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no high fives for now quote
Fitness
Published Thursday Jun 11, 2020 by Sara Lesher

Returning to Gyms and Studios: How You're Preparing to Go Back to Your Workouts

COVID-19
Fitness
Perspective

There have been many updates, emails, and social posts about what studios are doing to prepare to reopen, but have you thought about what you’re going to do for yourself? While we love to see our studios taking precautions to keep us safe, to some extent, our health and safety is in our own hands. 

lauren mcalister quote

We’re all trying to do what’s best for us in the current situation, and our safety precautions can vary for lots of reasons. Age, location, personal risk, state/county guidelines, overall anxiety, and many other factors can affect our choices regarding our own health and safety measures. That’s why we went to the source: You. We polled our Instagram audience, asking you what your plans are to stay safe and prepare for your glorious return to gyms and studios. Based on this poll, here’s what you all had to say:

sanitize and clean comments

1.    Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize. 


Hand sanitizer is a hot commodity these days—everyone wants to get their hands on it (or get it on their hands?). 46% of you mentioned bringing your own hand sanitizer, wiping down equipment, washing your hands, or general sanitization when going back to the studio. If you didn’t wipe down machines before or after using them before (we'll try not to judge), you’re definitely thinking about doing it now. 

 

group vs solo fitness pie chart2.    Keep it small. 


We all love a good group fitness class—and we’re all missing our in-person sessions a lot right now. Surprisingly, even with social distancing precautions in place, 62% of you would prefer to return to your group fitness classes rather than sticking with personal training or solo exercise for a bit. But we also know our classes are probably going to look a little different when we return. In response to our question about what you’re doing to prepare and stay safe, 32% mentioned hoping for smaller class sizes, keeping distance, and/or respecting people’s space while in the studio. Even as studios limit capacity and class sizes, and increase distance between machines, we should all remember to respect the space of those around us (yes, unfortunately, that means no high fives for now).  
 

props stats


3.    BYOP. 


Props. An important part of many workouts, but also a breeding ground for bacteria (sorry, gross). When it comes to props, a whopping 74% of respondents said they’d bring their own to the studio rather than going without for a bit. Whether it’s yoga mats, blocks, bands, towels, or water bottles, we’re all going BYO for now. When it comes to masks, though, most of us would prefer not to wear them during workouts. But don’t worry, we’re all willing to follow the rules. 78% said they’d wear a mask “only if it’s required,” while the other 22% said they’d wear one either way.  


stay home comments4.    Stay home. 


Although many counties are beginning to reopen studios, you may not feel comfortable returning quite yet. 21% of respondents said they would be staying home for a bit, despite gyms and studios reopening. They mentioned continuing to take virtual classes for a while, waiting until COVID numbers are down locally, and feeling safer in their homes for the time being.  

Fun fact: we’re all loving virtual! 80% of respondents said they’d “totally!” continue taking virtual classes, even if they’re going to the studio as well. 
 
Whether you’re camping outside your favorite studio’s doors, masking up and entering with caution, or sticking to virtual for a while, it’s up to you to decide how to prepare and stay safe right now. We love hearing from you—thanks for answering our questions! Be sure to head over to Instagram and keep your eye on our stories for more polls in the future.

Sara Lesher
Written by
Sara Lesher
Marketing Content Associate
About the author
Spoiled by the San Diego sunshine, Sara’s hobbies include beaching, hiking, concert-going, and brewery-hopping. As Mindbody’s marketing content associate, she naturally loves reading and writing… so if you have any book recommendations, let her know. And just between us: she’s committed to health and wellness but loves a good taco (shoutout TJ Tacos in Escondido).
virtual workout buddy illustration
Fitness
Published Friday Nov 13, 2020 by Denise Prichard

Why You Need a Virtual Workout Buddy

Fitness
Motivation

Ah, 2020—the year that truly put our sanity to the test.  On top of that, something that most people use to navigate through a tough time has essentially been stripped away from us—our normal workout routines. I don’t know about you, but even skipping a week at the gym can send me into a tailspin. But several months of sheltering in place and being forced to adapt to this new normal?

That’s a different story.  

While I think we can all say we’re grateful that fitness studios were quick to offer virtual classes when COVID-19 hit—there is something about constantly working out by ourselves that may trigger some of us to hit pause on our workout routines and start turning towards less robust habits. *Reluctantly raises hand* 

The other day I came across a stat that really set off some alarms. According to a recent study, Americans are spending an additional two hours each day on their couch since March 2020. As of recently, I can say I’m totally guilty of a little too much R&R. While an evening of Netflix and wine once sounded like heaven on earth for most of us, I think it’s safe to say the repetition of this is starting to get kind of old. Also, Schitt’s Creek is over now, so I really don’t have any excuse to not dedicate my free time to jumping back into my at-home workouts.  

I started pondering what made dial back my fitness routine in the first place? Was it a lack of motivation? No, not really. Screen fatigue? I think my Netflix history outlined above would tell you that’s a solid ‘no.’ Then it hit me—the thing that motivated me to stay on top of my fitness goals was being around other people with the same goals. Pre-COVID, going to my favorite spin studio and the local yoga hot spot was how I typically spent my social hour during the workweek. I realized the best way to amp up my at-home workout routine was to re-connect with my workout buddies and start doing virtual classes together to create that sense of community I craved.  

If you’re also experiencing some form of live stream lull when it comes to your workouts, then getting a virtual workout buddy may be exactly what you need. Here’s why: 


A virtual workout buddy keeps you accountable. 

Just like in-person workouts, making plans to sweat it out with one of your friends motivates you to show up and be your best self.  According to the Mindbody Wellness Index, 25% of the folks we surveyed said they found it difficult to hold themselves accountable to their workout goals on their own—and an additional 20% of people said a lack of support was responsible for missed workouts.  


A virtual workout buddy will push you further. 

Everybody enjoys a little friendly competition, right? Maybe you have a friend who is a powerhouse at virtual HIIT—try signing up for a class with them to help you take your workout to a whole new level.  


A virtual workout buddy makes you more adventurous. 

Getting a workout sesh in with a friend is the perfect time to try a new exercise such as virtual yoga or virtual barre. Trying something new can be scary—I get it. But by trying a new type of exercise with a friend, you can both give each other a confidence boost by acting as each other’s personal hype man.   


A virtual workout buddy helps keep you social.

Look, we’re all craving human interaction these days—and I know I’m not the only one who is missing weekly happy hours with friends. Luckily, fitness studios are getting creative with their virtual offerings post-workout, too! When we asked members of our MindbodyOne Community how they are keeping things interesting for their students in the virtual space, they said they are hosting monthly virtual wine dates to share fitness stories and personal victories. Not only do you get to drink wine, but you and your buddy get to meet other like-minded people at the same time.  

As 2020 winds down (thank goodness), you have a unique opportunity to reconnect with your friends and take your workout sessions to the next level with a virtual workout buddy. So, why not start now? Book a virtual fitness class and encourage your friends to show up for you and themselves today.

denise prichard
Written by
Denise Prichard
Marketing Content Specialist
About the author
Denise Prichard is a certified yoga instructor (RYT-200) and an experienced content marketing professional with a penchant for writing compelling copy within the health, wellness and beauty industries. When she isn't writing or editing, you can find her teaching yoga classes, at a spin class or hanging out with her rescue pups.