Being a gym that has always run on quality over quantity has helped us transition in this ever-changing world of guidelines and what is safe and what isn’t.
We coach 6-8 clients at a time which allows us to keep our clients safely distanced when working out. During the pandemic, we gave every client a taped-off box to work out in. It was obvious to the clients where they could work out, and it was also very efficient for our coaches to coach knowing where each client was going to be.
One of the significant downfalls to this system was because clients were spaced out; it was hard for clients to talk to one another comfortably and for new clients to feel part of our community. Having to yell 14 feet to the closest clients to introduce yourself is not ideal for fostering relationships.
The boxed-in feeling also was an energy drain for mean clients. Who liked to move outside their box. They want to be free-range chickens, and I get that. It got to the point clients were actually saying they missed sled pushes; what kind of world is this?!
The distancing made it hard for coaches to demonstrate exercises and get multiple clients going together when spread so far apart. Making a giant time suck of showing and not much coaching.
But we have made it through the hard part … fingers crossed.
Transition Back to Somewhat Normal
Guidelines are different for every state, and you need to keep that in mind and how your clients feel about transitioning back. We have decided to do a phases change, knowing many of our clients and team are fatigue after a whole year of constant changes.
Not all the changes have been bad; we are like the pod model of having clients know where their designated workout space is. It keeps it organized for the client and the coach. Knowing where they should be, but what we don’t like is the boxed-in feeling.
Decrease Distancing
What we are doing is decreasing our distancing from 14 feet to 8 feet. Decreasing distancing is within safety guidelines, and it will help coach coach multiple people at the same time, leaving more time for coaching. On top of that, it should help clients socialize a lot easier.
No More Boxes
We are switching to decals on the floor that let the client know where their workout area is but without the boxed-in feeling. Decals will help stop the feeling of feeling Closter phobic and let clients know it is ok to walk around as long as you are keeping your distancing.
Increase Free Movement
One of the biggest energy sucks is the lack of feeling like you can move around when exercising. For example, exercise like sled pushes and farmer carries. Done in a 10×10 box is not the same as going up and down a turf.
Putting the pods closer together will allow more open free space that will allow the clients who what to do bear crawls and carries in an open space to do so safely.
If you have questions about how our gym is transitioning through these times, drop a line in the comments. I would also love to hear what your gym is doing.
Your Fitness Sherpa,
