CLEVELAND — Now more than ever it can be hard to get into a good fitness routine. The closure of gyms and fitness studios across the state has left many people without a big part of their daily routines. Not only is exercise good for your physical health, but it’s also an important stress reliever for your mental well-being as well.
While you may not be able to go to the gym or your group fitness classes in person for the foreseeable future, many local companies have turned to offering virtual options.
Some of these options are streamed live with instructors leading classes through a virtual portal, such as Zoom (check their website for details, as some may require a registration to hold your spot - much like going into the studio). Others are pre-recorded sessions that are left to be viewed at-will through their company website and/or social media channels.
The fitness studio GrooveRyde is even looking to get the whole family at home moving. Their Digital Studio class GrooveRyde P.E. aims to get kids involved in the action who are home from school and no longer have gym class or Spring sports. “The class is led by Jacqui Middleton, one of our certified CrossFit kids coaches. It is 30 minutes of bodyweight exercises for the whole family. Classes stream live via Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We’re suggesting for parents to add this to their Tuesday and Thursday schedule,” says co-founder Zosimo Maximo.
Like many other virtual classes, GrooveRyde P.E. is free, but a $5 donation per household is an optional addition. “The funds will be allocated to our Teachers Fund we started to help income coming in for our instructors who teach for a living or have lost their full-time jobs,” Maximo continued. Their Digital Studio can be found on their website here.
Cleveland State University is offering various workouts through their Virtual Rec! video series ranging from core and cardio options to lower and total body workouts. They are posting new videos four to five times per week on their website here.
Jodi & Michael Meilstrup, who are Head Coaches and co-owners of CrossFit I/O in Cleveland Heights, not only host live stream classes, but are even helping supply their members with workout equipment. "Our gym may have physically closed, but CrossFit I/O is alive and kicking," says Jodi. "We started an equipment loan program to our members so they won't be at home empty handed for all the workouts. We are still offering the same class times so there is no need for anyone to change their workout schedule!" Their class schedule can be found online.
Some other local studios offering virtual options are: