3/15 Monday - A Reflection of the Past Year

Cassie presses overhead. You get to choose your press today, overhead or bench.

A year ago everything changed. Our kids, our jobs and our lives were suddenly #shutdown due to the COVID pandemic. We had not yet closed the gym on March 15, but we knew it was inevitable. 
As we mark this one year of COVID pandemic, I am reflecting on the things I wrote on this blog. One year ago, the Monday before we shut down, I wrote a blog entitled: "Should You Quit the Gym?" 
A year ago today we reduced the class size from 12 to 10 to create a 3 foot buffer between everyone. The CDC guidelines limited group sizes to no more than 50. A year ago today about 10% of you already made the switch to remote coaching. Who knew that just 2 days later we would pivot everyone to remote coaching and develop a brand new business product to make sure you stayed healthy and happy during the #shutdown. 
A year ago today, when you asked me, "What about my gym memberships during the Coronavirus crisis?" This is what I said:

1. True Spirit CrossFit is probably cleaner than big all-access gyms.
We see everything you touch.
And as soon as you’re done with it, we will either ask you to wipe it down, or do it for you.
That means EVERYTHING gets cleaned after EVERY touch.
If you’ve ever been to a big all-access gym, you’re probably laughing out loud right now. NO ONE wipes down the equipment in a great big all-access gym.

2. Membership at our gym isn’t about access to equipment.
You’re paying for coaching.

Coaching can happen at the gym…or anywhere.
You can stay home, avoid the crowds, practice social distancing (some of us have been “practicing” social isolation since high school.) And you can still get JUST as fit; protect yourself; and stay healthy for your family from home.
You are a member at our gym and we can still coach you through this crisis.
We will be experimenting with on-line classes and remote coaching the next few days. Stay tuned for classes via Facebook Live, Zoom or WhatsApp. 
If you have a membership at a big all-access gym, you won't get coached through this crisis. 

3. True Spirit CrossFit is locally owned by James and me. 
We are in regular communication with you. We will continue to keep your health and safety as our top priority. 
You can reciprocate by remaining a member, and actually help a local entrepreneur stay afloat.

4. We know you by name.
If you’re alone and you DO fall sick, we will take care of you. A big all-access gym will call their collections department.
 
If you’re sick, don’t exercise. But if everyone else is sick, that’s the worst time to stop exercising.
Remember, this, too, shall pass. Let's rely on science and facts to guide our decisions rather than worry and fear.  We will continue to follow the CDC guidelines. 
This is the time when our community must come together and support each other. Uncertainty shakes our foundation and makes us feel uncomfortable. Remember, you have built a strong body, mind and spirit. You are the person I want to be with when the shit hits the fan. We are stronger together. 

Those words hold true a year later. We are not yet fully opened, we are still operating at reduced capacity, keeping you all 6 feet (or further) apart, wearing masks when we can't keep our distance, cleaning everything after we touch it, setting up class for you so you don't have to walk around the gym and get equipment, monitoring carbon dioxide levels and increasing air ventilation when the minimum threshold is reached, and adjusting our programming so you continue to get fit, and can adhere to our COVID safety protocols. 
Some day, probably sooner than we think, herd immunity will be reached. We will be able to rip the tape up from the floor, do a partner workout, high five and hug each other. I know I can't wait for that day. For all of you who have stayed with us since march of last year, we have a special gift for you at the gym. Thank you so, so very much for supporting True Spirit CrossFit. Without you, we would have closed. 
Enjoy today's workout! 

Click Here for The WOD