While most activities are under restrictions these days, staying fit may become a challenge for many people. However, Jennifer Olfert, an Estevan personal trainer, believes that there are hundreds of opportunities to keep fit and healthy even if the gyms are temporarily closed.
“I offer online classes. I’m just adding women into a private group, where I post different things. Every day I post a workout. It’s geared towards all women and all body types. I have younger women in this group. I have grandmas. I have women who I’ve been coaching for 10 years. So I make sure that I show all different kinds of different ways that you can do different movements. There are some advanced ones, but I always break it down so anybody and everybody can participate in this,” explained Olfert.
Typically, there is a cost to join the private group for 12 weeks, but during the times of pandemic, to ensure people still stay healthy even though they can’t do many things they are used to doing, Olfert decided to change the rules for everybody in the community as well as for her long-time customers from all across North America.
“If you are still working and COVID-19 hasn’t affected you and your family, if you are able to, you can pay a registration fee, whatever works for you. I didn’t really say much of a price. But if you find yourself in a time that you are struggling to meet ends, I still want you to be a part of this group. I believe that everybody has something to offer. So if you’ve ever thought about being a part of one of my groups then I want you in this group here,” said Olfert.
“During these times of so much uncertainty, I’m so concerned about our mental health. And I firmly believe that moving and being active is going to help you largely.”
Olfert trains at Living Skies Crossfit South and also runs a home-based gym JO Fit. Both locations are not available to the public during these times, but she still uses her home gym for online classes. Olfert has been lending out equipment to ensure people get the best of their exercise routine, but she also shows how participants can workout and get great results even without any extras.
And while her customers come from all different walks of life, she believes that sports help everybody to cope with stress and physical challenges.
“There are so many of us that aren’t working or are working continual hours. I have a doctor that is in the group, I have a pharmacist, I have registered nurses. And they all are needing this as an avenue so that they can work off some of that energy and feeling of the unknown at these scary times. It’s really for everybody, so I’m really excited and pleased that I can offer it,” said Olfert.
She does life videos every day, which are posted on the Facebook page so participants can access it at their convenience. She also posts some recipes of healthy meals good for training routines, such as protein balls and others.
Currently, there are about 90 participants in the group, and they all can share some ideas, suggestions and just positive vibes.
“We are all on different walks, so it’s really interesting to learn and hear and know that we are not alone,” said Olfert.
Most sessions are relatively short and include a warm-up, so people could put in some work even if they don’t have much time during the day. Even if people don’t have the equipment and don’t join the group, Olfert believes that a little bit of fitness can improve their lives big time. And if there is no time for a full work-out, she suggests even doing some particular exercises will make a difference.
“I think squats are important. I think working on your core, different things like doing planks, different things to get your heart rate up. It’s really good to do some strength (exercises) as well, trying to make it diverse, working on strength, mobility, agility,” said Olfert.
And while there are many options people can try at home, the biggest advantage of being a part of the group is the peer and trainer support.
“It’s easy to sit back and say that you are going to do something, but when you are a part of a group it helps to keep you accountable and you can check in with each other. And it’s just that much more fun when you can see that you are a part of the community,” said Olfert.
There are other trainers, like Kim Mayuk from OM Yoga Studio, who join Olfert during her sessions to show that there are many options for people and there are many small businesses in Estevan that “care deeply” for their customers and keep providing services even when they had to close their doors.
“This is just the way that I can give back. This is the way that I know that I can help out. This is why I chose to do this,” said Olfert.
To join the group people need to find JO Fit on Facebook, send them a message explaining what they are interested in and they’ll go from there. The group is private, so Olfert has to add everyone to it for them to be able to watch the classes.
“I like to keep track of who is all in the group and I like to touch basis with everybody and make sure that I am trying to meet all of their needs,” said Olfert.
Olfert also provides a lot of feedback to participants and views the group as a way to keep each other accountable, checking on and cheering people so they keep moving towards their goals.
