youre being told one thing and then you see something else, I would be concerned about what else they told you.