It seriously blows my mind to think that it’s been almost 5 months since I’ve taught or taken a fitness class IRL. How crazy is that? I personally have always preferred group fitness classes to solo workouts. I also can’t think of the last time I worked out at home prior to the pandemic. It was quite a few years ago! Adjusting to working out at home has honestly been weird for me and something I never thought I’d do. But here we are.
I still definitely prefer the community of a group fitness class. I also DEFINITELY prefer having a designated place for working out vs. my kitchen counter. But like so many things during these pandemic times, I’m making it work!
I thought I’d give a little update on what’s been working for me. I’d also love to hear from you! How has adjusting to working out at home been for you? (Or maybe it wasn’t an adjustment at all! I’m sure for some people they think I’m annoying whining about how much I miss an IRL yoga or barre class when they’ve also been a fan of at-home workouts.)
[for the record no, I don’t work out in my jean shorts. Took these photos in the new apartment as a joke 🤪]
What’s Working For Me:
Zoom classes
At the beginning of the pandemic, I took advantage of a free trial membership with Obé. Obé offers an extensive library of both streaming and live workouts. There’s a ton of variety in formats, ranging from cardio dance classes to yoga sculpt. The instructors are super fun and I enjoyed the classes I took. Most of the classes are only 28-minutes which I loved.
I was REALLY struggling with motivation, though. 20 minutes into a 28-minute workout I’d be over it. Which hey, there’s nothing wrong with ditching a workout early if you’re no longer feeling it, but I personally was struggling to both motivate myself to tune-in and finish the workout. Even though I know I feel my best when I get some movement in my day, I was struggling to show up.
Luckily one of the studios I teach at, Bar Method – Noho, started offering Zoom classes a few weeks into the pandemic. My studio also offers classes on IGTV and Instagram Live if that’s more your jam.
I can still remember the first time I took a Zoom class. I honestly started crying. At the time everything was feeling SO different in my life, and hearing one of my favorite instructor’s voice on Zoom just felt comforting.
Zoom classes have been a gamechanger for me. I love that it’s at a set time which gives me some structure to my day.
I like that in a Zoom class someone is watching me and keeping me accountable. Also to be completely blunt, it just feels good to be seen on Zoom when I’m not interacting with a ton of people on a daily basis besides my doorman and the barista at Starbucks. Chatting with my co-workers and clients before class brings me so much joy. I find it really motivating to know that we’re all “making it work” and working out at our kitchen counter.
Sticking to what’s familiar
As I said above, for the most part, the only workouts I’ve been doing are Bar Method classes via Zoom. Prior to the pandemic I was pretty much only taking Bar Method classes, too, plus a few yoga classes a week.
At first, I had fun trying new-to-me workouts — OMG there are so many options to take advantage of right now! But then I was craving the familiar during a time when nothing feels familiar. And that to me is The Bar Method. Even though it’s weird to be doing crazy seat work at my kitchen counter instead of an actual barre, there’s something comforting to me about knowing all the moves because I’ve done them oh so many times.
[I should also mention that it also helps that I can take Bar Method classes for free since I’m an instructor at the studio. Even if it wasn’t free I’d personally would still prefer Zoom Bar Method classes over other options right now since it’s my workout class of choice.]
AM workouts
I’ve always been an AM workout person, but there was a hot second in March where I toyed with the idea of working out in the evening. At the time I was really struggling to get out of bed at a reasonable hour. Delaying my workout to the PM meant I was more likely to not skip it — this was also before I started doing Zoom workouts.
I’m now back to AM workouts and it’s definitely what works for me. It’s how I like to start the day and then I can go forth and conquer whatever else it is that I need to do.
Some thoughts on going forward:
I was hoping there would be a lot more distanced, outdoor workouts in NYC this summer. From my research, it seems there are a few happening in Central Park or Brooklyn, but neither is really feasible for me to get to since I personally am not taking the subway or cabs just yet.
I’m excited to attend a [distanced] 305 Fitness cardio dance class in Bryant Park this weekend. I will also definitely be taking a rooftop yoga class with VeraYoga before summer is over. I
Until fitness studios and gyms open back up in NYC, though, it looks like I’ll be sticking to barre at my kitchen counter.
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