Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Association of Malawi (WBAM) vice president, Bright Limani, has advised bodybuilders and gym trainers across the country to ensure safety by strictly following Covid-19 prevention measures.

Limani, who is also Chairperson of Mr. Zomba Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Contest, said most bodybuilders train in public gyms where the risk of contracting Covid-19 remains high hence the need for them to wear gloves and face masks when in such facilities.

He said gym trainers have a role to play in safeguarding lives of bodybuilders and people who visit their gyms.

A trainer at Brain Wise Gym in Zomba, Chancy Muyangambani, said they appreciate the need to keep their gyms free of coronavirus.

“We are following all safety guidelines to ensure that our gym is safe for use. Among other things, we have set time schedules where each athlete is allocated a specified slot for workouts,” Muyangambani said.

According to Muyangambani, the move is a control measure to ensure that they decongest the gym and minimise physical contact among users.

Bodybuilder Harris Kasambala said athletes need to adopt exercises that enable them to train without using gym equipment.

“As bodybuilders, we are not limited to training at gyms only. There are a lot of exercises such as squats and frog jumps which are effective in ensuring that we keep our muscles in good shape,” Kasambala said.