Local gyms, studios going digital to keep Kamloops active during pandemic

“We kind of got ahead of things. Even before we had to actually close, we were trying to think outside the box a little bit of what we could offer. Because some people were getting a little more timid than others right from the get-go,” says Kent Aitchison. “So this will actually be, I think today is our 30th day in a row of doing some kind of online class.”

It may have taken some experimenting with technology and troubleshooting at the start, but daily online Zoom classes have become a regular routine for the Aitchisons — and several other gym owners in town.

“The most I think we’ve had is like 60-to-70 people online at one time, which is pretty cool,” he notes. “We’re averaging somewhere in the mid 40’s per session.”

Purchasing a lighting kit and wireless headsets have boosted the production quality of the streams, and now the Aitchisons have worked out a way for Kent to be coaching the class while Carlee demonstrates the exercise for viewers to mimic.

“Right off the bat, the very first one was maybe a bit hiccupy, but then Kent called one of the people that did it and got some feedback,” says Carlee. “So we changed things right away based on what they told us.”

Some studios centered around a specific exercises have made sure members can access the equipment needed. TCSC has dropped off dumbbell weights and resistance bands to its members to borrow, while K Spin Indoor Cycling Studio has delivered its bikes for monthly rental use at home.

K Spin Co-Owner Samantha Gibson says they figured that would be an easy way to keep people pedaling once their studio time was postponed.

“We have 22 (spin bikes) in total, so we have one left at the studio to do virtual classes here. And then the rest are gone.”

A lone spin bike sits in the once full K Spin studio (Image Credit: Adam Donnelly / CFJC Today)

Gibson says several members have purchased spin bikes of their own, and the owner of Ladies Only in Kamloops also chipped in and lent out seven bikes to K Spin clients.

Now that the in-person aspect of fitness classes isn’t possible, Gibson says a large focus for instructors has been building up the online community presence and keeping the class energy up despite no “studio audience”.

“We’ve had quite a few nurses who have reached out to us just saying the pre-recorded classes have been great for them because it gives them a way to de-stress,” she notes. “They’re obviously not able to tune into the live classes, but it’s been a way for them to de-stress, kind of get out of their own heads, and still maintain that community atmosphere.”

K Spin is providing the virtual classes through Zoom, and Gibson says they’ll be streaming videos from the MindBody app once the service is set up.

While solitary outdoor activities like jogging, hiking or biking are always available, gym owners say online classes are a great option right now. Most note that if clients know someone else is watching, it motivates them to work a little harder than if they were alone.

Since closing his gym three weeks ago, Greg Kozoris with Acceleration Kozoris Strength and Conditioning has been offering videos, PDF diagrams, and workout plans for clients and the public.

“The best response has been from videos that people can do at home,” he explains. “(They can) follow along, take a look at it, and do it with what we call “what have you” — and find something in the garage. We got pretty creative. Tie-downs, jerry cans, stones, things that people don’t have, and then of course into people with home gyms.”

Greg Kozoris and his staff at Acceleration have kept up client training, and opened their videos to the public for free. (Image Credit: Adam Donnelly / CFJC Today)

Athlete-designed programs have moved to an online format as well. Kozoris and his training staff regularly work with athletes from all different sports on varying levels, including professional hockey players and TRU WolfPack student athletes.

“I miss walking through and saying hello to people during different times in the day, and seeing people. That brings me nothing but joy,” he says. “You come in and see the human body doing that, and people caring about what they’re doing as far as their own health and fitness goes. From the pro athlete to just general health and fitness, from the kid to aging populations.”

Membership rates at most gyms have been frozen entirely, or heavily discounted to reflect the reduced service. For Kozoris, and all those others who have built their livelihoods on getting people active, they say right now it’s about staying healthy over making a profit.

“The driven keep the drive, and some of the others, they fall back. So I just want to encourage everybody just to move,” says Kozoris, “Workouts are free; it doesn’t cost anything. So on our Instagram and Facebook page, there’s free workouts posted. Please use them.”

by Dylana Kneeshaw

Local gyms, studios going digital to keep Kamloops active during pandemic

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