BY KEAGAN DAVIS
After the announcement of all local school closures due to the pandemic of COVID-19, many businesses and gyms temporarily closed as well. All YMCA branches across the country have closed their facilities, programs and events to the public as of March 17.
On March 28, Kansas Governor Kelly announced a stay-at-home order for the entire state effective March 30 at 12:01 am until April 19. To ensure everyone’s safety, all nonessential businesses will have to temporarily close including the gyms.
There are a lot of other ways people can work out in the meantime without going to a fitness center. A person can go walking, running, biking, swimming and more. However, some businesses and fitness centers in town are still doing what they can to help their patrons.
The Tiger Wellness Center located on campus at Fort Hays State University is closed for the time being. However, according to director Drew Gannon, they are posting weekly Tiger Fitness Challenges on social media platforms.
“We are wanting the FHSU community to interact with us on social media, post pictures of you working out, comment with ideas, challenge your friends who you would go to the gym with, etc.,” Gannon said. “Each week participants will be entered into a random drawing to win prizes, such as t-shirts that will be mailed out. We know the Tiger Wellness Center is a place for individuals to take a break and become engaged and our goal remains the same under the current circumstances.”
The daily fitness challenges are posted on the FHSU Tiger Wellness Center Facebook page. There is also educational information on staying healthy, such as recipes, and how to properly perform an exercise.
“To assist with students still living on campus The Tiger Wellness Center has lent some basic equipment to the Residential Life for students to checkout and use,” Gannon said. “The items include medicine balls, kettlebells, dumbbells, bands, yoga mats, and more.”
Other ways to connect on social media is to follow their twitter or Instagram page at FHSU_Fitness.
Inspire Body, Mind and Spirit of Hays is owned by Amber Cunningham. She does personal training. Due to these difficult times and her passion for health and fitness, she is offering online Zoom workouts. Her Zoom workouts begin the week of March 30 -April 3 on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday morning from 8:00 to 9:00. For more information, visit her Facebook page or her website.
Jump Start Health and Fitness also is rolling out virtual workouts for people to do at home through the Zoom app.
Many people are looking for alternatives to going to the gym. Colton Waters is an American Council on Exercise personal trainer and taught six classes a week at the Hays Rec Center prior to COVID-19.
“The Hays Rec Center is unfortunately closed until May 1. My job is to help other people, and I feel like I just can’t anymore.” Waters said. “Most gyms are closed right now, and gym equipment is expensive and is being sold out fast!”
People in his group fitness classes were asking him to start posting workouts and videos. On Facebook, Waters posts workouts every day for people to do at home as well as tries to post weekly videos.
“We try to post everyday workouts you can follow. I know during this epidemic it is hard to get to the gym,” Waters said. “We are going to show you some basic workouts you can do without dumbbells, with water jugs, bookbags, books, something you can get yourself and get in a routine.”
These videos can be found on Waters’ Facebook page. Additionally, in this digital age, there are plenty of home workouts or no-equipment workouts people can find on Instagram, Pinterest or Youtube.
Local gyms such as Main Street 24 Hour Access Gym and Fitness stayed open as long as they could; however, Gov. Kelly’s executive order forced their hand.
“I am not surprised by Governor Kelly’s stay-at-home order. It makes sense, she is trying to prevent COVID-19 from spreading,” said Trevor Steinert, co-owner of Main Street 24 Hour Gym. “To keep people from getting sick and to avoid overwhelming hospitals with the influx of patients.”
Steinert said that he is wanting to offer Tae Kwon Do classes for his students to do at home. Perhaps through using the Zoom app or posting videos on Facebook.
Health officials urge that it is very important during this time to be safe, remember to practice social distancing, to be at least 6 feet away from others, and have good standard hygiene as well as washing your hands frequently. Likewise, it is vitally important to keep fit, a fit body is a strong body that can withstand stress and fight illness.
