Fitness centers go online to keep members in shape

Even though fitness centers, yoga studios and most parks are closed to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the Flathead Valley, plenty of local residents are still staying active while staying home. A lot of the fitness facilities and trainers who have closed their doors during the pandemic have switched to innovative online classes to keep their athletes in shape at home.

“It was the right time to pivot,” Mollie Busby, the owner of the three Yoga Hive Montana locations, said in an email. YogaHive suspended in-person classes and switched to an all-online platform on March 15.

“We had seen in-person numbers dive for the 10 days prior anyway, making it clear our community was already starting to distance,” she said. “We’ve been running online workshops and classes for months on the side, so teaching online is in our comfort zone.”

Busby explained the decision to close seemed like the most responsible option at the time, even though she recognized yoga can be helpful to practitioners dealing with the stress of the pandemic.

She said she “felt it was our responsibility to set an example in the community and take a strong stance on social distancing.

“I personally have a husband who lives with two autoimmune diseases, so I recognize the importance of heeding recommendations like this,” she pointed out. “I’d known this was our path for over a week at the time we announced our closing.”

Luckily for local yogis, YogaHive had a head start on virtual sessions that allowed them to keep providing classes without the studio. YogaHive currently offers more than 30 classes per week on the online platform Zoom. Busby said the online setup is “quite similar” to the in-studio experience, although they haven’t been able to recreate aerial yoga classes.

“The instruction is the same, and we work hard to keep the same friendly vibe as we do at the studios,” Busby said. Even though person-to-person interaction isn’t an option, she said members have enjoyed interacting in a different, intimate setting inside their homes.

“In a way, it’s bringing us all closer!” she said.

YogaHive members’ regular monthly payments or punch passes are valid for the online classes, and their scholarship program, the Pay It Forward program, is still active. Busby also said instructors are still being paid as they normally would.

ANOTHER AT-HOME wellness option is Zen Meditation. Mission Mountain Zen is now offering free online meditation courses on Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. using Zoom.

Instructor Jerry Smyers explained the class is a “basic mindfulness practice.”

“Anybody can do it,” he encouraged, even though he noted, “It’s an unknown art. People are not very much aware of it or skilled in it.”

He said the instruction helps practitioners “learn coping skills and cultivate just being present.” During the sessions, Smyers guides practitioners on their physical posture, breathing and attitude.

“At these times, it could be most helpful to people since we can’t get together in groups,” Smyers pointed out.

Smyers said participants are encouraged to donate, but the online classes are free for the next few weeks. “My main interest is to help people learn how to meditate,” Smyers insisted.

VIRTUAL CLASSES are also being offered by The Wave Aquatic and Fitness Center and the Summit Medical Fitness Center.

The Summit also posted on its website that member billing is suspended until further notice and March dues will be prorated. The Summit added credit adjustments for March will be posted to all member accounts and will be applied to future billing once the Summit reopens. Members that have paid for a year in advance will reportedly receive an extension on their membership once the facility is back in operation.

The Wave posted on its website that a credit for the remainder of March will be placed on members’ accounts. “All member dues payments are frozen and will not begin until we reopen,” The Wave advised. The best way to contact The Wave during the closure is by email, info@whitefishwave.com.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at bserbin@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.