Local gyms keeping clients fit through online classes

The coronavirus pandemic has changed not only the way in which we work, shop and educate our kids, but also how we work out. 

Over the past several weeks, two local gyms have turned to online fitness classes as the world continues social distancing, and they’ve delivered. 

Jayme Smid, who owns and operates  Brandon’s Anytime Fitness, was one of the first local fitness gurus to offer virtual training sessions. 

“We’re still doing some stuff in the gym, but we started using Zoom on March 22,” she said. “We’ve got about four to five different training offerings a day.”

Clients are signing up for sessions on the gym’s website as usual, but now they have the option of choosing “in person” or “online.” 

Smid said the online classes, which are offered from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., have become very popular.

“It’s a good way for the trainer to connect with the client,” she said. “We are still able to get that face-to-face meeting, we can correct on their form, we can help push them and hold them accountable. So it’s a good all-around offering, instead of just sending them a recording of the workout and hoping that they do it in their free time.”

Each session has been drawing 10 to 15 participants, on average, Smid said. 

Anytime Fitness is a national chain, but Smid took it upon herself to give Brandon area clients the online class opportunity. 

“We just decided to offer it because so many clients have been working for so long to reach their goals,” she said. “We didn’t want this to be a setback where all of a sudden that routine kind of crumbled.”

Modifying the routines to cater to clients at home has been interesting, too, Smid said, with people using random objects for weights, like cat litter and even small pets.

“This whole thing has definitely forced us to get kind of creative with technology,” she added.

People can sign up and learn more on the Brandon Anytime Fitness website or Facebook page.

Amplify Fitness, also in Brandon, has also offered several online classes during the coronavirus pandemic and plans to continue, owner Travis Osterloo said last week.

Both gyms remain open and are following the CDC’s recommendation to limit the number of people in the facility to 10 or fewer.