Merritt Clubs Downtown Athletic Club

Fantastic experience: I just upgraded my membership so I could visit this spot. They have everything you could possibly want. Only thing missing is maybe a climbing wall...

Fantastic experience: Awesome gym and the team seems pretty good to

Fantastic experience: Robbie is amazing!

Negative experience: UPDATE: In their response below, the gym now claims that the individual involved denies the incident ever occurred. However, I personally spoke with Tammy, the manager, who informed me that the individual had been confronted, interpreted the situation differently, and was given a warning. It is concerning that this account is now being completely contradicted. This organization appears to prioritize profits and sales above all else, like many corporate businesses. It is deeply disappointing that, after placing my trust in this gym for just one day, this was my experience. The final resolution offered to me was a one-month free membership, which I firmly declined. This offer fails to address the core issue: no amount of free membership can justify or excuse the behavior that—despite their prior acknowledgment—is now being denied. This contradiction raises serious concerns. If the incident is supposedly being "denied," why was I offered a membership as compensation? I urge others not to make the same mistake I did—avoid this gym, do not come here. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I came to the gym interested in the equipment and amenities, I tried out the sauna and I experienced an incident of non-consensual and inappropriate touching from another member on my first day trying this facility. When I reported this incident, I was initially promised that the offending member’s membership would be immediately terminated and there is a zero tolerance policy for that behavior. Instead, later on after speaking to the manager, I was given a three-day membership extension and even felt I was to blame for the other members actions. When I escalated the issue to corporate, I was offered only a month-long membership, with no consequences for the other member due to "privacy concerns"—yet there were no concerns of my privacy being clearly violated and no further actions will be taken. While the gym itself has excellent equipment and facilities, the lack of accountability, disregard for member safety, and acceptance for this behavior has completely shattered my trust in this establishment. After my experience, I will never return to this gym and cannot in good conscience recommend it to others.

Fantastic experience: I COULD NOT SWIM! Until I recently took swimming lessons at the Merritt with the Best swimming instructor, Hannah. I'm in my mid 50's these days, and I've spent most of my life living with a crippling fear of any large bodies of water; because I could not swim. Fear, shame & embarrassment kept my little secret tucked deep anyway for many years; all the while, I envied those who could swim with ease from the fanciest of pool sides. Finally, I had enough! Once I joined the Merritt I discovered that not only did they have a pool but they offered swimming lessons at a fair price. Today, I proudly report, "I CAN SWIM!" Needless to say I have much room for improvement, and I plan to be assiduous with my practice swimming. In the near future I will be an average swimmer soon. Lastly, next week I'll be on vacation on Martha's Vineyard as I am most summers; however, this summer I will be able to carefully step in to the ocean, and SWIM!!

Fantastic experience: Highly recommend this gym location. Has everything I need as an athlete. Unfortunately there is only one platform and it is often used during peak hours. Would love if the gym incorporated platform onto their sqaut racks. Otherwise have all the weights and dumbells a gym rat would need. They do have rubber plates, rogue bars, elephant bars, etc. So if you enjoy olympic lifting and lifting a bunch of weights that is borderline bad for your back and decrease in range of motion due to huge muscle mass. Welcome to the club. Basketball court could use some remodeling for sure. 24hour access Mon-Fri and free parking garage. I pay the extra for the time hours to fit my schedule and for the extra space. Overall the gym is huge and equipment is new. They recently got new smith machines (2024). During the summer and holidays the club does hold a lot of free or low cost events for members and it has great show outs. Got free drinks one night before a workout Customer service is good, the workers keep the place clean and are respectful. I'm a low maintenance person in general so I my requirements are a clean workout areas and do not be disturb.

Positive experience: The whitemarsh location is the only one I have been to and the facility is nice and kept clean. They also offer a lot of free classes. The only thing I think could be improved upon is overall management of the pool area. Depending on the staff monitoring the pool, sometimes you can’t swim in the lap lanes because they let kids play and jump in the lap lanes. Some staff do enforce kids out of this area which is nice. But it is only a few lap lanes dedicated to swimming laps and it would be nice if this was used for this purpose. Also I wish they could enforce a policy where parents are required to stay with their kids at the pool. The couple of times I have been there and last evening there were groups of kids and staff was asking where there parents were because they were getting into verbal with other members . Parents were not around and this continued. They also interrupted and swam into the classes repeatedly.

Positive experience: Parking is a bit hard for area to find .

Fantastic experience: do you accept cash

Fantastic experience: Everything for your fitness needs.

Positive experience: Please update the hours on google because you are not open twenty four hours on saturdays, thank you

Positive experience: Great but they changed the open 24 hrs hours and didn't post it online. Imagine showing up at 2 a.m. on a Monday to find out there open at 4:30 a.m. pissed.

Fantastic experience: best part about staying in Baltimore for 3 months, was this gym. I'll miss it. I travel full-time and usually sign up for a temp gym wherever i am. This has been my favorite so far, and unfortunately all future gyms will be sad now in comparison lol

Fantastic experience: Clean, well equipped, great classes and super friendly staff!

Fantastic experience: Great gym with helpful staff!

Negative experience: I'm very disappointed with my experience as a member at Merritt over the last 6 months. Most of the staff is incredibly friendly and the facilities are awesome! But I have had enough poor experiences with one staff member in particular named Jodie to be done with this club. After speaking with Eddie Noland from merrit management several times it has become clear that Merritt isn't interested in addressing my issue or providing any additional training for the offending staff member. I'll be looking to exit my contract and join coppemine.

Fantastic experience: Very friendly and professional staff. The facility was clean and welcoming.

Fantastic experience: Great Gym, Awesome staff, Love the athletic atmosphere

Fantastic experience: The staff is super friendly and the place is HUGE. Way more than I expected for sure.

Fantastic experience: Great gym. Pleasant staff. Boxing and Basketball.

Negative experience: The gym is soso i joined for the pool (hours are ok) . I am giving them one star because I had called for information on canceling a membership and thier staff gave me wrong information on how to. Now I have a extra charge for no reason aside from them not training thier staff. They even mentioned having new staff so an admittance that this issue could happen . Yet they still refused to help .

Positive experience: i like the private changing rooms in the locker room. has a lot to offer, clean, staff is great recently went there and you had to practically beg for a towel to take a shower. I guess people are doing so much dealing you can’t get a towel anymore.

Fantastic experience: Love the steam room and sauna! Good mix of equipment and friendly staff. Pool is dope and locker room is normally well kept

Negative experience: REPLY TO RESPONSE: Month to month was never offered to me when I signed up, so I’ll assume that your reps are intentionally not offering it to customers to make more money! The person I signed up for a membership with wasn’t even a “family” member”, so I definitely would’ve elected for that option if it was presented. Sad that your reps missed the mark on that one. & No need for the confusion, or even a response! I’m providing people with my take on the experience. Instead of providing a professional response and getting to the bottom of the issue, you guys would rather banter. I see I made the right decision by just finding another gym! INITAL REVIEW: They have a lot of amenities that you wouldn’t normally see in a gym… restaurant, bar, water slides… etc - which sadly leads people like me right into their predatory trap! There’s a year long contract that you have no choice but to lock into if you want to be a member. Oh, and if the primary person doesn’t continuously pay the fees in full for everyone on the agreement - they’ll pin everything on to that person and send them to collections! Try out MAC (Maryland Athletic Club) instead! They only require a 3 month commitment, they’re located in the middle of Harbor East, and the rates are MUCH better!

Negative experience: I'm disappointed with my experience at this gym. The steam room has been out of order for nearly two weeks, and it frequently breaks down. It seems like the management opts for quick fixes instead of addressing the root issues, which would benefit customers in the long run. The morning showers constantly fluctuate between hot and cold, and the early morning cleanliness of the toilets leaves much to be desired. While most of the staff is friendly, there are some with attitude problems. Given the high membership cost, these issues are unacceptable. I'm actively seeking an alternative gym with a working steam room and plan to cancel my membership when the contract ends. On a positive note, my daughter enjoys swim lessons with Ms. Rion in Canton. However, the ongoing problems at the downtown gym are a significant drawback.

Fantastic experience: Shout out to Christian Johnson for helping and supporting me with his great nutritional advice!

Fantastic experience: Always plenty of machines to work on. The staff always greets upon entry and exiting.

Fantastic experience: One of the best teams in Baltimore

Negative experience: They stole my monthly fee that I was supposed to get refunded. I cancelled with the one of the reps and he never put it in the system and now I owe money for this month even though I cancelled last month. Great place if you want to get scammed. Jeremy McEwan

Negative experience: steam sauna doesn’t work

Positive experience: Was mainly here for Volo city basketball. Courts was cool. Didn't have any issues

Fantastic experience: I love this gym! It's always clean, the staff is always so friendly and the best thing of all is the patrons respect the gym equipment and others around them. I never have a bad experience here and I've been having an even better time since I started training with Gracie once a week to get into peak shape.

Negative experience: Misrepresentation of membership fees and they fully lie about what the policies look like and then BLAME the customer for not understanding.. so it might be a nice facility but the people are terrible at customer service and swindle folk for their money and they DO NOT CARE for the individual but only for the check they’re receiving. Can guarantee these positive reviews were paid for because all they do is milk people!

Fantastic experience: This is an amazing gym that is arranged very well and I've been using it consistently since March of this year. I want to say a few things that would make the gym even better. This gym could benefit greatly from having TURF. Can it be installed in the TRX room, the room with two deadlift platforms, or another room in the downstairs area? If so, that would be wonderful for cross-training. I would segregate plates in the two downstairs rooms. The "powerlifting room" (the room with six squat racks, dumbbells, and one deadlift platform) should, in my view, have all metal plates and no rubber bumper plates. In my opinion, all the bumper plates should be in the multifunctional room next to it (the one with pullup bars and two deadlift platforms). Third, I think some rooms downstairs could benefit from having fans installed - whether they be mounted to the wall or just on the floor, unmounted. I think people train really hard and it can get hot in those downstairs areas. Thank you for an amazing gym experience.

Positive experience: Big 24h Gym with a lot of work out possibillitis. Fiendly stuff.

Fantastic experience: Everyone is really friendly and there is an atmosphere of respect and encouragement!

Positive experience: Too expensive, was goi g to try them but i cant see paying that price just to use their pool. If membership were around 50ish, then id drop PF for this place.

Fantastic experience: So far, WONDERFUL THANKS

Negative experience: I have to update the review (from 5* to 2*). There is absolutely nothing wrong with the facility itself but what left a bitter taste in my mouth is their club membership cancellation policy. I have called them and asked to cancel my membership. But i kept getting emails and VM from them (have to say I have missed most of them as it was going to spam and who cares for VM). Finally i spoke with the manager and I was informed it was in contract that membership can only be cancelled “in person or through writing”! So I have to pay back fee for the month that I didn’t use the club at all. On hindsight it may be in the contract but it if nevertheless EXTREMELY PREDATORY & SKETCHY that you can open the membership from you bed in your boxers but if you have to cancel it you have to go IN PERSON! Thanks much! Guess another usual corporate behavior. EDIT: Can’t actually reply so writing here. There’s no way for me to prove my conversation but even if you are correct and I didn’t call it doesn’t matter. The point of criticism is your policy which is STILL THERE. You can’t make it easy to get in the club and make it difficult to get out. THAT’S BAD FAITH behavior and should be changed. Again I have absolutely amazing time in the club and all employees were fantastic. But I can’t stand this kinda opportunistic practices.

Fantastic experience: Friendly staff greeted me when I came in and as I left as well wonderful facility clean basketball court and track

Fantastic experience: I like the atmosphere... Very good work out... The equipment mos def was to my liking...

Fantastic experience: I never used this gym before. But I’ve read the comments and reviews are great. I’m interested in the pool because it’s 24 hr. So I’m using laws of attraction to say this gym has help me lost a lot of weight. And my body is in great shape. I love this gym. And it’s perfect for my schedule.

Fantastic experience: I had a great experience with Jodi Young. I called in to possibly cancel/freeze my membership due to a high risk pregnancy. Jodi took the time to make recommendations for classes that my doctor may approve and even sent me the schedule as to when they occurred. I was approved to attend those classes and didn’t have to freeze/cancel my membership. Upon meeting her in person, she even did a breathe work session with me 1 on 1. Jodi made me feel comfortable. She was kind and interested in what I had to say. I was taken back by her attentiveness and welcoming spirit upon our very first introduction. The session was amazing! It really encouraged me to have mindful moments & to take time for self-care again. Thank you for being so kind and knowledgeable Jodi! Dawn Renee

Fantastic experience: Another big class! Rico, the word is out!

Fantastic experience: Friendliest staff... restrooms are immaculate...ltod of equipment to use

Positive experience: Comfortable, clean facility. Friendly staff. Great location. Good equipment, pool, indoor track, etc. Everything you need for a good workout.

Fantastic experience: Clean... Great gym great equipment... It's always clean in the staff is absolutely wonderful

Positive experience: Decent gym. Usually nice folks working there.

Fantastic experience: Merritt is more expensive than your Golds or Planet Fitness but it’s truly worth it. I usually go early morning and never have to wait for a machine. I also participate in the fitness classes— let me tell you. They are welcoming, fun, sometimes painful (in a good way haha), and completely worth it. Locker rooms are always clean, front staff always speaks and are also helpful. If you are on the fence - sign up!

Negative experience: They ask members to come teach sick and put their lives in danger. Was told teach in a mask while having Covid.

Fantastic experience: Go for physical therapy and if your looking for outstanding therapist this is the place. It's called Nova Care, and the gym is fantastic also that work for Merritt.

Fantastic experience: Expensive but lovely. My daughter and I particularly love the rooftop pool in the summer.

Fantastic experience: The pool Attendant was extremely courteous and informative

Fantastic experience: Nice gym- the indoor track is a great feature especially when the weather is not great. Lots of standard equipment and one indoor racquet court which is nice. The pool seems nice though I've not used it. Spacious locker rooms. *Edit Jan 2023* still as great as ever if a bit crowded (typical January gym!). The parking behind the building is clutch! Don't forget to check there if you can't find a spot

Fantastic experience: Between this location, the one in Federal Hill, and the one in Canton, I find this one the most practical. It is the biggest gym in town. The women's locker room is not fancy but always clean and well-kept. The studios and other multi-functional rooms are well equipped. The instructors at this location are among the friendliest and less intimidating ones I have worked with. In terms of parking, they are accommodating enough to validate the tickets you get from the Baltimore Sun's garage. The customers are more diverse in age and fitness level than the nearby locations, making the atmosphere more laid-back. All in all, great location with great staff.

Fantastic experience: Merritt - DAC Personal trainer I’ve read the books. “Weight Training for Dummies” and “Women Food and God.” Had a yearslong subscription to “Self.” I tried to apply what I learned to my own journey to lose weight and tone up, but I was left with questions about the practical application in my own exercise routine. Would workouts for me on the elliptical be as effective as a run on the treadmill? Should I use free weights or machines to get the best results? How exactly do I build up the strength to do a proper push up? Keith DeMoura knew the answers to each of my questions, but it wasn’t just his knowledge that was impressive. He listened to me. He acknowledged my frustrations and carefully considered a solution. Keith is an excellent conversationalist – no awkward silences – and no judgment. Perhaps most important, though, Keith came up with an individualized workout plan for me and my body. Applying his advice, I'm down 6 pounds this month, which is about 4 percent of my body weight. My clothes fit better. My confidence is up and I am pumped to keep going. I am glad to have Keith to help guide me. He is well worth the investment.

Fantastic experience: I am definitely a huge fan of the Group Fitness classes offered not only at the Downtown Athletic Club, but also the other Merritt locations. The instructors have a lot a drive and provide the best encouragement, which makes the classes fun and exciting. I am very happy with my choice of being a member and really love the fact that there are so many choices. Getting back into shape has never been more exciting!

Fantastic experience: I love that it is a repurposed old train station b/c it forces them to use the space creatively. It has every amenity that you could ask for. I also like that they keep the equipment up to date

Fantastic experience: Tons of equipment never have to wait for something to be open. The friendliest staff of any gym I’ve been too. Ms.Kathleen, Jeremey , Becca, Jermill, all are awesome people. always kind and a pleasure to talk to. I’ve been to most gyms in Baltimore and the staff at downtown Merritt is by far the best

Fantastic experience: Cameron is an awesome physical therapist that care about your well being.

Fantastic experience: I went for therapy the therapist place was very nice

Fantastic experience: My favorite workout location. It has everything you need to get your body fit. All except no teens are allowed but they have a basketball court available.

Fantastic experience: By leaps and bounds the best gym I've been to: 1. In an old train station 2. very clean 3. very quiet 4. best staff 5. indoor track (albeit a oddly short) 6. indoor pool They just need to increase their overnight hours, most people aren't just awake overnight monday-thursday.

Fantastic experience: I was pretty impressed by all the equipment they had and classes still pretty pricey but if I get the results it's worth it

Fantastic experience: This gym is great. Friendly staff, clean gym, nice equipment. I would like to put extra emphasis on the cleanliness of the gym. I’ve never seen a cleaner gym and the guy who is always cleaning at the gym, Francisco I think, is a super hard worker. Anytime I’m in the gym I always see this man working extra hard to keep this place as clean as it can possibly be. Shoutout to Merritt and Francisco! Please let him know his hard work doesn’t go unnoticed and is very appreciated.

Fantastic experience: Excellent Fitness Club! I look forward to and enjoying going to this facility. It is within walking distance of my home.

Fantastic experience: As a member since 1984, I know that this a great place for all! I am a Senior now and the DAC continues to meet my needs! Great staff in an Historic Building...

Fantastic experience: I joined last month while training for a Tri and this location had everything I needed. If you are serious about getting a good workout in, then this is the place to come to...

Fantastic experience: Solid gym with pool. Rarely crowded. Great people working there.

Fantastic experience: As a member since 1984, I know that this a great place for all! I am a Senior now and the DAC continues to meet my needs! Great staff in an Historic Building...

Fantastic experience: It's clean, and the machine are laid out spaciously. Employees are friendly. There is parking next to the building, and if parking is full, the gym will validate parking for the neighboring parking garage.

Fantastic experience: My favorite workout location. It has everything you need to get your body fit. All except no teens are allowed but they have a basketball court available.

Fantastic experience: This is actually a great place to work out even to get a piece of mind. There's a lot of space , also a basketball court with multiple different training areas with tons of equipment literally !

Fantastic experience: Always clean and a wonderful experience. The personnel are oh so very welcoming and cheerful. I always feel wonderful during my visits there

Positive experience: Ok gym but not worth the $99 per month I pay. (Apparently that was a special deal) For the 3rd week or more so far one of the stair masters is still broken. The staff isn’t especially friendly or inviting at least not for the amount we pay. If I wanted a McDonalds energy when I walked into the gym I could have stayed at LA fitness. I left LA fitness for this exact reason. No perks available even though I recommended free masks for people who forgot them so they wouldn’t have to turn around and go get one and that wasn’t satisfied because of the cost year here we are paying at least $99 a month. This gym could afford to improve. No one is helpful or polite and it’s not running well enough to pay what I pay. I’m considering just going back to LA fitness. At least I would only pay around $35 a month.

Positive experience: Ok gym but not worth the $99 per month I pay. (Apparently that was a special deal) For the 3rd week or more so far one of the stair masters is still broken. The staff isn’t especially friendly or inviting at least not for the amount we pay. If I wanted a McDonalds energy when I walked into the gym I could have stayed at LA fitness. I left LA fitness for this exact reason. No perks available even though I recommended free masks for people who forgot them so they wouldn’t have to turn around and go get one and that wasn’t satisfied because of the cost year here we are paying at least $99 a month. This gym could afford to improve. No one is helpful or polite and it’s not running well enough to pay what I pay. I’m considering just going back to LA fitness. At least I would only pay around $35 a month.

Fantastic experience: Great location. Plenty of parking. All the equipment you need and never feels pack. Great staff.

Fantastic experience: The best gym every , very pleasant and relaxing wouldn't change to any other place...

Fantastic experience: There's a hot tub a whirlpool in a sauna and plenty of space

Fantastic experience: Good selection of equipment. Plenty of space for physical distance. Really clean and nice locker rooms. Friendly staff

Fantastic experience: Your gym may be the last thing on y our mind during COVID, but I have begun checking it out again, and this Merritt location is absolutely making every effort to keep members safe. I skip the locker room entirely, but the spacious workout areas are distanced and with plenty of santitizer at the ready. The staff is relentlessly friendly, which can't always be easy for them right now. I am cautious and conservative when it comes to my choices during the pandemic, and I can honestly say I feel safe at this location - and getting physical again has helped my mental outlook quite a lot.

Fantastic experience: I've been using the Merritt Downtown Club for over three years now and I'm very pleased with the facilities. I generally go during the early afternoon I'm always able to use the equipment for my routines when I need it. They take COVID seriously and implement and enforce the necessary precautions. The staff has always been friendly and helpful.

Fantastic experience: Merritt DAC has basically everything you could need for a good workout. And I say this as someone who lifts competitively! Typically health clubs don't have the kind of equipment I need and DAC has it all! Plus, they've been so amazing with distanced machines, masking, and cleaning during COVID! Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Positive: Communication , Professionalism , Quality Great place to workout. Staff is friendly. Plenty of space to social distance.

Fantastic experience: Such a great club! I really appreciate the distanced equipment, makes me feel a lot safer going in, and the pool is quite nice (it is 20 yards, not 25, but you just do 5/4 the lengths). Nice track, lifting equipment, and studios for yoga, boxing, etc. Staff is very friendly and always calls me by name in the morning which I appreciate a lot!

Fantastic experience: I like my membership so far. When will the gyms have basketball again?

Fantastic experience: Merritt DAC is a professionally run gym with great instructors for their classes, up to date, modern well maintained exercise equipment and a very spacious uncrowded facility. The membership is extremely diverse-young, old, brown, white, black, Asian-a truly integrated, friendly and congenial atmosphere.

Fantastic experience: Awesome gym! Huge facility with tons of weightlifting equipment. Free parking even though it's located downtown.

Fantastic experience: Excellent fitness classes! Outstanding equipment! Worthwhile facilities!

Fantastic experience: Great gym, friendly staff, super clean, all the facilities and perks you're looking for in a gym.

Fantastic experience: The DAC is my home away from home. The membership is diverse, the group fitness classes are challenging, the facility is clean, and the location is convenient. I'm a FAN!

Positive experience: Been a member now for almost nine months. The downtown club is a great facility. They have a great range of fun classes with excellent instructors. Only issue has been with confusion around my membership account and billing. It took a while but they seem to have fixed the issues.

Fantastic experience: Great place to be

Positive experience: This is a good gym. I like the Fort Ave location as well. I haven’t visited the others yet because I’m new to the area and new to this gym. The staff at Fort Ave is a little more friendly and helpful. Downtown didn’t give me a tour or show me anything when I first signed up and they aren’t as friendly and welcoming but still very good customer service in that they keep things clean and organized and still cordial. My only gripe is that they don’t provide masks at Merritt Club. I’m vaccinated and they require masks which is fine because everyone still isn’t vaccinated (idk why) but I forget to bring a mask sometimes and I have to leave and go to a convenience store and spend money to also buy a mask that I won’t even be able to use after my workout. I emailed about it and they said it was cost related but I look at the number of people who go to the gym and I know my rate isn’t even the highest and I pay $99 a month so it seems kind of ridiculous not to have a bulk order of masks for people who forget them (most people don’t. I haven’t forgotten mine the last 3 times I went) but it would be nice to have them there if you do. I know other gyms don’t charge as much and they provide masks. As great as this gym is it felt insulting to hear they can’t provide masks (if needed) because of cost. Hopefully this gets to someone higher up and this is reconsidered. It would make this gym even more quality. This isn’t just the downtown location that does this to my knowledge but this is the one I use the most. When they provide masks if needed, I’ll make this 5 stars. I really resent having to walk up 2 blocks to go buy a mask on those busy days when I’m forgetful before my workout it kind of messes up the vibes and good energy of my workout too.

Fantastic experience: Great equipment

Positive experience: It's a really gym with great staff. However, tge "premium gym" features that were suspended during the pandemic never got reinstated. So Merritt is essentially operating as a high quality standard gym while charging premium gym prices.

Fantastic experience: Great for eye candy

Fantastic experience: Good Gym, Clean, and best of all ............. ON A CYCLE TRACK! Loved biking to the gym.

Positive experience: I haven't been back to this gym since the pandemic, but previous to that, I was a member for a year. I liked this gym and all of the amenities. There was gym equipment you could find along every hall and all types of classes. I was a big fan of the indoor track, but on hot summer days, it felt like the A/C would only cool one corner of the loop, making the rest of the run really uncomfortable. The locker rooms were clean and everyone was really nice. Price was a little high but manageable of you have the extra income. The only reason I left was because I couldn't see myself going back to the gym during the pandemic, even with safety protocols.

Fantastic experience: very convenient, easy to keep social distance