*This article is not a definitive list of trainers providing online resources for the Bega Valley to maintain fitness at home, but simply a cross section of the efforts to adapt by trainers who got in touch with Australian Community Media
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Personal trainers across the Bega Valley are adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A majority of the trainers and boot camp leaders from around the Valley have taken to online lessons and programs to keep their clients accountable.
A broad consensus is that social engagement and activity is critical now more than ever as people across the Valley continue efforts to recover from trauma of bushfires and flooding.
"It's been very difficult and overwhelming having to shut the doors of the studio, again for the second time this year," says Tathra Beach Personal Training Studio's Sharri Castellari.
"Everybody's mental and physical health is so important right now, exercise boosts your immunity, lifts you up and makes you feel good, so we all need to keep moving in some way, shape or form."
Merimbula's Tarryn Lucas echoed the sentiment, saying those were able want to keep up with their programming as they don't want to fall back on their starting points.
"Exercising always - but more so right now has profoundly positive impact on depression and anxiety and more. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood and creates a positive mindset," Ms Lucas said.
She said the community was facing enormous risks of loss of income as more and more industries close down, but those who could were eager to continue with their fitness goals in some capacity.
Trainers have mostly been able to adapt to online programming, whether they host live online classes via video feed through their websites, while some are uploading pre-recorded workouts.
Tarryn said she had been working to develop virtual memberships for a few months prior to the pandemic crisis, so adapting to an online structure wasn't too difficult.
"I did have a few things in play that took initial time and I could implement right away which worked in my favour," Tarryn said. "As well as the TLF virtual memberships, I will be doing live videos every now and then on my public page to keep up the positivity of our community. We have been through alot but we are bloody tough and will get through this too."
Seaside Health Club in Merimbula have also taken to launching daily online classes via video link.
"We are now live-streaming group fitness workouts at 9:30am every morning from Mon - Fri. We also post pre-recorded workouts, regular nutrition content, health and mental health information," trainer Paul Perkins said.
Bega trainer Jazzmin Campbell has taken to online training sessions after Bega's United Fitness Studio was forced to close.
She shared in a video on Facebook that the benefit of personal training meant it could be adapted with some having full access to weights, while others had resistance bands and some made do with the kitchen table and chairs.
Jazzmin had plenty of support from clients with William Bloggs sharing on social media: "Jazzmin Campbell UFS trainers, so much knowledge with fitness, health, dietary requirements and nutrition, sports injury rehabilitation. What's best she not only has all the quals but an extensive level of experience from living and studying in Sydney, now bringing it back home to the Sapphire Coast."
Peggy Noble from Merimbula's P4mance Health and Fitness said her studio had to close on Monday, but was making the gesture of putting her exercise routines out on Facebook for everyone.
"Our doors had closed earlier in the year to be an evacuation centre during the fires and we were saddened by another big blow [to the community]," Peggy said.
"As a way of giving back, we have been posting free workouts on our Facebook page.
"It's only small gesture but hopefully something we can do to keep people motivated and their mental health on track."
School of Strength coach Adrian Day in Bega said he has kept an online presence since launching, so the transition hadn't proved too hard.
"The biggest disruption is that private and personal contact that the School offers all its clients as an appointment only facility," Adrian said.
He said a core focus for he and many trainers had been everyone's mental well-being so he made special preparations ahead of time.
"I reached out to students on Sunday the 22nd, pre-empting the close down, and told them I was now invoking the homework clause. I gave them all last week off to let everything sink in, and from Monday, 30th I have been delivering an on line training package for all of my clients.
"Our focus here during the pandemic is physical and mental health. There are 3 sessions a week, and each session covers a warm up, a strength component as well as a core component. Each session is around 20-35 minutes. I am also adding in some mental coaching exercises and a fortnightly catch up over the phone."
"It's tough times, but we are all in the same boat."
Outlets are critical
Carly Manning of the Bermagui Fitness Factory said it had been a tough opening year for her business, and now had concerns for people who were using group classes as a social outlet.
"We got hit with the fires and then this virus," she says. "I was running group fitness classes last week right up until it was no longer an option.
"The community we have created is what worries me most in this time, we have all used fitness as a means to bond and heal from the fires - we are connected like family.
"To not be able to help each other and heal together is a huge worry for me."
Carly said with a switch to online classes she hoped to maintain that outlet for the fitness community to be a part of.
"With classes drawn to a close, I'm launching virtual classes to coincide with my online programming," she said.
Pre-recorded workouts are loaded up and Carly will be able to watch through the website to oversee and correct any form or technique problems as well as continuing the community outlet.
"We used the times with the fires to come together as a community and rally around for support, now were being told to do the exact opposite. It's tough."
33-weeks pregnant, Carly said she was preparing to wind up her training for a while, but was still gutted to hear the forced closure of classes, but she felt compelled to work out a way for people to maintain exercise.
"I think knowing that your helping somebody's physical and especially their emotional health at these times makes you push through and keep going."
Tathra's Sharri Castellari has the same concerns as people of Tathra are still battling the demons of the bushfire that tore through the town on March 18 2018.
"It is really difficult times for everyone, we are all in this together."
Sharri said as restrictions tightened on Monday she made the difficult choice to cease all training sessions and opt for an online business.
"It's been very difficult and overwhelming having to shut the doors of the studio, again for the second time this year," Sharri said.
"Everybody's mental and physical health is so important right now, exercise boosts your immunity, lifts you up and makes you feel good, so we all need to keep moving in some way, shape or form.
"What I am currently working on is creating an online space where people from the community near and far can come together, be there for one another, stay accountable, be present, release those good endorphins, positive vibes and get moving in the comfort of their own homes."
She said Tathra had already overcome a number of hurdles and would emerge stronger once again as the pandemic passes.
Practical solutions for surreal problems
Paul Perkins of Raw Strength in Bombala and partner at Seaside Health in Merimbula said they had been able to loan out some of their equipment ahead of shutdowns to keep people on task from home.
Spin bikes, weights and more have been loaned out to provide people the tools to keep their training on point.
"We have allowed members to borrow equipment from our gym under the same conditions," Paul said.
"We have created an online fitness group that members who wish to continue on with their memberships with us for this period have access to.".
Mr Perkins said he hoped the online classes could provide a bit of "normality" as more and more people found themselves in isolation at home.
Adrian at the School of Strength in Bega has also loaned out some of his equipment to help people stay on track.
"Some have hired the equipment to use until we can re-open," he said.
Seville Ford of Seville Nutrition already has an online presence, but said increased restrictions were forcing some odd improvisations to keep up with programs
"With people I performance coach in the gym and their fitness plans changed dramatically, not everyone has access to weights, so they are forced to learn new ways," Seville said.
"Home workout plans based on bodyweight-only is not just a new world for them but also challenges their mindset and motivation, especially for my bodybuilding clients.
The idea of using sand, rocks, water, cans and other heavy goods from the pantry, instead of weights, certainly keeps things interesting."