urging residents to avoid gatherings and she her
husband decided to stay at home as much as
possible. Her gym closed earlier this month, but
she is staying active through online classes from
Burn Boot Camp.
“Part of the reason we exercise is to have that
mental break,” she said. “I can’t imagine getting
through this without having some form of
physical activity.”
In Fort Lauderdale, LA Fitness members were
told not to return as they left the gym last
Monday night. That scene has played out
across the country as state governments have
ramped up containment measures. Planet
Fitness, Equinox and Life Time Fitness have all
said they’re closing outlets for several weeks or
indefinitely in response to the coronavirus.
To make up for it, Planet Fitness started “Home
Work-Ins,” a series of free, 20-minute classes that
don’t require equipment. Erica Lugo, a trainer on
the reality television show “The Biggest Loser,”
was scheduled to lead one of the workouts.
National chain CorePower Yoga closed its
200 studios, but is offering online classes free
until May 31. Taryn Toomey closed her New
York studios, but is offering two weeks of free
streaming as a public service, which she said has
drawn participants from around the globe.
“Lebanon, Germany, Spain, Italy. It’s
overwhelming,” Toomey said.
Fitness operations whose core business has
always been online or home-based are also
stepping up their game, using the opportunity
to capture new clients. AloMoves, an online
fitness service linked to the popular apparel line,
has seen a 40% increase on its YouTube channel,
where it is offering some free workouts.
Image: David J. Phillip