The HOTWORX franchise originally designed its patented infrared workout sauna for small groups to train together. It was never anticipated that the sauna would one day provide exercise in a way that would allow for very precise social distancing during a pandemic. Under normal, pre-COVID, circumstances, up to three people can workout inside of the sauna for fast, fun and effective group training. One day we will work out together again with our friends, but right now we must use extra precaution and play the hand that we have been dealt by the virus.
When the pandemic hit, causing a nationwide lockdown, the HOTWORX team quickly adapted technology to provide a workout at home option, and immediately began to plan for how we would keep members safe upon re-opening.
Fortunately for our franchise organization we own all of our app technology and were able to adapt rapidly to the new normal. When our locations were allowed to re-open we were good to go because we had already deployed tech updates to manage the COVID response. The Burn Off App was reconfigured to allow for single occupancy of the saunas during workouts with the other two slots marked as temporarily unavailable. The result made for an excellent fitness studio social distancing solution with private workouts inside of an entirely closed in session space.
Customers enter the sauna where they close the door behind them and perform a solo workout one-on-one with the virtual instructor/trainer. This workout is completely isolated from everything and everyone in the studio. Our studio locations range in size from 5 to 10 saunas each. This is also fortunate to allow for a maximum of only 10 persons working out in the studio at any one given time.
It is likely true to say that this workout is now the most socially secured workout available anywhere in the health club industry.
While inside of the sauna members can workout in the enclosed environment and sweat out the stress, detox and gain strength. Before, during and after their workouts, high quality sanitation supplies and hand sanitizers are provided for additional cleaning beyond what is provided by the staff.
We all look forward to the day when we can train like we used to but it is just not possible at this time due to the Coronavirus. There are companies competing hard to bring the first vaccine to market for this terrible plague, and I for one feel confident that we will soon see relief from this strange and terrible crisis. But in the meantime we must all remain diligent, patient and positive while we live our lives and adapt to the new, albeit temporary, normal.
Adapt and be fit.
Don’t let the negative critics keep you from forging ahead. Keep the future you want in focus and find the opportunity in adversity.
Workout hard in appropriate environments, wear the mask, wash hands and…
KEEP POWERING THROUGH!!
We got this!
