Going to the gym and training for fitness are some of the most important things to help keep me sane. Regardless of how stressful of a day I may have or how tired I may feel, exercising my body helps me get my mind right once again.
Which is why when gyms and fitness centers across the state were ordered to close their doors on March 20 due to the coronavirus, I panicked.
While it is important for all of us to stay home as much as possible right now in the times of COVID-19, many of us are more stressed out than usual. Fears about getting sick or having family members—especially those most vulnerable—falling ill have spiked, and many of us have lost our jobs. Not being able to go out seems chill for the first few days until you’ve exhausted all of your usual home resources and realize that you are more social than you previously thought.
So what do we do now?
We have more time than usual, but more stress and limitations than usual. We are going stir-crazy but can’t leave our homes or visit our usual sanctuaries: the gym, yoga studio, shopping for retail therapy, going to a bar or restaurant for food or drink and social time—even our beaches are closed.
While I am tempted to stay in my pajamas and sip on some cold ones day after day—and I do indeed partake in my fair share of “staycation” days—I know this is not sustainable. A few days of indulging is one thing, but I would rather not turn into Jabba the Hutt as the weeks (months?) of social distancing go on.
I began to look up options to help maintain my sanity.
Luckily for us in the Tampa Bay area, the options are plentiful.
I opted to visit Play it Again Sports (a local used sporting goods store) early on in this ordeal and am glad I did. The gyms had all been shut down the afternoon before, and already Play it Again Sports was slammed.
I didn’t know how I was going to make it work, but I refused to lose all of the progress I’ve worked hard for over the years—so I bought a barbell, kettlebell and wall ball.
It didn’t take long to realize that many others had the same idea: After not finding any weight plates in stock at Play it Again Sports, I looked online to buy my own. Every single sporting goods store was out of stock indefinitely; the soonest delivery I could find on Amazon was a month away. Luckily, many local gyms are renting out their equipment—my CrossFit gym included. CrossFit has saved me from a lot. During some of my weakest moments, I have turned to my CrossFit family to remind me how strong I am and what I am capable of. There is nothing like increasing your physical strength to remind you how mentally strong you are, too.
Burg CrossFit, like many other gyms in the Bay area, is encouraging members to continue to prioritize their fitness. In order to maintain motivation, Burg is doing everything they can to assist: They post daily workouts for members and are even hosting online video classes via the Zoom app. Members are able to rent out equipment in full or partial packages, and coaches are so encouraging that it is hard not to get excited about working out — even if it’s in the confines of your own home. Coaches conduct weekly phone check-ins to set goals and help motivate members.
Central Cycling, a local favorite spin spot, is also offering equipment rental. First responders and VIP Members get priority rental. CC also offers various high-intensity interval workouts and workouts using only body weight for those looking for fitness sans equipment.
There are some days when we just need to get our chill on. The Body Electric Yoga Company in St. Pete normally offers a variety of beginner-to-advanced level yoga and meditation classes; after being forced to close its doors due to COVID-19, BE now offers all of their classes virtually. Members can continue their monthly membership with fees being credited towards accounts once gyms are permitted to open their doors again. Non-members can access free yoga classes online via the company’s Facebook business page.
Mental health and physical health are indelibly connected. I am a big proponent of building one’s mental health the same way we strengthen our physical health: By seeking out coaching from an expert.
Just as I need a CrossFit coach to help me improve my form on a difficult weightlifting movement or a yoga instructor to guide me through breathing properly, I call on the assistance of a local mental health counselor to give me tools and strategies to stay mentally healthy and strong, too.
Many therapists are opting for video sessions with clients. If you have been considering therapy, a simple online search can help you identify local therapists who are taking new clients via Skype, FaceTime, or phone appointments rather than in-person for the time being.
There are also apps like TalkSpace and BetterHelp that offer unlimited text, video and audio messaging with a therapist five days per week.
Remember that in these weird times, we are all going through it together—just six feet apart and no more than 10 in a room. We are all feeling uncomfortable, isolated, nervous and out of our routines. We can let it turn us in to Jabba the Hutts or we can use it to fuel forward. To set new goals and break through the additional challenges of no gym space and limited physical contact.
Do I feel like a rockstar throwing my oversized barbell around my undersized apartment? Hell no. These 550-square feet can barely fit my six-foot two-inch self and my 90-pound Labrador, let alone iron and plates. I almost hit the fan or wall every single time I do a lift and I feel like an asshole every time I run outside to use my jump rope or wall ball on the sidewalk of my apartment complex. But I do it anyway. And so should you. Because we have goals, baby. And we are not going to let isolation get us down.
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This article appears in Apr 9-15, 2020.