Employee Gym to Reopen

One of the benefits Houston Methodist employees enjoy the most will become available again Monday, April 5, when we reopen most of the employee gyms. Approximately 80% of the Houston Methodist workforce has been fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Here are the new operating rules employees will need to follow:

Access to gyms is limited to fully vaccinated employees and physicians only and will be granted two weeks after the second dose has been administered. For one dose vaccines, access may be granted two weeks after the vaccine has been administered. Security access will be updated weekly on Mondays, for anyone whose vaccine was completed two weeks before the previous Wednesday.

• Employees who have received approved exemptions or deferments to being COVID-19 vaccinated are not permitted to use the gyms.
• No benefited spouses are allowed at this point.
• The gyms will be cleaned thoroughly every night and there will be a two-hour block of time when they will be closed. Click HERE to see the closing time for each location.
• Group exercise classes will also resume but have a maximum number of participants based on the type of class. Masks must be worn for the duration of the class.
• All gym participants must follow infection control measures outlined below, and any violation of them will have you removed from accessing to the gym
• All participants must always be masked unless in the process of hydrating.
• Masks must cover the mouth and the nose and fit tightly to the face.
• No gaiters or masks with exhalation valves will be allowed in the gym.
• Due to social distancing, there will be a maximum number of people allowed in the gym at a time. This differs per location due to size, please see sign on door before entry.
• Exercise stations/equipment are arranged in a manner to maximize social distancing. Participants must not relocate gym equipment from stations specified by management.
• Participants must disinfect equipment immediately after completing an exercise and before anyone else uses the equipment.
• Participants must bring their own water and drinks.
• Hand hygiene stations will be available in each gym. Participants must practice appropriate hand hygiene. Masks must be worn in the locker rooms unless you are in the shower.

Employees accessing the gyms without proper security access will be subject to disciplinary action.