Gyms and fitness facilities have opened their doors again in Medford, but it’s far from “business as usual.” From on-demand yoga classes you can do from home to air high-fives and kickboxing in the park, we talked with two local gym/wellness owners about how they’ve shifted their businesses to meet new state safety protocols and why it’s important to keep active during uncertain times.
Ninja and Anna Nguyen, owners: Xtreme Ninja Martial Arts
What are the biggest benefits to staying active and connected during this crisis?
As martial artists we are always reaching for a goal, to improve, to be better than yesterday, to get that kick a little higher or punch a little faster and stronger. This applies to daily life as well, life off the mat. This is the moment to evaluate our own health of mind, of spirit and of physical body so we can create a better life and be stronger mentally, spiritually and physically. It does not matter what culture or background one comes from, we all want love, but we must first love ourselves and take care of ourselves.
What are you most excited about now that Phase 3 has allowed you to open back up?
We are so excited and grateful to be reconnected with our community. We are still offering virtual classes in addition to on-site classes. It is our honor to provide a safe and clean space for our members to maintain their health. This is a true moment to reevaluate one’s health and make it a first priority in life. And might as well make it fun too! Our classes are always fun, challenging and full of sweat, smiles and air high-fives!
“The main shift was to online virtual class offerings which we still continue to offer. We run smaller class sizes for on-site, and members have to reserve a spot in class using our studio app. This also is great for creating accountability to training!”
How have your business/classes/offerings changed? What preventative measures and/or procedures have you put in place to keep your members safe? Prior to COVID-19 we made cleanliness and safety a priority. One of our goals has always been to be the cleanest and safest place in town. So that part was an easy adjustment to make. The main shift was to online virtual class offerings which we still continue to offer. We run smaller class sizes for on-site, and members have to reserve a spot in class using our studio app. This also is great for creating accountability to training! We also have a FREE Kickboxing Bootcamp class that we run outdoors at Condon Shell Park in Medford every Friday at 7pm.
Xtreme Ninja is offering two new client specials:
Adult Class 2 Week Trial: $39.99
Two weeks of unlimited classes in kickboxing, strength & conditioning, Muay Thai and Karate plus FREE boxing gloves
Two foundation youth classes in either Muay Thai/Kidsboxing or Karate for six weeks, an online course, plus a free gift
Visit www.xtremeninja.com to learn about their martial arts & fitness offerings or download the free app: Google Play or Apple App Store (Studio code: 7813957131)
Emilie Reid, Owner: Borealis Yoga
What are the biggest benefits to staying active and connected during this crisis? Perfect health is a balance between body, mind, spirit and social well-being. It’s more than physical. We're not just a pile of meat and bones. When the mental, emotional and social aspects of us feel strong and healthy, the physical body - and the immune system - has the best chance to do its job, too.
Connection is a key part of the Borealis mission. When we humans get out of the routine of practicing yoga, exercising, walking, meditating, or swimming, we tend to forget very quickly how good we feel after doing it. We need to keep doing the things in order to remember how good we can feel, how amazing life can truly be, and that we're so much more than what's going on around us and in the news.
“When the mental, emotional and social aspects of us feel strong and healthy, the physical body – and the immune system – has the best chance to do its job, too.”
How has your business been impacted during this COVID-19 pandemic?
90% of Borealis's revenue comes from in-person services, including yoga + wellness classes, massage, and travel retreats. All of that stopped abruptly in March. The catastrophic loss of revenue means that we've also had to cut back significantly on staff work hours.
The most heart-breaking thing is we can only have 6 students in a studio that once welcomed up to 37 on a busy Saturday morning. While this makes sense from a health standpoint, it doesn't make any sense from a business perspective.
How have your business/classes/offerings changed? What preventative measures and/or procedures have you put in place to keep your members safe?
One thing that's changing is that we're no longer calling people "members." Borealis is not a club, and our services are open to everyone in the community.
Our newest offering is our Online Studio. This allows people to practice yoga along with a teacher live several times a week from the comfort of their home. There's also a library of shorter practices and videos they can practice along with on-demand anytime. The feedback we've gotten in the 4 months since we started the Online Studio is incredible. Moms with young children who are working from home love the on-demand videos in particular. And some students who have family members who are immuno-compromised are also grateful, since they won't be able to come to in-person classes in the near future.
We also offer more outdoor yoga classes. Thanks to our partnership with the Medford Recreation Department, we host several outdoor classes each week at the Condon Shell Park.
“Our newest is our Online Studio. This allows people to practice yoga along with a teacher live several times a week from the comfort of their home.”
When it comes to keeping people safe, we're following the protocols from the state and local health department. We've already gotten in the habit of cleaning and sanitizing all high-touch areas regularly. Capacity will be severely limited, with yoga mats spaced 14 feet apart. This way, everyone can practice safely. We also got rid of our cozy hang-out spots, since unfortunately we can't hang out in the studio between classes. We'll simply have to get used to connecting with each other from 14 feet apart instead. It's an adjustment, but I think everyone will get into the new habit.
Join the Borealis Online Studio
$15 for a day pass, or subscribe for unlimited access for $33 per month
Check out our other Medford Spotlight posts.