Getting back to the GYM:

Rogers Activity Center doesn’t skip a beat

In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, life changed overnight for Northwest Arkansans along with millions across the globe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised people to exercise regularly to counteract the mental toll of social distancing and isolation. But opportunities and motivation to exercise decreased as fitness centers closed and people following stay-at-home recommendations struggled to stay fit and keep their immune systems strong. Fortunately many gyms, including the Rogers Activity Center, began offering exercise classes via social media or websites to help people stay fit at home. Cody Steussy, Community Relations and Fitness Manager for the Rogers Activity Center (RAC) says shutting down hit the center hard. Working alongside RAC Executive Director Coleta Paris, Cody oversaw a quick and successful transition to online training and fitness classes for RAC members and the community. “We updated and overhauled our entire website. Thankfully I manage our entire digital and online presence, so change was able to happen rapidly,” Cody notes. “Our teachers’ love for their students meant some were teaching in their garage, back porch or popping into the center and filming. As of today we have had 8,179 workouts done on our website and have streamed over 180 unique workouts, including barre, Zumba, muscle tone, Silver Sneakers, cycle and more.” Cody says that while the ability to teach remotely has been a blessing, and feedback has been amazing, he’s excited that the RAC has now reopened. As an instructor, he has missed his fellow teachers, the music, the noise, the connection he makes with students, and the energy that can’t be duplicated in an online class.

The new gym normal

Things look a little different at the RAC during this Phase 1 opening. There are pre-entry screenings, and masks are required, except while actively exercising. Mats (bring your own) must be 12 feet apart in the exercise class and the number of students is limited with reservations required. In the weight room, equipment is spread out and there’s a cap on the number of people that can be in there at any time. People are encouraged to keep their workouts to 30 minutes. According to Cody, folks have been cooperative and understanding about the restrictions and the RAC’s diligence in maintaining them.

Looking ahead

The RAC started offering childcare again on June 1, and will have Summer Day camp. Spring sports are cancelled but they have started taking registrations for the fall. While the RAC team is still uploading workouts, many of the recordings are now live classes. “It’s exciting, that while we may only have 8 people in class, we have unlimited people joining us online,” Cody says enthusiastically. “We currently have no intention of stopping until we can have all our members back dancing, spinning and sweating with us in person.” Overall, going digital has been a good thing for the RAC, and will definitely be part of the future. Cody likes that it’s a way to connect with students that can’t physically be present— be it health, age or just lack of space, as their live in-person spaces have been filling up as soon as they offer them. “I think there will be an all new level of safety and expectations set forth by the students and public moving forward,” he notes. “We will continue to adapt and change as needed.”