How This Sussex Gym Made It Through Lockdown And The ‘Red Phase’
SUSSEX – With many communities moving in and out of the various phases of recovery, a gym in Sussex that is now going back to the “orange” phase from the “red” one has found a way to stay in business — thanks to all they learned about adapting last year.
In March 2020, the Covid-19 lockdown caused gyms like Go Train Fitness in Sussex to close their doors. But that didn’t stop owner Lisa MacInnis from finding a way to continue classes.
Less than 24 hours after they were told to shut down, they started to adapt to their new circumstances by offering online classes.
“I taught my first online class that next morning at 5:45,” said MacInnis.
“We’re going to do our best to bring something to you guys that will keep you occupied for the next couple of months,” she recalled thinking at the time.
With her team of instructors, MacInnis began organizing a game plan. Knowing that most of her members didn’t have equipment at home, she began to lend out her own— trusting that the community would keep it safe until doors opened again.
“I pretty much emptied out the studio,” said MacInnis.
Initially, the gym halted all payments and offered their online services without charge. However, because of their history with the gym, most members wanted to keep supporting Go Train Fitness.
Part of their support was attending virtual classes. In the first weeks of quarantine, MacInnis found the participation rate encouraging, considering the additional challenges of working out at home.
“They supported us,” said MacInnis. “We weren’t giving them exactly what they paid for, but they were willing to support us anyway.”
When restrictions loosened in the summer, virtual classes continued despite the reintroduction of in-person workouts. While classes were taking place at the studio, they were also being recorded and posted online.
“People who weren’t quite ready to come back still had an option available,” said MacInnis.
Some members even preferred online classes, saying they worked better with busy schedules.
“It kind of was a beautiful thing.”
A cooperative mindset has helped both the business and its members through the pandemic. However, community support is nothing new for Go Train Fitness. Pre-Covid, MacInnis was already prioritizing the social element of going to the gym.
“It is a family,” she said.
Since taking over the business in 2014, MacInnis has used her passion for fitness to form a community of friends. In addition to traditional exercise classes, MacInnis has planned painting and jewelry-making events, often partnering with other businesses in town.
“I have always tried to offer more things outside of just regular fitness,” she said.
In a small town like Sussex, many of the members are business owners themselves. MacInnis carries some merchandise from the local shops in her gym.
“Our members are very loyal,” said MacInnis. “They appreciate everything our instructors do.”
The recent shift into the “red zone” of the provincial recovery plan has been relatively smooth for the studio. During that time, MacInnis and her team have been busy recording classes and are once again lending out equipment. The latest schedule includes barre, yoga, and HIIT workouts by a variety of instructors. On Tuesday at midnight, health Zone 2, which includes Sussex, will move back to Orange, meaning gyms could operate again.
“Like any business, [the red zone] changed the way that we will continue,” she said.
MacInnis is aware that the fitness industry is heavily influenced by trends, but she has confidence in her business model.
“I believe there is always going to be a place for my niche in group fitness,” she said.
Go Train Fitness plans to continue online classes post-Covid; their goal is to give members the options that work best for them. Even so, MacInnis’s passion still lies in in-person classes.
“For most people, it’s not just the fitness — it’s the social part,” she said. “You can’t get that at home.”