TO YOUR HEALTH
Digital Fitness Takes Us to a Brave, New World
By Caitlin Brown
The pandemic has revolutionized the fitness industry by bringing a new digital format to the fore, making virtual workouts the safest, and in many cases, the only option. Gym-goers have had to resort to home workouts and teachers, in a race to learn the ins and outs of Zoom, home video, Bluetooth earbuds, and well… teaching bodies remotely sprawled in boxes on a screen.
Yes, we might miss the communal feeling of our group classes and our friends in them, but we can say hello online thanks to technology and the simplicity of Zoom (and other online tools/venues) and feel the group effort…, and we can do it, whenever it fits into our schedule (pre-recorded classes) and save the driving time. And we can try something new that we wouldn’t have the courage to in real-time, physically there. This presents an opportunity!
With the gym/fitness space competing more than ever for clients (many have shut down their physical space or offer limited access due to safety measures/precautions), many boutique studios are offering 14- to 30-day trial runs online, so it’s a great time to try something new, that you might not have otherwise.
I have tried Tracey Anderson (which I never would do in a normal class environment because I lack her level of coordination), The Class by Taryn Toomey, and yoga venues other than my regular local studio, Kaia yoga (so many great streaming classes throughout the day, www.kaiayoga.com). If you Google fitness: yoga, Pilates, what have you, look for trial membership and your set criteria.
For me, an interactive experience — where the teacher can offer feedback, adjustments (I am a yoga fanatic), and the others in the class are faces that are familiar — is my preference. Another thing pulling me to the studio of choice online is the number of classes throughout the day and evening. I find myself trying classes with new teachers and stretching my practice without the commute (for instance, a Westport class through my Greenwich studio with faces I recognize).
The gym, boutique studios, studios in general are for the most part catering to all of us trying to stay safe but wanting to maintain a healthy balance within the comfort of our homes.
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Here are some different classes to try on for size at home, most of which offer free trials:
Taryn Toomey’s, The Class
For a full mind and body workout, this class promises to deliver! Live-streamed classes 7 days a week. Offering a 14-day free trial.
Tracey Anderson Method
Fronted by Gwyneth Paltrow’s favorite trainer, it continues to offer up her popular cardio dance and mat strength classes online. There’s a two-week free trial, then it’s $90 a month.
traceyanderson.com
BeachBody
14-day trial. Can stream on Smart TV.
Pure Barre
A tailored workout designed for our studios, but meticulously recreated for your living room or gym, bedroom, park, anywhere you can take your phone or computer. PureBarre Go is only $29.99/month.
ClassPass
Workouts you can do anywhere. Join a live class from a top-rated studio for real-time instruction or sign up for an on-demand workout class when it works for your schedule. Thousands of options in everything from bootcamp to virtual meditation are only a tap away. Access a library of free on-demand videos, book a class nearby, and livestream classes from around the world.
MindBody Online
Book live and on-demand workouts: yoga, Pilates, barre, HIT, meditation classes from across the globe. Just type in a location and explore all the options.
The list continues; it’s all at your fingertips, literally. If you will it, it will come… just Google it and get your sweats on.
