Dear Fitfam,

The coronavirus is creating worldwide panic, but we wanted to share some good news with you.

First: You’ve done everything you can to prepare yourself for a sickness. Strong, fit people are hard to kill, and they bounce back fast. You’ve taken care of yourself, you eat well and you’re tough as nails. Coronavirus is worried about you. 

Second: In Rochester, We have Mayo. A great large health care institution that will be able to appropriately deal with this outbreak and this, in turn, will help with slowing the spread locally and nationally.

Third: The sun is coming. We’ll be able to get outside more very soon.

Fourth: Progression and Regent are part of the largest gym network in the world. We are pooling resources and knowledge and we are using this to help you.

General Procedures

In the short term, please observe the following:

– First and foremost, do not come to the gym if you start to feel sick or show any symptoms of disease. If you feel ill but would still like to work out, email [email protected] with a list of available equipment and space, and we’ll put something together for you. Please do not come to the gym if you are under the weather.

– Wash your hands regularly with lots of soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Scrub vigorously. Avoid touching your face.

– When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue or an elbow rather than a hand.

– Clean off any equipment you’ve used. We’ll make sure potent disinfectant is on hand.

Long-Term Plans

Given the worldwide situation, there is the potential that gyms and other public spaces will be forced to shut down. We’ll listen for all info from the government and follow its procedures.

Should we be forced to shut down, we will not stop coaching or running training sessions. We will use social media to program and instruct workouts. We take a lot of pride in being a lighthouse: We never go dark. And we want you to keep working out, even if the government won’t let you do it at our locations. You didn’t pay for access to a facility. You paid for coaching, and we can provide that online.

We will continue to post workouts every day, and we’ll add detailed descriptions, as well as options using common household items. We will also use technology to connect with you and lead you through sessions. We’re up for the challenge.

Here’s what you can do to prepare for this possibility:

1. Go out and buy a kettlebell or a set of dumbbells. You can probably get something for about $100 or less, if you buy them from Rogue fitness and don’t want them when this blows over, we will buy them from you for the gym. Scheels is a great local place to start, and there are tons of online retailers. Select a weight that you would use in a conditioning workout (25-, 35- and 55 lb. kettlebells are common, as are 20- and 40- lb. dumbbells). This will be your primary piece of at-home fitness equipment. Don’t worry: You can stay very fit with just one kettlebell or dumbbell.
2. If you have the cash, buy one heavy object and one lighter object. Maybe a few different ones. If you have additional cash, pick up anything else you might want— If you don’t have cash, let us know you can borrow some of our stuff.
3. Make a space where you can work out with us online. It should be about 8 feet by 8 feet. Just don’t break and windows, or put a hole in the floor.
4. Create Instagram and Facebook accounts if you don’t have them. We’ll likely use those platforms to run workouts.
5. High-five the Internet.

We hope there are no breaks in service at our gym, but if we are required to close, we will.

But we will not leave you high and dry. We’ll be offering the same enthusiasm, programming, and energy over the Internet. You’re a person who works out. And we’re going to make sure that continues.

JG

Special Thanks to CrossFit 204 for help with this article!