A week ago, I posted about how my workouts are so helpful to my mental health. That statement is so true. When I wrote that post, things were changing hour by hour and knowing I had my workouts helped me feel better. It was a sense of control in an out of control world. But I also knew as I wrote that post that there was a chance that gyms would need to close down to help control the spread of Coronavirus. I was hoping that it wouldn’t happen, but I knew it could. And that’s exactly what ended up happening.
Over the weekend, they announced that gyms and fitness centers needed to close in Los Angeles. So before my Monday workout, I started to get emails announcing that the classes I had booked were canceled. I knew this was coming, but it still was sad when I saw all the emails in my inbox.
I wasn’t sure what I would do, but I knew that I wasn’t going to stop working out. I wanted to keep my normal workout schedule as much as possible so I had to figure out what to do on Monday. I downloaded a few fitness apps for my iPad and ended up doing a 15-minute cardio one I found that didn’t require any equipment (I’m regretting getting rid of my workout bike now because I could really use it!).
As more and more cities and states were requiring gyms to close temporarily, Orangetheory knew they had to do something to help members and everyone stay active while we were isolating at home. So they created Orangetheory at Home and started to post daily workout videos! They aren’t exactly the same as a class, but there is a coach showing you what to do and the screen looks just like what it looks like in class when you are in the workout block. There is a warm-up, some strength work, a cardio block, and a cool down. And it requires no real equipment but instead gives suggestions for things you can use around the house instead.
I set my iPad up on my little ottoman for each of the workouts that I did this past week and looked at the videos a bit before doing the workout to see what I would need to use for weights. When I took this photo, the workout needed medium weights for hands so I used water bottles and a heavier weight for squats so I used my toolbox.
I tried to make it seem as much like class as possible. I wore my heart rate monitor to track my workout and used my gloves because they protected my hands when I had plank work on the floor. I have a yoga mat I can use on the ground, but it’s not that thick so it didn’t do too much to help pad the ground. So I tried to not do things on my knees or modify them to be something else.
And the workouts weren’t easy. Even though there isn’t a coach pushing me, I was able to push myself a bit. I know I’m not working as hard as I would in class for a few reasons, but it’s as close as I think I can get for now. I am getting my heart rate up and I’m definitely sweating. I need to add some more cardio besides what is in the workout, but I am easing into the idea of working out at home.
And even though the Orangetheory at Home workouts don’t require any equipment, I realized that I do need to add some equipment to my little home gym collection. I don’t have any heavy weights in my house or things to help me add resistance to a strength exercise. And I really needed a way to protect my body from my floor because it’s going to start hurting me more. So I did some online shopping with guidance from my dad and ordered a few things online that should be delivered in the next few weeks. It’s not easy to find workout equipment right now (everyone has the same idea as I do), but I found a weighted bar (instead of dumbbells), a medicine ball, some mini-bands, and foam floor pads. So I will be able to make things a bit more like Orangetheory in my house and I can also add some extra exercises to the routine if I want to.
Things are still changing quickly and constantly. I have no clue how long it will be before Orangetheory can open again or things will start to get closer to what they were like before. For California, we have a stay at home order for about a month. I doubt they will announce that they are going to end it early. If anything, I think it will be longer than a month. My belief is that it will be at least 2 months, but I know some people are saying even longer. I can’t let myself think about it too much because it causes me a lot of anxiety, so I have been planning things as if it will be like this for 2 months. That’s why I wanted the workout equipment. If this was shorter, I might not be as worried about losing everything I have gained in my workouts. But I need to be able to replicate my workouts as much as possible and not lose too much momentum. I’m sure that when I’m back in the studio one day, I will realize I have lost some strength and endurance. But I am trying to limit that.
For now, all I can do is try my best. I am going to still do 4 workouts a week (and yes, I am counting these toward my workout goal for 2020). I am going to do the Orangetheory at Home workouts and I will try to find other things to add to it to do as much as I can. I also have more time when I can work out so I might add something lighter on what is usually a rest day. I’m not sure about that and I don’t want to overdo it or push myself too much. I just know that I have something that helps me feel a bit more normal and I continue to be so grateful for Orangetheory, even if it’s not the way I’m used to getting my classes in.
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