By Jessica Anstice
With gyms and studios shut for the foreseeable future due to the coronavirus pandemic, like many, Cardinia Crossfit has moved to online fitness classes.
Members of the well-known local gym were devastated when their place of fitness was forced to close in March due to government regulations imposed on all gyms.
Members wanted to keep fit but were not sure how that would happen.
Owner, Alana Zubcic, and her coaching team, Kelly Sayer and Virginia Salvar, took matters into their own hands.
“I knew it was coming as I had been following other affiliates around the world,” Ms Zubcic said.
“I was already preparing to go online virtually and setting up Zoom classes.
“Once the announcement was made, I was still devastated. I think I cried for two days before picking myself up and knowing that I have a great community behind me.”
She quickly lent out all of the gym’s fitness equipment to members and launched into virtual classes.
Ms Zubcic and her team of seasoned coaches have been offering 21 coach supervised classes per week, free nutrition coaching, mindfulness sessions, monthly fitness challenges and trivia nights for fun.
“I care about my client’s wellbeing anytime, more so during this time,” she said.
“We are all in it together, it’s about finding the right balance.”
Cardinia Crossfit member, Carina Tomietto, said when she logs into an online class, the “eagle eyes” of the coaches is what keeps her motivated.
“You cannot underestimate what the coaches can see through zoom,” she said.
Members are training from their lounges, garages, outdoor areas or home gyms, with people joining classes around their work commitments or parent home-schooling duties.
‘The coaches have been marvellous, modifying our group exercises depending on the equipment we each have,” Ms Tomietto added.
Mother of two, Kirsty Pekusic, said, “Cardinia CrossFit zoom workouts have been an amazing way to work on my fitness during this time in lockdown.
“Alana and the coaching team are incredibly supportive and keep us all active and accountable.
“Being able to do the workouts at home with minimal space/equipment and with my kids around has been just perfect.”
Continuing to exercise has allowed many members to remain sane and continue moving towards their fitness goals.
