No Excuses: Sweating with Social Accountability

Screen Shot 2020-03-18 at 5.41.26 PM
Screen Shot 2020-03-18 at 5.41.26 PM

Social distancing has had an impact on Houstonians’ routines — from dining out to working out, the ways people go about their day have changed. Restaurants are adapting by offering to-go alternatives and incentives (see our roundup here), but what about the fitness industry? Moving your body and getting fresh air are important factors in maintaining a sense of normalcy and a positive attitude. Here are some ways that your favorite gyms and boutique studios are stepping up their livestream game to make sure everybody has an opportunity to stay active during their quarantine.


Big Power Yoga

Livestream sweaty, fun yoga routines through Big Power Yoga for $10 a pop. The studio is offering hour-long classes via video-conferencing website Zoom, where Big also hosts a free “Community Circle” video call each day at 12:35pm for folks simply wanting to see other humans’ faces.

Boost Pilates 

The “Boost Babes” are posting at-home, pilates-inspired routines — utilizing everyday props like water bottles, scooters, seat cushions and more — on Boost Pilates’ social media platforms.

CycleBar

With several Houston-area locations, CycleBar is part of a larger national network of fitness concepts. Each is offering its own workout via Facebook Live daily, and the schedule is posted on Instagram and Facebook stories. Today included a Club Pilates 30-minute mat workout at 8am, a CycleBar ride for those with stationary bikes at 9am, a Pure Barre workout at 10am, plus yoga, stretching and rowing in the afternoon.

Define Body & Mind 

Henry Richardson has made his workout classes available online for free, for members and non-members alike. The Define on Demand classes include Bounce (utilizing a small trampoline), barre and yoga (including prenatal), Beat (a rhythm-based, full-body workout), and Mind (breathwork, meditation and mindfulness).

LagreeHTX

Upper Kirby's Lagree studio with a cult following is suggesting routines modified for home use, without its signature megaformer machine. Owner Anna Van Delden offers bite-size sessions (8-12 minutes each) with a slideshow of videos on the LagreeHTX Instagram page.

RYDE

The spin studio with locations in River Oaks and Downtown — and, later this year, the Heights — is going live on Instagram at noon and 7pm daily. Catch 30-minute, rhythm-based, full-body workouts from one of RYDE’s energetic instructors. Workouts are available via Instagram Live for 24 hours.

Shredded by Shelley 

Popular personal trainer Shelley Kutsch is for the first time offering daily workouts that can be streamed online for a small fee. Clients can request access to her new Instagram account (@streamingbyshelley) through direct message.

Dispatches
What’s the Secret to Biz Success? ‘Show Up with Kindness,’ Says Bianca Bucaram

How did you get to where you are today? Passion, persistence, and faith, and a little bit of luck. I graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Political Science and Spanish, on the track to be pre-med. Little did I know that a journey to help my younger sister would set my course to sail in PR. I had no background in communication, except my raw talent, and was fortunate enough to have a family member who needed her story to be told! I was helping tell my younger sister (one of the most recognized influencers in the online vegan community) @fullyrawkristina’s story, and it all blossomed from there.

Keep Reading Show less

The shiny new Dr. Jack Express electric locomotive

JUST IN TIME for a long weekend — and a teeny reprieve from triple-digit temps — Hermann Park Conservancy has announced it will offer free train rides from Aug. 31-Sept. 6 to celebrate a pair of new locomotives.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places

Refreshing bites at Bloom & Bee; the famous French onion soup at Artisans (photo by Shane Dante)

THIS SUMMER HAS been uniquely brutal for the hospitality industry, with devastating losses from the derecho and Beryl. But a bright spot for many has been Houston Restaurant Weeks, the annual August event that gives foodies and restaurants alike a jolt of energy.

Keep Reading Show less
Food