How Has Covid-19 Affected Step Aerobics Group Fitness

What had to change to allow Freestyle Step back to the gym

Introduction

To say that the appearance of the "Rona" virus and the ensuing and ongoing pandemic has affected numerous aspects of everyday life would be an understatement. How is working from home working out for you? And do you still have some of that toilet paper stash? All kidding aside, the measures put in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 have meant each and every one of us has had to made adjustments in areas we barely gave a second thought to. The way we did even the most menial things such as, grocery shopping, taking public transport and grabbing a drink with friends (by the way does anyone still remember going out dancing?).

Needless to say, working out has also proven to be a challenge as many folks took up jogging in order to be able to spend some time outdoors while others resolved to working out at home. This immediately impacted the rise in the number of apps and programs dedicated to remote training. And known names such as ZOOM, FaceTime, Google Meet, Facebook Video, YouTube, etc… took over the internet for a while providing all sorts of fitness sessions. What a time to be alive, where there is an app and a subscription for anything, and we get to do even the most physical stuff in front of screens! Without dwelling too much on that thought, the important thing is that we adapted in order to function. The relaxation of the strictest measures was joyously received by most people and many business segments such as restaurant and gyms, but there were still more hurdles to overcome. Restrictions were put in place greatly limiting the former freedom of these activities. These involved better planning and organization, focusing on previously overlooked aspects such as distancing and limiting the number of participants. Each of them might seem like silly administrative measures that a place has to abide to in order to function and not get fined but the state, but ultimately it is for the safety of the patrons. Now gyms are reopening across the globe, but will people return to rooms and the equipment? Has face-to-face freestyle step aerobics lost its appeal in the wake of possible infection with COVID-19 or are you just eager to feed off the energy of the instructor, the co-patrons, the loud music, and going nuts around the step?

Even More Apps

Of course, as previously stated, software has swiftly sprung up to our aid. Because in order to meet the limitations imposed on closed spaces, if you want to go to a step aerobics class you need to register in advance. Basically, you have to pick your time slot and stick to it so that the number of people in the room at any giving time is not higher that what is allowed by law. This number is ever fluctuating, depending on that of new Covid-19 cases, so the gym has to update their policy at all times.

Larger gyms have invested in their own branded apps or at the very least a website in order to facilitate their members’ access to, not just freestyle step, but also other class types. Meanwhile, smaller, independent places have resorted to people directly messaging the instructor and reserving a spot in their class.

But app or no app, no matter how streamlined the process is planning in advance is still yet another responsibility. You can no step into a class (freestyle step pun intended) whenever you feel like it or whenever you got to make the time. This means planning in advance and sticking to a schedule because some gyms apply restrictions to those patrons who cancel too often in the last minute. And with so little certainties, who really wants this added stress. And if you are undecided and want to wait until you are sure you can make it at the gym – surprise – there may be no spots left for you in that freestyle step time interval. Talk about putting a damper on your day.

Despite on these inconveniences, people that already enjoyed adhering to a stricter, more regulated schedule are more than happy to make their appointments beforehand. And the rest of us are learning since it’s not like this entire pandemic has left much room for spontaneity in other aspects and working out in a group is more fun and motivating than doing so alone.

Distancing and Numbers

One other aspect that concerns the gyms much more so than the patrons has to do with the imposed distances between the people working out, as well as the capacity of the rooms. Keeping the numbers low is generally bad for business especially following a period with no profit, but things are complicated by the fact that the legal requirements do not always make sense for every location. According to the epidemiologists there needs to be a 2-meter perimeter around each person working out at all times. That is a “major” tick for us, as it is relatively easy to enforce especially when using step platforms or workout mats that are set in place, although there is still something to be said about locker rooms and other circuits… However, there is also a cap on the number of persons that can be in an enclosed space. This too fluctuates, but the biggest issue is faced by large spaces that can easily accommodate a higher number even with keeping the mandatory 2-meter distance. So, this means gyms have to be creative and find workarounds. Some have even put up walls in order to register as two or more rooms in order to be able to bring more people in.

Disinfecting Equipment

Yet another aspect is the fact that step platforms, and any other gym equipment you might use, now needs to be disinfected by every attendee after (and often before) working out. Now this seems like a reasonable request that frankly should have been common sense even before a global epidemic. The only real con is the cost of the disinfectant that is again provided by the gym, thus digging even deeper into their already dwindling profits. Some also complain about the time it takes to do this but taking a minute or two to freshen up a sweaty, dirty piece of plastic should not be too much of an inconvenience. In regards to what that does in terms of protecting against COVID-19, one can’t really be too sure, but even if it is a case of “better safe than sorry” it’s not too high of a price to pay.

Conclusion

No argument. COVID-19 has changed the way we do….. most things, including our beloved Freestyle Step sessions. You can now find some happening outdoors, some indoors, some via the internet. No matter where you look, you can find one if you really want one. Need to roll with the times. Adapt or die. Adapt to the moving bar restrictions imposed by the government, or you might get chucked out of the gym, be given a hefty penalty, your gym to be given a hefty penalty, or worse, all three.

So you miss your buddies and the great music mixes placed for your workout session, then you will adapt. You will adapt to the distancing and numbers restrictions. You will learn how to use that new phone app, that sometimes makes you wonder whom in hell created it, as you find that it does not make sense. You get used to booking your next session as soon as humanly possible, and get there 5 minutes before it starts, something you have never been able to do for work meetings! Those extra 5 minutes are the difference between allowed in, or not allowed in, since once the session doors closes for class commencement means no one else can come in. But once in, you run over to those 16 square meters (2 meters in front, 2 meters behind, 2 meters left and 2 meters right which is in fact 4 x 4 = 16 sqm)

Finally you have your kingdom within the freestyle session room, and you quickly put your water bottle/towel/gym bag in that spot to indicate you have conquered it. Go over and wipe clean the step equipment with the alcohol filled paper tissues. At least for once something else is getting more alcohol than my liver! I stand behind my clean step in my private kingdom and look over to the freestyle step instructor and think…. Throw it at me!

"The information provided herein is strictly for educational purposes. Always consult your qualified Group Fitness Instructor before implementing any suggestions above."

Disclaimer

You must get your physician's approval before beginning any exercise suggested in this blog or any of its articles. Any recommendations found within these articles are not medical guidelines but are for educational purposes only. You must consult your physician prior to starting any suggestions in this blog, or if you have any medical condition or injury that contraindicates physical activity. The suggestions in this blog article are designed for individuals 18 years and older that have been approved by their physician to take any of the suggestions above.

The information in this blog article is meant to supplement, not replace, proper exercise training. All forms of exercise pose some inherent risks. As such we advise readers to take full responsibility for their safety and know their limits. Before practicing the exercises in this blog article, be sure that your equipment is well-maintained, and do not take risks beyond your level of experience, aptitude, training and fitness. The exercises and dietary programs in this article are not intended as a substitute for any exercise routine or treatment or dietary regime that may have been prescribed by your physician.

Do not lift heavy weights if you are alone, inexperienced, injured, or fatigued. Do not perform any exercises unless you have been shown the proper technique by a certified personal trainer or certified strength and conditioning specialist. Always ask for instruction and assistance when lifting. Do not perform any exercise without proper instruction. Always do a warm-up prior to resistance training and interval training.

See your physician before starting any exercise or nutrition program. If you are taking any medications, you must talk to your physician before starting any exercise program, including Freestyle Step Aerobics. If you experience any light-headedness, dizziness, or shortness of breath while exercising, stop the movement and consult a physician.

You must have a complete physical examination if you are sedentary, if you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, if you are overweight, or if you are over 30 years old. Please discuss all nutritional changes with your physician or a registered dietician. If your physician recommends that you do not do Freestyle Step Aerobics, please follow your Doctor's orders.

That was our October 2020 blog article. Remember to feel free to comment, or contact me via email to FreestyleStepXTRVGNZ@gmail.com, and comment on what you think of this article, or any article you have read, or just any improvements you may want to see happening.

Bruno Jimenez
October 2020

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Freestyle Fitness XTRVGNZ

03 October 2020