TO GYM OR NOT TO GYM…..

TO GYM OR NOT TO GYM — that will be the question

How are we all doing in these changing Corona times. We have seen the gradual re-opening of retail parks, and now pubs and wait with eager anticipation for the gyms to finally be allowed back into the public domain but how will it all work? How will we find the changes that will have to be imposed in order to stay safe?

So what will happen? We pretty much know the following will take place:-

• Class and gym numbers will have to drop in order to keep some sort of social distancing but how far apart can gyms get people to be?
• Gyms no doubt will have to have an in and and out, but will it be a one way system, could this work?
• Changing rooms and toilets — how will that work with bigger leisure centres? Queuing no doubt with the appropriate floor marked spaces for us all to stand on.
• Using water machines to replenish your water — will these continue to be used?
• How will it be possible to keep on top of the cleaning of all equipment — between each class? Will customers have to be ready to do a fair bit of cleaning up before and after their session and bring their own mats?

One of the hardest things with fitness classes for any business is to avoid ‘no shows’. Will fitness facilities need to take a harsher stance and charge if people don’t show when there are limited spaces?

With the best will in the world, even with classes coming back onto the timetable, how easy will it be to get into them. Will there be some sort of control system to enable you to book three a week for example to enable everyone to get in but having said all this, how many gym goers want to get back? How many are now getting used to doing online workouts in the comfort of their own home, with no worry of catching any bugs off people.

For me, I’ve completely adapted now to teaching online as most of my clients are in the higher risk category therefore won’t be feeling like returning to the normal hall based sessions that I teach for quite sometime, possibly even into next year, until we can see the outcome of the winter months.

There are obviously pros and cons to all of this, but the biggest pro I would say is the fact that they are now doing more classes which they weren’t doing before, and we have managed to continue to keep our community strong, giving a support line to all who are part of Viva.

I know we are creatures that need love, need contact, need to feel supported and not alone, and although there is a buzz for seeing people face to face, for me at present online works and will continue to do so as zoom enables us to see and chat with people. If anything, I think we are making more time to chat than we used to. I’m not sure I’m ready to jump back into working out with larger groups of people not because I don’t love it, I do, but it’s the possibility of a positive COVID person turning up in a class and then you are set back for a couple of weeks in isolation and also impacting others in your social bubble.

We all have to do what is right for ourselves but having the capability now to do classes at times that work for my clients and me and being able to offer more variety of classes that possibly I couldn’t do so before is great. Also the potential to do workshops and positively impact more peoples lives, not just those in my locality is exciting.

Change has to be embraced not feared. It needs to be a constant process of moving forward not backward. We can’t cling onto the past in whatever we do. Variety is the spice of life, even if you are at first reluctant to move with the changing times.

So back to planning, looking at making the most of a continually changing situation. Don’t look back, keeping looking forward and growing and I’m hear to help with your health if you need it.

Have a great day.