NEW LENOX, IL — With the difficulties caused by the coronavirus, many businesses have had to close completely or adjust their operations. At CrossFit Invalesco in New Lenox, the business had to close per Governor JB Pritzker’s stay-at-home order, but owner Alison Rogers and coaches at the facility are still offering virtual services to members.
The facility, at 22005 Howell Drive, initially did an equipment check-out for members so they could have access to equipment while the business is closed.
Rogers said coaches are also doing twice-a-day live coach Zoom workouts.
“Our coaches hop onto a Zoom call and provide as close to a ‘class environment’ as possible,” Rogers said. “We provide movement modifications, workout focus, strategy as well as coaching everyone on all of the points of performance for the various movements.”
Rogers added that the calls are also a social outlet as well, since members chat during warm-ups and after the workouts too.
The coaches release a video every evening with three different workouts with variations that anyone can do from home, even if they don’t have equipment.
“The videos go through detailed explanations of the workouts as well as demos of all movements so people can do the workouts on their own even if they can’t get on the Zoom calls,” Rogers said.
In addition to the virtual workouts, CrossFit Invalesco also started a Bingo card contest. The card has 25 spaces with various challenges for members to complete.
“Some challenges are geared to help each other like, ‘post a delicious recipe to the members group’ and others are physical challenges like ‘run a mile for time,'” Rogers said, adding the cards help people stay accountable. Members have the chance to get raffle tickets for completing challenges, and at the end of April, the business will be doing a drawing for prizes.
Looking to the future, Rogers said coaches plan to start a nutrition program, which will help keep people on track with daily accountability.
“This is the perfect time to get focused on things that you can control,” Rogers said. “Controlling the controllables helps keep people focused and feeling good in this crazy environment.”
“I know all of us cannot wait to get back in the gym, but for now we are still in this together.”
This article originally appeared on the New Lenox Patch