Two Warrnambool gyms are encouraging people to stay active in the midst of COVID-19

While attention has been on high hygiene standards and self-isolation to contain the spread of the virus, Warrnambool 24-7's Stuart Roe and Momentum Fitness' Scott Sudale are encouraging people to keep moving.

Both gyms, along with a number of others in the region, are still open, have taken note of and are applying the stringent hygiene practices put in place by the government and health organisations.

Coronavirus has forced gyms to return to strictly enforcing the cleaning of equipment within their facilities.

Roe has gone one step further and ordered 40 chlorine dioxide, which can be used as oxidizer or disinfectant effective in killing fungi, bacteria and viruses, dispenses for Warrnambool 24-7.

Both gyms have also reduced their class sizes and expanded their length to allow people to safety participate in a clean environment.

But if members are unable to physically return or aren't wanting to take the risk, they say it's still important to keep up a routine of exercising.

"Still walk in your yard as walking is very good and is one of best exercises you can do," Roe said. "

Then there is the good, old fashioned body weight workouts like push ups and sit ups that get your muscles working and building muscle helps people live longer and maintain general good health.

"There is a lot of exercises you can find on YouTube. Also staying hydrated and making sure you are eating as healthy as possible is good too."

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Roe, who owns his gym with his wife Katie, believes staying active is critical during the pandemic.

"One of the most effective ways to build your immune system up is through training," he said.

"Not overdoing but body weight training is effective in building muscles which are factories for producing good hormones that boost your immunity."

Sudale, who owns his gym with wife Kris, added staying fit and healthy was not the main benefit from exercising.

"The most important thing, and we heavily promote it at our gym, is exercise is a good anti-depressant," he said.

"People who are isolated or sick and can't come in need to do something as it's not just good for the physical appearance but working out is also good mentally.

"We don't want people's mental health slipping and they get grumpy and their diet goes out the window because they haven't trained for a week.

"They then feel like all the work they have been doing for years, months or weeks is wasted and we don't want people to get down as it effects their work and home life."

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