Orangetheory, CycleBar and Free Spirit offering workouts under new state guidelines

Following more than two months of state-mandated closures due to a late-autumn spike in the spread of COVID-19, three Old Mill District fitness centers have come back to life this month with limited-capacity indoor classes.

Free Spirit Yoga + Fitness + Play and Orangetheory Fitness welcomed members and patrons back in their doors Monday, Feb. 1, soon after new guidelines took effect. CycleBar reopened Monday, Feb. 8.

“The sacrifices these businesses made and continue to make to help slow the spread of COVID in our community can’t be overstated,” said Beau Eastes, marketing director at the Old Mill District. “They closed their doors during what’s typically their busiest time of the year — the New Year’s resolution season — and they deserve our support as they come back online.”

Here’s how gyms and fitness centers in the Old Mill District are altering workouts, services and procedures to remain compliant with State of Oregon indoor activity guidelines:

Free Spirit Yoga + Fitness + Play

Along with continuing to offer on-demand and live stream fitness and yoga classes from their website, Free Spirit’s Ninja Warrior Gym is now open for kids, said owner Seth Augustine. They’re simply limiting session participation with staff-only supervision — no other adults or parents.

“We’re happy to finally reopen,” said Augustine, who co-owns the gym with his wife, Rachel. “Even being open to a minor extent makes a big difference for us. We’re just trying to do everything in the spirit of the guidelines, doing so as cautiously and as conservatively as possible.”

Besides limiting gym capacity, Augustine said play sessions are being scheduled further apart to allow time for safe transition and cleaning. And, of course, temperature checks and facemasks are required for everyone.

Augustine said that as spring approaches and restrictions continue to loosen, Free Spirit will begin transitioning fitness and yoga classes from online to in-person, outdoor sessions.

For additional information and updates, visit freespiritbend.com.

CycleBar

According to owner/operator Stefanie Nelson, CycleBar Bend members can expect smaller indoor classes, additional space between all bikes, and the implementation of “one-touch workouts.”

“A one-touch workout means that all riders will be coming into the front door and going directly to their bikes,” she said. “Their bikes will be the only things they touch in the studio.”

Nelson said all cyclists will be required to wear masks as opposed to face shields while they ride.

CycleBar is an indoor cycling studio that strives to unite riders of all ages and fitness levels by creating unparalleled cycling experiences. Visit cyclebar.com/location/bend for more information and updates.

Orangetheory Fitness

Orangetheory Fitness, which held indoor-outdoor classes for two weeks before Deschutes County was downgraded to “high” risk this week, will be returning to an all-indoor model on Friday, Feb. 12, with smaller class sizes.

“We’re simply just spreading out the class,” Orangtheory Fitness Bend owner Tim Barrans said. “The structure and technology of each class is consistent with what members have come to expect. We’re not changing our model. We’re just implementing it in a more creative manner.”

According to Barrans, his goal remains to offer a consistent workout model, whether streaming online or in a limited capacity at the gym. And, members have been receptive and accommodating to all the changes thus far.

Orangetheory is a high-intensity training gym that blends interval training and cardiovascular and strength workouts. Visit orangetheory.com for updates and information.