Latest News
Richmond Olympic Oval is addressing the need to exercise through online programming.
Photo by Jaana Björk
Ovalfit at Home resonating with virtual community
—
A daily online workout program is proving popular with Richmondites.
While the global coronavirus pandemic forced the closure of the Richmond Olympic Oval in March, fitness staff at the multi-sport complex have stepped up to continue classes virtually.
“We have such a strong community of members who frequent our group training classes, as well as members whose normal daily routine includes a workout at the oval,” explains Andrew Clark, manager of fitness and high performance training. “We wanted to continue to foster the oval community while supporting our members’ health and fitness journeys.”
The oval’s fitness team created a schedule of online classes that are taught from home by a few of its most popular instructors.
The program went live March 30 with two classes, attracting more than 6,000 views in the first week. As a result, the team realized the “tremendous opportunity” to keep Richmond residents active, while also doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19 by staying home, Clark says.
Since the launch, more classes have been added along with more instructors and formats. These are streamed live on the oval’s Facebook and Instagram channels at specific times.
It’s not necessary to be an oval member to participate in the online classes, which include body weight training, Zumba, Hatha yoga, recovery and regeneration, sweat circuit and many more. A new schedule is posted each week at richmondoval.ca/ovalfit-at-home/. A library of on-demand archived workouts is also being added at try.richmondoval.ca, which will be another resource for members and residents if a live workout doesn’t fit into an individual’s schedule.
“The oval’s membership and fitness community is really coming together during this unprecedented time to encourage each other to stay active,” Clark says. “The supportive comments posted during the classes, and received afterwards, demonstrate the strength of the community and the relationship amongst those who normally attend in person.”
On a separate, but related note, the oval’s high performance team has also been delivering online sessions, programming and mental performance seminars. Participating groups have so far included the oval’s short track speed skating program, PEAK basketball and Field Hockey Canada.
“The athletes and coaches have really been enjoying it,” Clark says. “We have also had great feedback from parents, expressing how beneficial it has been for their young athletes to have structure to their day, and sport-related commitments in their schedule.”
2 Hours of free financial consulting
Jai Xin Planning Ltd.
C$120.00 C$0.00
Use any of our home staging service and get a second month rental for free!
MiiX Interiors
C$500.00 C$0.00
Get 10% off any order
Phantom Screens Lower Mainland
C$200.00 C$180.00
