62. Look for the Helpers...Or where you can get your social isolation wellness on
With social isolation hitting us all, and orders of “Shelter in Place” coming down around the world, it’s hard not to feel anxious. For people who routinely exercise, adjusting to a “new normal” can be SUPER uncomfortable.
As a certified Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer for 19 years, believe me, I fully get you! It’s been about a year since I finished my last round of chemo, and nine months since my last surgery, and while I have tried to keep active, I am only beginning to get back to a place where I feel like my body is my own.
To make matters even more difficult, one of the wide reaching effects of this pandemic has been an up-leveling of depression, and frankly grief. The Harvard Business Review did an amazing article called “That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief “ and they are SPOT ON. Being pulled, suddenly, out of our routine is difficult, and as we try to figure out our “new normal” deciding how to maintain both our emotional and physical wellbeing is critical.
As such, I’ve compiled a list of Movement and Brain activities you can do right now from the comfort of your own home. They range from established brands, to pioneers who are creating content to help in the COVID 19 crises.
Fitness Classes Streaming Now
Beach Body On Demand- Chances are you’ve seen ads late at night for P90X. Beach Body has been around for a while and they have a ton of workouts ranging from pilates to heavy weight lifting. Currently, you can try their streaming service out for two weeks for free, and with over 1,000 workouts to choose from you can’t go wrong.
Daily Burn - Daily Burn has been around since 2007, and has a channel that’s offered up with HULU. Much like Beach Body they have over 1000 workouts . My experience is they are in particular great for beginners to get started . Also they offer lots of workouts with minimal equipment AND currently you can get a 60 day trial for free.
GROKKER- Grokker has been around since 2012. Much like the other big platforms, they were one of the first to stream on mutiple-platforms, and in addition to YOGA, HIIT, and other workouts, they have a meditation piece in their subscription that is very handy right now. Also, Grokker has made their content free through the COVID 19 crises, which is pretty classy. And one of my favorite colleagues Sarah Kusch is one of the main trainers there, and her stuff is great.
Les Mills- Les Mills has been a player in pre-programmed gym workouts since I became an instructor. One of my favorites has always been Body Pump. Some of their cardio classes are equipment free, but they tend to be equipment heavy and even sell the equipment you need to do their programming. They do, however, have workouts for KIDS from ages 2-16 as part of their streaming service as well.
Variis- is the Equinox Brands streamer. While the app is still Beta testing, on account of the COVID19 crises, they have been streaming daily programming via IGTV for free. If you’ve been interested in trying out an Equinox class, you can demo them from your home.
POPSUGAR Fitness - The popular website POPSUGAR has created and featured workouts for FREE on their YouTube Channel for years, now they’ve expanded to the app Active by PopSugar a subscription service that has a free trial and even more content, with celebrity trainers
Centr- Workout with THOR!!! Chris Hemsworth’s fitness site complete with workouts and meal plans launched last year and during the COVID crises they are letting people have 6 weeks for free. Who knows maybe “shelter in place” could turn you into the next Marvel super hero! (Note: ALOT of these workouts require full home gyms, but they are working on getting more “Equipment - Free “ content.)
Pilates and Yoga Online Streamers
Unicorn Wellness- As a fitness professional, sometimes you meet those people who are legit “Masters” in their field. Tandy Gutierrez is one of those trainers. I worked with her at Equinox in Los Angeles and took her pilates class and was like “Holy Fuck, THIS is THE SHIT”. Knowledgeable, and compassionate, Tandy’s workouts are smart and built to be done by all bodies, beginner and advanced student alike. Her platform has a close to 1000 pre-taped workouts for you to do, and she just keeps adding. Plus, you get a 30 day trial to try her out.
Pilates Anytime- With a 14 day trial period, you can experience pilates and barre workouts for all levels with or without equipment. Notably Booty Barre workouts are streamed here and Tracey Mallet is tremendous.
Gaia- A long time producer of some of the best yoga videos in the world . Content for all levels of yoga and meditation can now be streamed from Gaia. Currently they are offering a week trial to test the waters.
ROMWOD- For those who are looking to get more flexible but aren’t so into Yoga, ROMWOD of ( Range Of Motion Workout of The Day ) is pretty great. It’s designed to be specific to you, and much like all the rest if the bigger streamer sites has a 1-2 week free trial period.
Meditation/ Mindfullness
Headspace- an online platform and app, designed with simple meditations and brain games, to help create mindfulness. It is really simple, plus you can stream sleep sounds to help you get that much needed rest.
Headstrong- Equinox likes to cover all its bases and with HEADSTRONG has a number podcasts that can be listened to free of charge.
Calm- One of the most popular apps out there for meditation. Calm basic is absolutely free and has some really cool options. You can opt to the full app for free for a trail period as well.
Petra Kolber - the amazing teacher, trainer, and motivational speaker Petra Kolber has been doing live community chats on facebook. But also you can subscribe to her Podcast to center and focus and get a little perspective on where we are and how to stay sane
IGTV, FACEBOOK LIVE, ZOOM, TWITCH, and Independent trainers
As much as there is pre-recorded programming, sometimes you want to do stuff live with the people who are doing it live with you below are some of my incredibly talented colleagues who are putting live stuff up daily for free or donation as we roll through this period
Leanne Pedante- streaming 40 minute total body workouts on zoom.
Erin Phelan- is doing daily workouts on ZOOM, follow her on FB or IG and you’ll get all the deets
Chelsea Vincent- streaming a variety of videos sometimes pre-recorded sometimes not on TWITCH. She’s set up a whole week to balance you out .
Aimee Nicotera- doing meetings via ZOOM Tuesdays 10 am, Thursdays 1 pm Kids class, and 4:30 1 Weight Strength Class
Paul Katami - Paul Katami has come together with fitness friends to help create a schedule on IGTV Check out his feed to get workouts from some of the most talented fitness professionals in the SoCal Area. @totalmaxfitness @fufighterfit @petepetitti
Trevor Throop- Teaching yoga classes via SKYPE Tuesdays and Saturdays , signup at Eventbrite
GYM 360- Celebrity trainer Charisse Turner and friends have created a FB group where anyone can join and do workouts.
And lastly California Equinox Group Fitness Director Stephanie Vitorino created an online IGTV schedule of live free streaming offerings from their instructors. Check to see updates on that one , or follow the people offering.
This is hardly a comprehensive guide of all the fitness options that are out there, and I know I’m forgetting some people.
But for those who aren’t sure even where to begin, these are incredible resources by some of the very best in the business.
While fitness centers, and private studios have been closed down because of the likelihood of community spread, I would argue it’s not because they aren’t “essential services”.
If anything their absence makes alot of us realize how very necessary they are.
So until you can be sweaty together again in one room, look for these helpers to get you through.
Stay Safe. Stay inside.
xo
Steph