It is winter in Michigan during a worldwide pandemic. That means there are three things we want to avoid: the cold, getting sick, and those dreaded extra pounds that always seem to get put on during the more frigid months. There are many safe and effective ways to workout during the pandemic. This includes a multitude of gyms in the area as well as some unconventional ways to stay in shape.

*All gyms are required to follow Michigan guidelines on COVID-19 protocols. This includes requiring patrons to wear masks in the facility. *

Source: Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness (PF) is a good introductory gym for anyone starting out in their fitness journey on a budget. It provides Stairmasters, treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes for cardio. The one downside to PF is the lack of proper weightlifting equipment. Dumbbells only go up to 60 at most locations. Smith Machines, a barbell apparatus in which the bar is connected to a cable system, are not ideal for benching and squatting. They do have a lot of machines for lifting as well as a TRX training system in the back of the gym.

Source: Crunch Fitness
Crunch Fitness in Dearborn is a mid-tier gym in the area. Crunch memberships can be had for around the same price point as PF. It has a variety of cardio machines. It also has squat racks and bench press racks. Dumbbells go up to 120 and their weighted barbells go up to 90. Crunch has a strip of turf to use weighted sleds and ropes with a TRX system by it. A downside to Crunch Dearborn is how crowded it can get after 4pm which is not ideal during COVID-19.

Source: LA Fitness

While LA Fitness has a location in Allen Park, this is the location with a better reputation. LA Fitness will set you back more than a Crunch or Planet Fitness membership. It has similar equipment that you’d see at Crunch but with a sleeker look and feel. It’s more of a drive for those in the Dearborn area and recent reviews show that the gym may be declining. But, tours are offered and you can go see for yourself whether or not this is indeed true.

Source: Powerhouse Gym

Powerhouse is probably the most expensive gym in the Dearborn area. It is a gym for relatively serious lifters. Powerhouse is also the newest gym in the area so will have the most updated equipment. Powerhouse is open 24/7 despite the mall closing every day. There is a juice bar at the entrance for post-workout drinks. The downsides to the gym would be the fact it’s located in Fairlane Mall and has such a high price-point.

**Mall Walking **
While this may sound boring, this is one of the best options during COVID if you do not want to shell out money for a gym membership. Metro Detroit offers a variety of malls to walk in: Fairlane Mall in Dearborn, Southland in Taylor, Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, Somerset Mall in Troy, or even the Westborn strip mall in Dearborn, which offers a covered path for walking laps.

Home Workouts
If you still don’t feel too comfortable leaving your house, don’t worry. You can get a good workout with bodyweight exercises at home. Pushups, crunches, dips, burpees, and jogging in place are very beneficial. You can also make homemade weights with water-filled milk gallons or anything heavy you can lift without worrying about breaking. Here’s a suggested home workout that is great for strengthening your body all over:

Pushups: 4 sets, 20 reps
Crunches: 4 sets, 20 reps
Burpees: 5 sets, 10 reps
Dips: 4 sets, 15 reps
Bodyweight squats: 4 sets, 15 reps
Repeat as many times as desired