Today I want to talk about getting back into group fitness post-pandemic. I know that we cannot say that the pandemic is over but many restrictions have been lifted for vaccinated individuals per the CDC’s guidance earlier in May. Here in North Carolina, our governor lifted our indoor mask mandate which means that vaccinated people can now go maskless in gyms and fitness studios. Over the last couple of weeks, I have encountered so many people in class who are there for the first time in over a year now that they are vaccinated and the mask mandate is lifted. There is so much to navigate when it comes to group fitness on the other side of the shutdown and restrictions.
First, I want to acknowledge that working out in a mask is no joke. I can’t believe that I taught in one for the majority of an entire year. I’m not going to sugar coat it, it was terrible and I’m glad it’s over. Huge props to you guys for navigating fitness during this challenging time with Zoom workouts, home workouts and masked workouts. It was A LOT. And not easy to stay consistent or motivated.
It’s understandable that you might be feeling and experiencing a broad range of emotions right now when it comes to group fitness and I want to share some tips and thoughts to support you.
MEET YOURSELF WHERE YOU ARE, AND DON’T JUDGE YOURSELF
Whether you haven’t set foot in a group fitness studio or gym in a year or you feel like you’ve lost fitness through masked workouts, it’s all good, it’s all understandable and there is nothing to feel worried, stressed or ashamed about.
I can promise you that there is nothing that you are feeling that someone else isn’t. All of us are trying to figure out what the new normal is and what life (and fitness) looks like on the other side of a rather traumatizing year.
You are perfect exactly where you are today. Don’t compare where you are today to where you were pre-pandemic. Please show up for class and for yourself. Open arms are waiting.
KEEP WEARING YOUR MASK IF THAT FEELS RIGHT FOR YOU
Once the state of North Carolina lifted our mask mandate, the studio owners that I work for gave us the green light to go maskless in class if we were vaccinated. Some of us did a happy dance and others shared that they felt more comfortable continuing to wear a mask, even if vaccinated.
Maybe you feel okay without a mask but still want some distance. I recommend taking classes at off-peak times where you have the freedom to spread out more. If you don’t know when those are, call the studio. They can give you guidance.
TAKE IT SLOW AND GIVE YOURSELF GRACE
While I have been teaching, filming classes and working out through the pandemic, I haven’t been taking classes as a participant…mostly because of masks. I took my first full hour-long hot yoga class in-person last Sunday morning from a friend of mine and HOLY CRAP…it humbled me. I was wiped out afterwards and so sore the next day. There is just something different about being in the studio and taking in-person classes from a teacher that takes it to the next level.
Take breaks when you need to. Be okay with using lighter weights in a strength class, taking the lower option in a cardio class or skipping chaturangas in a yoga class. You will build your strength, endurance and flexibility back up with time. Don’t jeopardize injuring yourself in the process.
LEAN INTO COMMUNITY
I wholeheartedly believe that the biggest impact that COVID had on group fitness was the loss of community. As someone who already tends to be introverted and opts to stay at home over being out and social regularly, this was an easy downward spiral for me.
Recently, I’ve come to realize how much I miss the connection and community that I had pre-COVID and I’m taking actionable steps to remedy that. I am adding more classes to my teaching schedule and have goals to get back into a groove of taking classes as well and I’m working on being present at the studios where I work.
We can build this community back but it will take time, effort and vulnerability. There’s one thing that I know for sure…the work will be worth it. There are no friends like my yogi friends. <3
SUPPORT LOCAL STUDIOS AND TEACHERS
Like many small businesses, yoga studios and gyms have really struggled through the pandemic…and so have their employees. Most of us had classes and/or pay cut and are working hard to rebuild our teaching schedules and class attendance. If you love group fitness, come back! We miss you and desperately want to rebuild what we had pre-COVID.
QUESTIONS
Talk to me about how you feel about getting back to group fitness. Are you taking classes or going to the gym? Are you excited or apprehensive? What’s your biggest worry/concern?
Powerful topic – I haven’t done much throughout the last year, but am finally feeling comfortable getting back out there and cannot wait to feel the sense of community at group classes again. Thoughtful piece 🙂 All the best!
Thanks Lauren! Have fun getting back to it!
I took an in-studio barre class the Saturday in March before everything shut down. In hindsight maybe I wouldn’t have done that had I understood more at the time about how COVID-19 spreads, but it was so a part of my routine and how I mentally dealt that day with the world as we knew it crumbling.
That physical studio closed after that weekend only offering Zoom and later outdoor classes. I took my first outdoor class this past Saturday now that I’m fully vaccinated and it was EVERYTHING to be back moving in-person with the community. I’m proud I learned how to have a consistent routine with home workouts and feel it’s something I’ll still do. At the same time I’m super excited to not have every workout for the foreseeable future be solo. I am so, so thankful for group fitness!
Love this comment Meredith. I think a blend of home workouts and group classes is an awesome way to go for most people!
I got into Peloton early last year and cannot imagine going back to in-person group EX. Masks weren’t enforced in my area so I never worked out in one, but I can’t imagine!
Okay side note- what do the long leggings over the heel do? Does it help with grip or something?
I think it’s so interesting that some people are so happy working out at home and some really thrive in the group environment. There’s not a right or wrong but it’s fascinating! It was wild to see how many people got Pelotons during the pandemic. I’m so interested to see what the long-term use/retention will be!
No function for the leggings over the heels. lululemon’s full-length tights are long on me because I have short legs and it’s been a “thing” in the yoga world for years to wear leggings hooked over your heels if they’re long. Some companies even make them intentionally long with cut out holes/hooks for your heels! Check this out! https://www.aloyoga.com/collections/goddess/over-the-heel
I’ll mention that I was a group fitness instructor for YEARS and continued taking group classes right up to Pandemic time, but I feel like I outgrew the love of exercising with others? If you had asked me 10 or 20 years ago if I’d be able to work out at home, I would have laughed at you. Group EX was my life! Part of it is the AWFUL spin instructors I encountered here in Phoenix and some really crowded yoga classes… people’s sweat gettin on me? No way.
Thank you for starting this conversation with your readers. I haven’t been back to group fitness of any kind since March 2020 and although I’ll be fully vaccinated in a few days, it still scares me to be indoors working out maskless. The yoga studio that I used to go to – honestly I slowed down attending because it was always crowded there and I’ve been receiving emails and texts from them saying: all restrictions lifted! I’m so happy to start getting back to normal. I’m a group fitness kind of gal and even though I started working out at home in November 2019 (who knew I was ahead of my time?) and have been grateful for all the resources I’ve utilized the last year, I do very much miss the in person community and experience. I’m just not ready to jump back in head first. I need to dip a toe in, and then a foot. So I’ll do outdoor classes first, then workouts indoors with a mask on, then no mask but not crowded classes. We will see how it goes!
What I meant to say was I started not attending that old studio before the pandemic because it was always so crowded. And now that they’re back to normal, that freaks me out and also doesn’t encourage me to get my zen on.
You’re welcome Nikki. I understand what you are saying about the yoga studio. Here in Charlotte, we have quite a few studios where people are literally packed in (I’ve taught/teach at some of them) and even pre-pandemic there were some people who loved it and some who did not like it at all. Totally understandable that it’s not your thing. I think your plan to ease in sounds super reasonable and approachable.
My state hasn’t lifted any indoor mandate so its all the same here. Hopefully soon
Ahhhh. I’m sorry. Where are you?
Great post, this is on my mind too! I did a few outdoor + masked group fitness classes during the pandemic, but I just returned to indoor group fitness in the last few weeks. It is AMAZING, the amount of energy and joy I get from working out together with people and not just alone on a yoga mat in my living room. So, so grateful to be back out there.
I went to a group HIIT class the other day, my first one in a year. I took it really easy and did a number of the exercises bodyweight instead of using weights like I would have previously. And I was so sore for days afterwards! Humbling is right. I’m reminding myself that my body just lived through a pandemic and it doesn’t need to be punished or “whipped back into shape”, so I’m just trying to honor it and find more strength in it. <3
Thanks for your response, Meg. I so agree with you on the energy. While I love and appreciate the option to workout at home, it’s just not the same! I feel you on the HIIT class modifications and the soreness. I adore what you said about your body not deserving to punished and honoring/finding strength. So lovely. <3
This is a really interesting/hard question. I don’t know that I’ll ever go back to the overpacked boutique classes, to be honest (mostly thinking of Orangetheory, here). They were always too crowded, the ventilation was so terrible, and the culture of “no days off” encouraged tons of people to show up sick, which meant the rest of us caught the local “thing,” too. I LOVED not being sick at all this past year, and I just can’t stomach the thought of going back to that exhausting cycle. It was a little better when I started working out with a trainer in a huge gym (precovid), so that will probably be something I go back to eventually. It’s hard, because I understand that the fitness industry is in a tight spot, but I feel like some culture changes are needed before I’m ready to return.
I just got back into it too! My first body pump class was a huge challenge and I was upset at first but accepted it and after a few weeks back in I feel stronger already.
I was totally comfortable in group ex without a mask. It took me a little longer with yoga there is a lot of exhale and deep breathing that just made me not 100% confident. But I put my trust in science and faith in others for doing the right thing.
I still wear my mask when I am with my kids so I set a good example since they need it for school and camps still.
So glad to have group ex back!!
hi Jen. Great, timely post. I am VERY grateful that my Crossfit gym did everything possible to keep our community together during the pandemic. In the beginning of the pandemic, they loaned out all the equipment to members and offered multiple Zoom classes throughout the day and a daily video demonstrating proper technique of each move. Last summer, (in NJ) they were able to offer outdoor classes with everyone masked up. Zoom classes were still possible. Once we had to move indoors with the cold weather, we continued to wear masks and wipe down all equipment after each class. The facility was cleaned constantly. We are all excited to have the option of not wearing masks this Friday – especially with the yearly ‘Murph’ workout planned on Memorial Day. Being able to maintain my exercise routine and see friends was so vital to my mental well being this year. Thank you too for sharing yours and Finn’s life with all of us. I truly look forward to each post!
Thank you Jen, your words are inspiring and encouraging!
Similar to Susan I was able to engage in a variety of online, outdoor and socially distanced and masked indoor workouts at my CrossFit gym, also in NJ. I know it’s uncomfortable to wear a mask and still a risk to be indoors with other masked people but it was important for my mental and physical health. I commend the gym owners for their flexibility, patience and outreach to the community. Shoutout to Morristown Fitness!
I also teach yoga and taught in a mask up until 2 weeks ago when I was fully vaccinated and most students were too. I still put my mask on when I circulate the room or walk past a yogi. I try to stick to my zone and use clear language when cueing. Honestly I didn’t think the mask was that bad, especially knowing I was protecting my students and myself.
The lifted mask mandates make me nervous and I plan to keep wearing mine despite being fully vaccinated. I think there’s something to be said for modeling healthy behavior. Knowing there are people in our community who cannot get vaccinated or still remain at risk I consider it a small inconvenience and a show of respect to mask up at times ? ultimately I want to trust that other people are making the safe, smart and respectful decision with all this. And above all I’m excited we’re able to get back together and be active!
Pamela – I’m a primary care doctor – love and appreciate your comment about reasons you’ll keep wearing a mask! I completely feel the same way and really appreciate how you expressed it!
Jen – I also really appreciate your thoughtful post!
Glad we are making progress 🙂