Being too busy to exercise is a common complaint from so many people whether they are juggling stressful jobs, childcare, elderly parents, etc. On top of the pace of life and what we pack into it, we are all constrained by what is on offer. Your favourite type of exercise class may not be available at the time you have an hour to spare. This can be very frustrating.
Let’s rewind a bit. While horrifying in so many ways, the lockdown era gave people more time to exercise. I had never seen so many people going out for walks or runs as they tried to claw back the little freedom we had back then. Even during the months after the strict lockdowns, people still had more time as they were still working from home.
Now in 2023, more and more people are heading back to their offices while the strains of the cost of living crisis mean employers have more power to bring their staff back to their desks as everyone is desperate to hang onto their jobs.
Sorry guys, that was a bit depressing! You will be glad to hear I do have a happy Lara-solution…online classes!
Again, looking back at Covid days, I launched a whole schedule of online classes from my studio at home to help fill the gap left by all the classes that had been suspended. While aimed at local people, I ended up with clients from across the world. It did not matter where people were living, they could join me on Zoom from their bedrooms, living rooms, gardens…wherever they could find space.
Naturally, as leisure centres and village halls began to open up again and group exercise was permitted once more, people started to drift back to in-person classes. However, I still have a core group who still come to my online classes with more joining all the time. Just when I think that online classes are dying, someone else signs up!
While online classes suit people’s busy lives, are online classes suitable for you? Here are a few of my thoughts:
Camaraderie We always have an online chat before and after classes. We have built up a lovely community that is very welcoming to newcomers. In fact, two of my clients met for the first time last week in London after years of only seeing each other on Zoom. Two others are meeting up in America in a few weeks’ time! This makes me happy!
Good view You can see all of me, from my head to my toes, so you can follow what I am doing and what the next move should be. When an in-person class is full, you can often get confused about what you are supposed to be doing if you cannot see the instructor properly. This is not issue in my online classes.
Clear instructions I give clear instructions via a microphone and an array of hand signals so you know what I am doing and what you should be doing next. Top tip: If you get lost, just freestyle – you are still moving and no-one is going to notice!
Bringing the tunes You still get good music! I love a playlist and you will get the full benefit of my selected tunes as we exercise together.
I currently run three online classes all starting at 8am:
Monday – total body strengthening
Tuesday – Zumba
Wednesday – Pilates
But if 8am does not suit you, I can send you recordings to do at time that is more convenient. There are so many options! If you are willing, you can keep moving. The big message from this blog is that if you can find an hour and some, space in your home, I can find you a class. Give me a call on 07765 423906 or look at my classes here to see what you fancy.