Strength in Community: Finding Connection Through Quarantine Workouts Anonymous

Blinking sweat from my eyes, I raised my chin up to the pullup bar one last time before dropping down, my muscles trembling. But despite my physical exhaustion at the end of the workout, mentally, I felt reinvigorated and stronger than ever. Minutes later, I sat at my computer, chatting with my friends about our first week in quarantine.

After listening to numerous stories concerning boredom and loneliness, it struck me that I could use my passion for fitness to help my friends—I jumped at the chance to do so. After scouring the internet for the most effective exercises and fitness techniques, I began hosting Zoom workouts, leading friends, family, and anyone else who wanted to join in several fun exercises each week. I hoped these meetings would uplift anyone struggling during quarantine, whether from loneliness, uncertainty, or loss of routine. I created weekly workout plans, integrating cardio, strength, and flexibility exercises into each.

Using what I learned from skating, I incorporated off-ice training exercises into the plans and added stretching routines to each session. Although many members were worried that they wouldn’t be able to complete exercises as well as others and hesitated to turn their cameras on, I...