COVID-19 Fitness at Home Guide for Berks

In the interest of staying fit at home and supporting local Berks fitness-related businesses to the best extent that we can as residents, we’ve compiled a list of those who have adjusted their business models and are offering online classes.

Ahimsa Wellness Studio, Kutztown, is offering yoga classes and workshops on demand: anything from a level 1, gentle flow, to a fast-paced, strength-building level 2-3. Their workshops include a two-part Awaken a Yoga Practice series discussing anatomy to promote a safe at-home yoga practice during this time. They also have an outdoor meditation workshop. Each month, videos are added. Videos can be purchased individually for $10 with 30 days of access or users can subscribe for $35 a month and have unlimited access to all videos.

Berks Ballet Theatre Conservatory of Dance Owner/Director Nathan Bland recently oversaw the planning and execution of virtual classes which were recorded in the studio prior to the Commonwealth’s closing mandate of non-essential businesses. BBTCD faculty instructors including Kelly Barber, Hailey Galosi and Kristina Dennis were all a part of the recordings.

Along with the class content created, the conservatory faculty are continuing to create content remotely, which is then added to the platform weekly. Heather Moore, BBTCD’s newest faculty member, has shared ballet and conditioning classes, while guest instructors like Rachael Hart – an alumna who’s danced in touring Broadway productions – has added Pilates, conditioning and jazz/modern dance content. BBTCD students can expect more faculty and guest instructor classes over the next several weeks.

The virtual learning platform was built by Lee Singletary of LS Design. On it, each of BBTCD’s learning tracks features different videos (classes) geared to what students would otherwise be working on in-studio. For the younger students there are activities that correspond with what they are working on as well. (For example, ballet terminology matching worksheets, games and coloring pages, which can be printed and used at home, etc.)

Additionally, Bland has hosted hour-long live barre classes geared to intermediate dancers on Instagram. These mobile videos are recorded and hosted on the non-password protected area of the Virtual Studio for the public to enjoy.

Body Zone Sports and Wellness in Wyomissing knows that exercise is important during this time – for both physical and mental wellness – and they have you covered. They’ve set up work outs at home with FREE resources from their Fitness Partners, including:

  • Les Mills On-Demand “At Home Workouts.” Thanks to our friends at Les Mills you can continue your BODYFLOW practice, punch it out with BODYCOMBAT, dance for fitness, de-stress with meditation and more — at home and for free. The platform offers 95 free workouts across 10 categories and also includes a super fun way to get our kids moving with BORN TO MOVE — a fun workout for children ages six to 14. No need to subscribe — just scroll through all the options. Click this link to get started: https://watch.lesmillsondemand.com/at-home-workouts
  • MYZONE Master Trainer bodyweight workouts. These amazing workouts are free, daily and live! Follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
  • SilverSneakers Virtual Exercise Classes. These are free Facebook Live events. Follow them on Facebook for more info.
  • Rock Steady Boxing for people with Parkinson’s “On-Your-Own” exercise series. Go to their YouTube page for stretches, warm-ups, workouts, core work and cool-downs. Fourteen videos have already been produced with four more on the way. Link: https://youtu.be/9lbbkNLTApE
  • Mindful.org How to Meditate. An incredibly helpful how-to, get started guide to meditating for lowering stress and just dealing with daily life. Link: https://www.mindful.org/how-to-meditate/
  • Wellbeats On-Demand Fitness. Free access to 500, 1- to 60-minute classes, nutrition education and challenges for the whole family and for Body Zone members only until April 30. Email our staff to get your access code. Step 1: Download the Wellbeats App or visit their website portal: portal.wellbeats.com. Step 2: Select “Register Via Code” and use your special invitation code. Step 3: Play a fitness class.
  • “Workout of the Day” by Life Fitness Digital Coach. Access free, at-home and new workouts every day. Link: https://go.lifefitness.com/wod

And they have workouts from their own BZ Fitness and Wellness Team for you as well on their Facebook page and via Zoom.

Class Schedule For Week Of May 11

Please note: Rock Steady Boxing is our special group fitness program for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Monday, May 11

8:00 – 8:45 AM: Rise and Shine Gentle Yoga with Rachel Stine on Body Zone’s Facebook LIVE

8:30 – 9:15 AM: Rock Steady Boxing Level 1/2 class with Chris Peale on Zoom. Email learn@bodyzonesports.com to get Zoom invite link.

9:30 – 10:15 AM: Step Works with LuAnn Wolfe on Zoom. Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87189245537

10:30 – 11:15 AM: SilverSneakers Classic with Chris Butler on Zoom. Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84299987497

12:00 – 12:30 PM: Full Body Push! with Sue Daly on Zoom. Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85259770065

4:30 – 5:00 PM: HIIT with Tammy Partsch on Body Zone’s Facebook LIVE

Tuesday, May 12

9:00 – 9:45 AM: Athletic Barre with Julianne Smith on Body Zone’s Facebook LIVE

10:00 – 10:45 AM: Dance Party with Nina Symons on Zoom. Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81911889675

11:15 – 11:45 AM: BZ Fit Kids with Shakeem Hodge on Body Zone’s Facebook LIVE

12:00 – 12:30 PM: Full Body Push! with Sarah Vecchio on Body Zone’s Facebook LIVE

1:00 – 1:45 PM: Rock Steady Boxing Level 3/4 class with Andre Lockhart on Zoom. Email learn@bodyzonesports.com to get Zoom link invite

4:30 – 5:15 PM: BODYATTACK with Ashleigh Marrella on Body Zone’s Facebook LIVE

Wednesday, May 13

9:00 – 9:30 AM: Fight Club with Shakeem Hodge on Body Zone’s Facebook LIVE

10:00 – 10:45 AM: Rock Steady Boxing Level 1/2 class with Sarah Vecchio on Zoom. Email learn@bodyzonesports.com to get Zoom invite link.

11:00 – 11:45 AM: SilverSneaker Circuit with Chris Butler on Zoom. Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85838408225

12:00 – 12:30 PM: CXWORX with Chrystine Mitchell on Body Zone’s Facebook LIVE

5:30 – 6:15 PM: Athletic Barre with Tammy Partsch on Body Zone’s Facebook LIVE

Thursday, May 14

9:00-9:45 AM: BZ Boot Camp with Melissa Figura on Zoom. Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85018989370

11:00 – 11:45 AM: Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Rachel Stine on Body Zone’s Facebook LIVE

12:30 – 1:15 PM: Full Body Push! with Emily Gordon on Body Zone’s Facebook LIVE

Friday, May 15

8:30 – 9:30 AM: BODYFLOW with LuAnn Wolfe on Zoom. Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86347834531

10:00 – 10:45 AM: SilverSneakers Circuit with Kris Gillotti on Zoom. Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86252090327

11:00 – 11:45 AM: Rock Steady Boxing Level 3/4 class with Emily Gordon on Zoom. Email learn@bodyzonesports.com to get Zoom invite link

12:00 – 12:30 PM: Arms, Abs & Legs with Audrey Turner on Body Zone’s Facebook LIVE

Saturday, May 16

9:30 – 10:00 AM: Fight Club with Shakeem Hodge on Body Zone’s Facebook LIVE

10:30 – 11:15 AM: Power Yoga with Rachel Stine on Body Zone’s Facebook LIVE

Class Descriptions

Arms, Abs & Legs: Just like the title says! It’s time to keep those arms, abs and legs in shape during this time at home. Get ready for the burn!

Athletic Barre: Grab a chair and join us for a barre class that focuses on building strong legs, core and upper body using small and repetitive moves.

BZ Boot Camp: Melissa’s signature, energetic and athletic class mixes high intensity cardio and muscle conditioning.

BZ Fit Kids by Coach Shakeem Hodge makes fitness fun for ages 7-12. Every 30-minute class will cover agility, core and strength work along with Shakeem’s basic introduction to boxing — just for kids! Beginners welcome. No prior exercise experience or equipment required. Every Tuesday (until further notice) at 11:15 am on Body Zone’s Facebook Live.

Fight Club: Train like a boxer with a pro boxer as your coach! Expect high energy and lots of fun in this high intensity cardio and strength class. Boxing technique and footwork will be a focus.

Full Body Push! This will be a total body workout! Squats, push ups and presses will be used to make your heart rate rise and get you burning those calories.

HIIT: Tammy’s HIIT class is all about intervals of strength, cardio and core to give you a full body workout.

Lower Body HIIT: Class is all about the lower body with lots of cardio to keep your heart rate up!

“Rise & Shine” Gentle Yoga: Start your day with breathing techniques, stretching and a yoga flow for your day.

Pilates: Strengthen and stretch your body while focusing on muscles of the core. For all levels.

Power Yoga: A Vinyasa style, intermediate yoga class that moves you through all postures at a moderate pace with strong focus on breath awareness.

Restorative Yoga: A gentle and relaxing yoga practice where poses are held longer. A pillow or two is all that is needed to enjoy this class to help you unwind.

SilverSneakers Circuit: A standing circuit workout that develops cardio and muscular endurance. Upper body strength work is alternated with non-impact aerobic choreography. Make sure you have a chair nearby for support and stretches.

Step Works: Expect cardio and step choreography fun even if you don’t have a step! This is LuAnn’s signature format — get ready.

Vinyasa Flow: A moderately paced class with emphasis on good alignment and conscious movement with breath.

Zumba: A latin-inspired, dance-fitness class that incorporates international music and dance movements and combines fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body using an aerobics/fitness approach.

Check Body Zone’s Instagram and Facebook pages for:

  • Workout of the Day Challenge by Sarah Vecchio, BZ Director of FitnessMYZONE
  • Daily Challenge by Jason Kelly, BZ Director of Wellness Operations

“Smart Choices for Every Day” Nutrition Calendar

Body Zone also rolled out its annual National Nutrition Month calendar/checklist for members. Check it out for useful tips to help you power up your nutrition wisdom. Download our nutrition calendar activity for a daily dose of nutrition options and education on their benefits.

Like and follow them on Facebook for a virtual at-home fitness line-up (@bodyzonesports). And visit online at https://bodyzonesports.com/bz-at-home/.

Garage Strength in Fleetwood is currently offering an in-home custom programming option at a reduced rate. Click here to learn more: https://www.garagestrength.com/products/in-home-custom-training

hOMe PYM in Reading is holding free virtual offerings through May 11.

See the schedule below.

Every Tuesday, 7-8:30pm: Free Community Support Call & Guided Meditation with Caroline via Zoom

Every Wednesday at 7pm: Free Guided Meditation with Tara

  • Email Tara to register and receive the link for the meditation.

Every Thursday at 6-6:30pm: Facebook Live Energy Healing with Christopher

Every Saturday at 10am: Facebook Live Energy Healing with Christopher

  • To help reduce fear and anxiety related to COVID-19 and to help boost immunity
  • Live on his Facebook Page
  • Please feel free to "friend" Christopher so you can access this healing.

Just Breathe Yoga & Fitness in Sinking Spring is offering online courses and subscriptions in yoga, meditation, stress-relief, singing and more through our online platform at the Beautiful Souls Academy.

Prices vary depending on the course, and some content is available for free.

Katie K of Katie K Active wants to keep you motivated. She knows with everything going on, it’s hard. But there are so many benefits to moving your body and getting your blood pumping! To give you workouts you can do at home, she has created a 25-Minute Total Body Resistance Band Workout for you. Hit every body part and get a strength workout using just 1 band. Challenge your muscles in a new way and get your body moving. You’ll be amazed how much one little band can do!

Kula Kamala Foundation in Oley is offering live streaming classes and seminars by donation. Check out their schedule here:

REGULAR LIVE STREAMING CLASSES on Facebook

  • Mon-Sat: 6:30am Japa Meditation (chanting and silence - no experience necessary)
  • Mon-Sat: 6pm Aarti, a Hindu fire ritual that includes chanting mantras of peace and wellness.
  • Sun: 8am Meditation; 9am Yin Yoga; 10:30am Wisdom Circle Satsang (a spiritual discussion); 11:45am Aarti

LJ’s Fitness in Womelsdorf, with the help of their instructors, has been doing Facebook Live classes almost daily. All of these classes are available FREE on their Facebook page in the video library. The classes range from low impact yoga and functional training classes for seniors and beginners, to H.I.I.T. classes, power yoga, kickboxing and more. There is something for everyone! They are also posting fitness tips and other items on their Facebook page. Many of the videos can also be found FREE on their YouTube channel for those that do not use Facebook.

Our Whole Living Project LLC, Sinking Spring, reminds us that our mental health is also important. People are struggling with the fallout of a collective crisis, and it's affecting everyone's mental health in different ways. Our Whole Living helps with finding ways to get people toward feeling whole again and has moved its practice completely online  for now to accommodate stay at home orders, which has increased the practice’s flexibility in scheduling appointments that meet the needs of people faced with new responsibilities, like homeschooling or working from home.  Our Whole Living Project is also offering reduced fee sessions for those affected financially by COVID-19. 

The Salt Lounge, Wyomissing, is offering mini-meditations from staff members on its Facebook page. Visit them at facebook.com/TheSaltLounge/.

Are you a local fitness-related business and would like your business information included in this listing? No problem! Just email us your offerings to RJones@BerksCountyLiving.com