Santé journalist Esmir van Wering is embracing fitness in the COVID-19 era. She's thrilled that outdoor group classes have resumed and shares the pure joy they bring.
"When lockdown hit, I envisioned myself on the couch—packing on pounds and feeling blue. Not happening! As a lifelong group fitness enthusiast and optimist, I dove into home workouts indefinitely. Result? No quarantine weight gain, just more muscle. Mission accomplished!"
From day one, I've tuned into sports coach Eduard Bekkers' Facebook sessions via Health Club Jordaan Live. Post-class coffee chats with gym pals? Now it's lively banter with fellow home athletes during class.
For the coach, COVID-era teaching flips the script from gym norms. "I pour energy into my iPad with minimal feedback," says Bekkers. "So I prompt screen participants: share struggles, thumbs up, hearts. It builds group vibe and dynamics. Post-class, reading messages fuels me—hilarious energy live streaming lacks."
Home workouts' bonus: Gym travel time now means double sessions. Laptop off, quick shower, done.
"Online reaches my four gyms' members at once, plus folks from Belgium, Norway, and Spain," Bekkers shares. "Feedback's unreal—I'm their daily bright spot, sparking laughs amid stress, helping endure. Priceless!"
Outdoor workouts are greenlit, gyms reopen July 1. Fresh Fitness celebrates with sessions at hotspots like the Amsterdam Tower. Count me in!
Aboard the ferry overlooking the IJ, nerves mix with excitement—not just group training after weeks apart, but meeting online chat buddies IRL. Feels like a reunion with strangers.
Thirty strong atop the Tower, toting dumbbells, water, towels, mats. I spot online friends from profiles. Vibe's electric, like longtime training partners. Sun shines (sunscreen applied!), view's Instagram-gold. Group fitness was great; now it's essential. "Live dynamics beat all," says Bekkers, "but I'll miss those sweet participant messages, haha."
Excitement led to Spa Zuiver's spinning class: 45 bikes poolside. Uplifting tunes, full sun (lotion on!), pure Ibiza resort magic. Endorphins surge pre-start. Bliss!
"Post-July, gyms limit capacity," Bekkers notes. "High-intensity like Spinning and PowerPump stays online—it's the new normal."
