Getting Back in the Swim of Things
Staff of the Falk Recreation Center recently announced that, as of Monday, November 2, 2020, its swimming pool has reopened, expanding the workout options available to members when Falk reopened its other facilities on September 14.
Swimmers can swim again! With the pool now open, those wishing to get in the swim of things must reserve a time since health protocols require more spacing and only one swimmer per lane is permitted. View all regulations here.
Once again, Falk’s management worked with multiple departments on campus, including infectious disease experts, to ensure they could reopen the pool in a safe and responsible manner. With that in mind, they’ve instituted some safety measures that anyone using the pool will be expected to follow. These include:
Those using the pool also have access to equipment for swimming and aquacise workouts
- Those wishing to use the pool must make a reservation for the time they wish to swim or aquacise in advance of their arrival. Health requirements limit pool usage to one individual every other lane, with each person provided a 45-minute time slot
- Those using the pool must wear a mask when entering the pool area and when walking or exercising on its deck. Masks may only be removed immediately before entering the pool and should be put back on immediately upon exiting the pool.
- Swimmers or aquacisers should place their towel and mask on the hooks that have been placed at the end of each pool lane.
“We’re excited to be able to include the pool among the facilities we have available,” said Christopher LaColla, who oversees the pool operations. “We’ve got disinfectant spray available near each hook so that you can wipe down hooks and any pool equipment before and after you use them. And our staff will increase the frequency of our deck cleaning and of any high touch surfaces.”
If you’re planning to use the pool, please review these detailed rules and regulations concerning the facility’s reopening. If you have any questions, please email Christopher.LaColla@einsteinmed.org. Please Note: Saunas, steam rooms, and the whirlpool will remain closed at this time. In addition, the pool will be closed Friday through Sunday. Pool hours are as follows:
Monday
6:30 a.m.to 9:30 p.m. (Closed 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.)
Women’s Swim 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday
11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday
6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Closed 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.)
Thursday
11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Women’s Swim 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Keeping It Clean
The center has also reconfigured workout space to ensure safe distancing for its patrons
Since reopening the gym facilities on September 14, the Falk staff has been diligent about following the strictest measures for keeping the facilities safe and clean for members. They reconfigured equipment to safely distance workout stations for various users. Members must reserve a workout time and the equipment they wish to use. Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of equipment and of high-touch areas is done throughout the day, and members must follow specific requirements to make sure the environment is kept safe and meets COVID-19 health standards.
“We’ve had a warm welcome back from the members who have been coming, who tell us how happy and relieved they are to have the facility open again,” said Andrew Adham, manager of the center. “Everyone is taking our safety measures and policies seriously, which makes our jobs a lot easier and safer. Put simply, they understand we can only remain open if we follow the rules.”
Plein Air and At-Home Workouts
The center also maintains facilities on the roof of the parking garage. These include basketball hoops, a tennis court, and running track. Those wishing to use the facilities must reserve in advance since, currently, there are limits to the number of people who can use the space at one time.
For those who prefer to stay closer to home when getting exercise, Falk staff members have created a virtual gym, featuring printable PDF files, accessible from our COVID-19 website, that offer easy-to-do, at-home workouts. They also post videos of instructor-led workouts in yoga, barre, Zumba, and pilates.
Posted on: Thursday, November 12, 2020