Adam Prudhomme
Editor
In an effort to combat the boredom that comes with social distancing and isolation, Napanee-based fitness instructor Meighen Hodgen has taken to hosting classes live on Facebook.
The doors to her Strathcona Paper Centre gym closed to the public amid COVID-19 precautions, the Diamond Fitness MMA owner still teaches a daily 45 minute class inside the empty gym. The class is broadcast live and is available for free to anyone with Facebook access by searching Diamond Fitness Mix Martial Arts Napanee. The video can be viewed at any time after the broadcast for those who aren’t able to tune in live.
“For me it was a way to reach as many people as possible so they can access these videos online at home,” Hodgen said of broadcasting live on Facebook. “They can enjoy the workouts from a distance, so to speak.”
Those that do tune in are getting the benefit of a free class led by a registered kinesiologist with a decade worth of fitness experience.
“Typically I’ll do one class per day, usually in the evening, I’m trying to stick around the 6 p.m. mark if people want to see it live,” she said. “The videos will all be saved to the Facebook feed after that. Right now I’m just doing general work outs, incorporating a little bit of kickboxing into it. When you don’t have any equipment, you have to be creative.”
Hodgen’s online classes are just one example of how business owners have had to get creative as they weather the uncertainty that looms over the country. There’s still no definite time frame for just how long experts will recommend social distancing practices. Staying active is one way to keep the mind off the uncertainty, as well as to stay healthy while in isolation.
“I want to create workouts to get people moving,” said Hodgen. “I feel that many people with this social distancing, it causes people to be at home and not doing a lot. It’s pretty easy for me to do this to try and give back to the community.”
Though her workouts are geared towards all ages, there will be more kid-friendly content coming later this week as well when Diamond Fitness’ kids program director Olivia Hodgen will be broadcasting games and activities for the younger generation.