My First Group Fitness Class at an Open Gym Near Me During Quarantine

Me working out at Uplifted Athletics in San Fernando, CA. Wearing Gymshark's men active wear.

I am a firm believer in speaking, or in this case writing, your dreams into existence. A new dream I’ve had is growing my authority and presence in the realm of lifestyle and fitness blogging. Thanks to the help of friends, personal trainers, and group fitness, I lost a life changing amount of weight in one year. Starting my fitness journey helped me overall improve my quality and perspective on life. I’m sure many can relate to feeling uninspired and unproductive doing home workouts during quarantine. Luckily, I finally found an open gym near me.
 
This past week I finally returned to group fitness at an open gym near me here in Los Angeles, CA, specifically in the San Fernando Valley. Reconnecting with my inner athlete feels like a homecoming. Because health and fitness changed my life, I’ve started sharing my story in the hopes of inspiring and connecting with others. I’m back in my preferred, of course following current CDC guidelines like frequently washing my hands, maintaining social distance, and wearing a face mask.
 
Now that I’m feeling creative, productive, and inspired again – feeling like myself – I want to share my experience of going to an open gym near me during quarantine. And I’d also like to share a new vision I have; this new goal is growing my lifestyle and fitness voice to gain the attention and possible invitation to become a Gymshark athlete.

Going to a LA Gym Near Me, Working Out During Quarantine

​Before I talk about my experience returning to group fitness, I think I should care my reasoning for joining an open gym near me. As a young person who lives with his family, I have made it a priority to practice social distancing during quarantine. I regularly get tested for the virus and I have been cautious when I leave my house. My everyday carry items include hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and extra face masks. Because of the stress of this moment I -like many other – have felt myself falling into a depression. It comes in waves, that cold absence of drive to wake-up sometimes. I knew that I missed fitness because activating my body was that thing that helped me reconnect with my body and sense of purpose.
 
In case you didn’t know, I am a marketer by profession and a writer by passion. Creating lifestyle content comes naturally to me. However, I was in a lull where I could not push creativity out. I needed something for me- and that something was going to an open gym again here in L.A. Again, I believe that depending on your comfort only return to a gym or group fitness during quarantine if you are comfortable with that level of risk. In my case, my personal coach is a nurse and she trust this gym and its staff. I have been there, and I too trust the safety measures like wearing masks, wiping down surfaces and equipment frequently, and practicing social distance.

Thanks to the team at Uplifted Athletics gym, a local gym here in San Fernando, CA for welcoming me into a rich community of athletes of all levels. In the few days I worked out there during quarantine I felt like I was reconnected with an old friend. The old friend I reconnected with was my body. From the sweat beads collecting on my head to that pump running up my arms doing a push up, the sensation of working out in a gym again was electric.
 
Thanks to the Uplifted coaches Vanessa and Annysa for cheering on every single person in that room. And a huge thanks to my coach Andrea who not only introduced me to this gym and its staff, but also worked out alongside me. I will say, I loved going to Uplifted Athletics. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I signed up for a membership at the gym!

Now that I’m back in my desired fitness space, I’m back to posting content sharing my fitness journey! In case you’re new, in this last year I lost a life changing amount of weight, almost 65 pounds in one year. In trying to inspire others, the same way I was inspired through coaches and social media, I’m eager to start sharing again my fitness journey. Fingers crossed that Gymshark sees me in their gear too!

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What are your thoughts on going back to gyms or group fitness? Let me know in the comments below or tag me on social media Instagram/Twitter @Willsshowem

Thanks for reading these Words by Will! See you in the next post!

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