Barre Kamloops has exclusively gone online with the recent restriction on in-person fitness classes (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

FITNESS CLASSES

Kamloops fitness studios, gymnastics club adjusting to new orders that shut down in-person activities

Nov 25, 2020 | 5:31 PM

KAMLOOPS — Jenni Manninen is leading a class at Barre Kamloops, but it’s virtual. It’s the only option for the studio after the latest B.C. health orders that shut down all in-person fitness classes.

“We basically made the swap from in-studio to fully live-streaming all of our classes,” said co-founder of Barre Kamloops Geralyn Alain. “We’re still running. But that said, there’s nothing quite like being in-studio with your community.”

It’s been a frustrating eight months for the studio owners, who’ve had to deal with a couple closures during the pandemic. What is even more disappointing is how these latest orders came down.

“There was no real formal announcement. The shifts just happened on the website and we all found out from each other, not really from any sort of official, which is frustrating,” said Alain.

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A lack of communication incited the same frustrations for the Kamloops Gymnastics and Trampoline Club (KGTC), which found out about the orders online as well.

“One of our staff members, their family member had been watching the provincial order page and suddenly there was just an update,” said KGTC general manager Jennifer Lyster. “There was no notification to viaSport, there was no notification to Gymnastics BC.”

The club had initially understood from Dr. Bonnie Henry that sporting activities could continue until new guidelines were put in place. Now it’s another waiting game to see how it can proceed.

“Yesterday caught us all a bit off guard and we weren’t anticipating the closure right away,” noted Lyster. “But they’ve since done an update today, saying it’ll probably be Nov. 30 the new guidelines come down. At that time, we’ll get to work on our safety plan and get training done with our staff, so we can get started as soon as possible.”

For Barre Kamloops, they will continue with online classes, but the owners aren’t sure how long they can go if the orders remain in place for the long term.

“At what point do you pull the pin?” asked Alain.

“But I think we’re committed to stay open as long as we possibly can, and our community supporting us by attending live-stream classes and supporting us whatever way they can is really crucial to us staying afloat.”