Exercise gives us a boost both physically and mentally. Working out regularly improves strength, endurance, and cardiovascular and respiratory health. Studies have shown it also reduces anxiety, depression, and negative moods. All these benefits mean regular workouts may be more important than ever during this uncertain time. However, with many gyms closed and group workouts far on the horizon, it can be difficult to get in a good workout. Luckily, local companies are bringing their offerings to us with online classes in every fitness variety.
Yoga
Based in Albuquerque, mobile fitness studio YogaZo is known for bringing classes to wherever their students are. It offers classes in museums, cultural centers, and breweries. Now, its squad of teachers have created online classes and a full membership platform that you can access anytime and anywhere that’s convenient for you.
In the Capital City, Up Yoga Santa Fe offers a variety of classes via livestream. The studio’s signature Power Up classes take attendees through a challenging flow, while other classes are more restful. Yoga Source Santa Fe offers two to four sessions a day via the internet, with classes for every interest. It offers vinyasa flows; classes for strength and stability, and alignment; and gentle classes. All the studios welcome students of all abilities and present plenty of modifications to make the poses work for you.
TRX
Rebel is offering Skype-based classes from its East Downtown Albuquerque gym. The gym specializes in TRX (bodyweight suspension training); however, the instructors help participants modify exercises for home. They help attendees build strength and cardiovascular fitness with simple resistance bands and body-weight movements.
CrossFit
CrossFit Albuquerque posts free daily work-out guides on its blog. The home workouts include warm-ups, cardiovascular exercises (for example, short runs interspersed with sit-ups and push-ups), and weightlifting. Most of the exercises can be done at home. Even if you don’t have an at-home weightlifting set-up, you can use items from around the house.
In the City Different, Undisputed Fitness is presenting free live sessions online three times a day (at 6 a.m., noon, and 5:30 p.m.) Monday through Friday. Plus, its YouTube channel offers a handful of full workouts as well as quick tutorials to perfect certain exercises.
Zumba
One of the most popular Zumba studios in Albuquerque, Sabrina’s Z Crew Fitness, is offering online classes via the ever-popular web conferencing app Zoom. Sabrina herself leads the hip-shaking, heart-pounding Latin dance fitness classes several times a week.
Full Body Workouts
In Santa Fe, Railyard Fit hasn’t missed a beat during COVID-19. The gym has taken all of its weekly classes online via Zoom. The schedule includes a smorgasbord of classes, including kettlebell, barre, shadow boxing, and HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training).
The novel coronavirus may have closed Defined Fitness’s nine locations across the state, but the gym has taken its classes online. Its fitness instructors are now teaching free group exercise classes live three times a day on Facebook and Instagram at 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m. The classes are available to everyone, not just gym members.
Pilates
Pilates instructors are setting aside their reformers and pulling out their mats for at-home classes. Club Pilates and CoreWorks, both based in Albuquerque, are teaching classes that stretch and strengthen using mats, and the occasional prop, like bands, rollers, and light hand weights. Somos Pilates is offering specialty classes, including HIIT Pilates and exercise-ball Pilates, for groups, duos, and individuals.
With so much of the world on pause during the public health emergency, these local fitness companies are helping keep New Mexicans on track with their fitness and health.
A New Mexican Perspective
