“Back to base in 3, 2, 1 – base pace, treads.” It’s been 112 days since I heard that phrase in a live Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) class.
Since quarantine began nearly 4 months ago, gyms, restaurants, bars, and other various types of businesses closed.
Gatherings among friends and family, travel between cities and countries, and other forms of interaction froze.
Depending on your location in the world, governments are clearing the way for these businesses to re-open. The pace and results are also different.
My local OTF studio is set to re-open tomorrow. While I’m excited, I’m also appreciating the focus that OTF is putting toward the safety of its members and staff around the world.
Back to Base – Overview
Back to Base is in reference to OTF’s concept of base pace.
Full details can be found on the OTF website, but here are some highlights of the new safety precautions and other changes to classes.
These can vary depending on your location and other variables.
Related: Orangetheory Fitness: It’s All About That Base (Pace)!
Coaches and Staff Safety Precautions
Coaches and other staff members will be wearing gloves and face masks; they will also get temperature checks before starting a shift.
For station switches, coaches will give members a cleansing wipe before each switch. In the past, coaches gave a wipe before the first switch.
Coaches will also have their own headset and microphone cover. Previously, coaches typically shared a mic pack but only had their own microphone cover.
Member Safety Precautions
In the lobby, members will no longer receive tread, rower, and floor cards. However, the OTF staff will still assign each member a station number. The goal is to space people apart.
Studios will also be equipped with touchless hand sanitizer dispensers. Members can also expect to see floor markers to remind everyone to keep at least 6 feet apart and at a safe social distance.
Depending on your studio, you might have had towels in the past available to you in the studio when exercising. In addition to ceasing to allow showers at the studio, OTF has stopped its towel services.
OTF also published the following member lobby procedures:
Class Size and Structure
Depending on your location, class sizes might be smaller to space members further apart for social distancing.
The class length might also be shorter. My studio, for example, will be holding 45-minute classes (vs. the usual 60 minutes). This is to allow for cleaning in between classes.
The studio can hold up to 45 members in a single class. This usually consists of three groups of 15 on rowers, treadmills, and the weight room floor.
The standard OTF studio holds up to 36 members in a single class (three groups of 12).
At this time, my studio will be capping the class size to 24 members to allow for social distancing.
Other Good Stuff to Know
While these again might vary by studio and location, here are some other things to note (might be covered in the image above):
No lockers – try to limit the number of things you bring.
No water fountains except to fill up your bottle with the touchless bottle sensor.
Group cool-down only – after class ends, the coaches will ask you to leave the studio in groups as opposed to hanging out to stretch further.
Extended membership/freeze – if you have concerns about coming back, you can speak to your studio about options.
Getting Back to Base (Pace)
Despite having the above information in mind for returning to OTF, it’s important you prepare yourself not only physically, but also mentally.
Hopefully, you had the opportunity to stay active while in quarantine. Regardless, here are some things to consider.
Have a Goal – But Be Realistic
Whether you want to get right back to running 5-minute miles or rowing 2,000 meters in your best time, it’s likely going to be a big change going back to the studio.
Check out the table below as a reminder on where you were and where you might want to be for treadmill base pace:
Take a look as well for rowing:
Slow and Steady – Get Dividend Heavy
We all want to see results quickly. In finance, it usually takes time depending on your goals. Like dividend investing, working out is a process.
Don’t rush the process.
Related: Toothbrush Epiphany: 3 New Habits I’m Trying
Enjoy the Ride – Focus on the Basics
Consistency is key – keep up your routine. If you show up, you’re already winning.
Remember to not look for a change overnight. Instead, look for sustained progress.
Remind yourself to also be happy and grateful. Try not to compare yourself to others.
As always, have fun and enjoy the ride.
Looking Back and – More Importantly – Ahead
I’m very excited to get back at it. However, I’m also being mindful of the privilege I have to be able to work out in this type of environment.
I’ve done a few things to help others find that opportunity and balance, but we can all do so much more – for ourselves and others.
Stay healthy and safe – keep looking for those balanced dividends.
Readers, what have you been doing to try to be active? What are you pursuing at the moment?
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