POST PANDEMIC FITNESS

Regardless of what your thoughts are on the opening/reopening, masks/no masks issues, we can all agree that returning to our former normal lives may not be achievable, or even desirable.

You may have realized that working out at the gym was not all it was cracked up to be. Or, you may feel torn because your sense of loyalty to a particular instructor is quite strong, yet you ’re not quite comfy with returning to a class setting where you are most likely swapping germs.

Regardless of what your thoughts are on the opening/reopening, masks/no masks issues, we can all agree that returning to our former normal lives may not be achievable, or even desirable.

Fitness, training, working out…however you choose to phrase it, is always accessible. Truly! No matter where you live, your athletic level (or couch potato status), injury history, and goals, we all have the opportunity, every day, to move our bodies! Regardless of what your thoughts are on the opening/reopening, masks/no I’ ve preached this for over 26 masks issues, we years…without Covid can all being agree that returning to a hurdle. Now that our it former normal lives may not be certainly is a work-around achievable, or challenge, I even shout desable out the cold, hard fact that we can all find fitness quite easily.

TakeTake itit fromfrom me,me, soso manymany ofof mymy colleaguescolleagues areare nownow onlineonline teachingteaching amazingamazing classesclasses forfor allall levelslevels andand stylesstyles ofof fitness.fitness. GotGot Wi-FiWi-Fi andand a a phone,phone, tablet,tablet, oror laptop?laptop? IfIf youryour answeranswer isis yes,yes, thenthen youyou maymay loglog on,on, signsign up,up, sweatsweat itit out,out, andand reapreap thethe benefitsbenefits ofof onlineonline instruction.instruction.

II knowknow whatwhat you ’reyou ’re thinking…Ithinking…I reallyreally do!do! HowHow cancan II bebe suresure thethe teacherteacher understandsunderstands mymy body ’sbody ’s needsneeds andand willwill addressaddress alignmentalignment andand technique?technique? YouYou mustmust findfind a a SEASONEDSEASONED teacher,teacher, oneone whowho hashas studiedstudied humanhuman anatomyanatomy andand workedworked withwith multiplemultiple typestypes ofof issues,issues, whowho isis intenselyintensely seriousserious aboutabout makingmaking suresure hishis oror herher clientsclients areare movingmoving safely.safely. JustJust likelike withwith anyany purchase,purchase, wewe honorhonor ourour investmentinvestment byby researchingresearching andand beingbeing certaincertain thethe productproduct oror serviceservice isis highhigh quality.quality.

ItIt isis thethe samesame withwith findingfinding a a fitnessfitness instructor.instructor. BeBe suresure toto learnlearn aboutabout theirtheir experience,experience, history,history, education,education, andand standingstanding withinwithin thethe fitnessfitness community.community. OnceOnce youyou findfind someonesomeone youyou feelfeel hashas highhigh integrityintegrity andand isis ableable toto serveserve you,you, movemove forwardforward andand bookbook a a fewfew classesclasses oror sessions!sessions!

WhatWhat ifif youyou needneed moremore attention?attention? Have you dealt with injuries, conditions or any challenges that render you less mobile to simply jump into an online group class? If so, let’s narrow the playing field even more and find a teacher who does live private sessions online.

He or she must be well versed in how to view your body and movement patterns. This way, you ’ll feel safer and better cared for as you reach, meet, and likely surpass your goals.

The last step in finding a great guide for your fitness endeavors is all about the vibe. Personality, delivery, and intention are vital in feeling a rapport with your teacher. If you don’t feel a connection, and a sincere one at that, I say walk away and find another instructor. When you sense sincerity and passion from that teacher, you will truly be well on your way to crush those goals you communicated with them in your first meeting.

Not all instructors have that IT factor. Many teachers become certified in a crash weekend workshop and automatically claim high praise. Be cautious! Shop around and make the decision based on research that will only serve you for years to come.

It is absolutely time well spent. Many of my colleagues are incredible. I’ ve watched teachers blossom into something awesome online. I’ ve also witnessed instructors promise the moon and stars and fall incredibly short in their delivery

The great ones are out there. Many of them don’t have huge followings, fame, and hotshot ads on social media. The bells and whistles are shiny and impressive but don’t always equate to quality instruction and long-term fitness guidance.

Online fitness programs are plentiful. They are simple to locate and sign up for. The technology we have these days makes it easy to find and commit to anything from weight training, to stationary cycling, to barre, to yoga, to ballroom dancing, to running. I could go on and on! Find something that interests you and gets you fired up. Give it time. A good three months is a great benchmark period to test your interest, staying power, and progress. If you need a shift, find another style of movement and fitness and give yourself ample time to get into a groove and feel like you ’re mastering the technique and challenges.

The name of the game is to move your body! No matter where you live and what your lifestyle looks like, we all need physical movement. This is universal and is vital to our longevity and happiness. Give yourself this gift. You ’ ve got the tools right there on your screen! I wish you luck and express massive encouragement to include online fitness in your day…with the right instructor, you ’ll have a smile on your face while sweating it out! MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE Amanda Jane Avis is a retired pro dancer and has taught in the fitness industry since 1997. Her anatomy and physiology education, a BA in Dance from UCLA, being a UCLA and NBA Cheerleader, and dancing professionally for many other companies and organizations led her to Pilates, yoga, barre, body weight exercise, and more. She operated her studio in Santa Monica for ten awesome years. Amanda Jane now teaches exclusively online for clients across the country and loves guiding them to physical awareness, a painfree life, and joy in movement. You may find her at malamotion.com