The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Miss the gym? Work out virtually
Find the right program to help you hit your fitness goals.
As one of the city’s top fitness experts who has trained everyone from Atlantabased professional athletes to celebrities, such as Usher and Keri Hilson, personal trainer Rahman Grayson never considered he’d be in this position. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the nation in early spring, Grayson (who is better known by his moniker Mr. Shut Up and Train) closed his gym per state instructions and sheltered-inplace to do his part to stop the spread of the virus. Even as government restrictions relax, he admits the pandemic has been a lingering disruptor to his normal life. But ever the optimist, Grayson does see a silver lining.
“I think this quarantine has forced a lot of people to get their bodies moving. People are doing movements that they would not have otherwise done,” Grayson says about the newfound interest to exercise, get out of the house and try different activities. “When you get in a routine, you get so stagnant. This forced change of routine has allowed people to probably work on some things that they haven’t worked on otherwise.”
And new research suggests, Grayson is likely on to something. Roughly 28% of Georgians are exercising more since the pandemic, according to a recent Sharecare survey, which polled more than 5,000 state residents as part of their nationwide study. And surprisingly nearly half of those surveyed were able to maintain their normal activity levels, despite the pandemic challenges.
“Exercise is crucial under normal conditions, however, it is critical to your physical health and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic,” advises LaTasha “Tadda” Lewis, a registered nurse, certified trainer and owner of Tadda’s Fitness Center, an all-inclusive fitness and wellness facility located in Decatur. “Exercising can help to reduce stress, prevent weight gain and other weight-related illnesses —plus it helps to boost your immune system. If your immune system is compromised, you’re at more risk of the virus.”
But if you see yourself in the group of Georgians struggling to find a path to fitness, how do you stay active—particularly in the midst of a pandemic? If you’re not quite comfortable going back to your gym, these local Atlanta fitness professionals are sharing some smart suggestions on how to work out virtually.
Find a live virtual fitness class
Prized for its high-energy environment and heavy camaraderie, the Effect Fitness boot camps are known to draw crowds of 150 to 200 exercisers per in-studio session. Obviously large crowds aren’t back in the picture, yet. So, since the start of quarantine, Effect Fitness founder Keundric “Dooley” Loucious started streaming his boot camps for free on Effect Fitness’s Instagram Live and Facebook Live.
To mimic their normal class feel, multiple staffers exercise on camera along with the viewers. Even without the physical closeness, Loucious says the contagious energy still