The Original Social Distancing Exercise Experience, by Matthew Romans

Most people are aware of the restrictions that have been placed on business owners as a result of the Covid-19 situation. Our facility was forced to shut down for two months, due to fear over the spread of the virus. Unfortunately, our facility (with its unique exercise philosophy) was lumped with all other run-of-the-mill gyms. The phrase "social distancing" entered the lexicon earlier this year, and will probably be with us for the foreseeable future. What many people, except for Total Results clients, may fail to understand is that we have been practicing social distancing for nearly 20 years!

Environment:

When you first walk into our exercise studio, you will notice that it is impeccably clean. This is what every Total Results client expects and deserves. You won't find trash, towels, or empty water bottles on the floor. We wipe down the equipment after every appointment; this includes seats, pads, movement arm handles, and seat belts. The studio temperature is kept between 65 and 70 degrees, to prevent overheating that can negatively impact your workout performance. An intense workout such as ours is best performed in a cool and well-ventilated environment, and we have fans stationed near each piece of equipment. There is a dehumidifier present in our studio, but we have not been using it. We recently learned that if the humidity is kept too low, germs and other airborne particles stay in the air longer. The ideal humidity level is between 40 and 60 percent.

Instruction:

As an instructor, it is important for me to maintain a respectful distance from the client during a session, not only to make the client comfortable so that they can give a maximum effort, but also so that I can monitor form and make corrections, observe joints, and check body alignment and positioning. This is something that we have always done, but we have been giving just a little more distance when possible. Our studio has two exercise rooms connected by a long hallway, so we can technically have two sessions going at the same time without clients (or instructors) getting in each other's way. In order to alleviate concerns, we are initially only allowing one client in the studio at a time; this way you have total privacy! In Virginia, masks are currently required to be worn in enclosed public places, such as stores and shops; however, the governor's executive order does not require a mask to be worn during exercise. We do not require that clients wear masks during their workout. It can actually make it harder to breathe during the workout and increase your risk for getting dizzy or lightheaded. However, if clients feel more comfortable wearing a mask, they are welcome to do so.

Conclusion:

Exercise is best performed in a clinically controlled environment, under the supervision of an educated instructor. You know exactly what you're getting at Total Results: a safe, comprehensive, and scientifically-based exercise program performed on biomechanically-engineered and well-maintained equipment. Our studio is cleaner and safer to be in than a hospital or doctor's office. If you have been working out at another gym that isn't currently open, or if you don't feel comfortable being in a crowded or unsanitary environment, give us a try. We would be happy to get you scheduled for an initial consultation to learn about our philosophy. We look forward to working with you!