Elevate Cullman owner Rachel Eidson says, she “never wanted to be a youtube star, so I’m so far outside my comfort zone,” now that her fitness classes have moved from the 1st Avenue studio to the internet.

Typically, instructors lead small groups of women, usually 10-15 at a time, through pilate and barre exercises and help them with proper form.

“It’s all body weight stuff, we don’t use weights or machines,” she said. “In some ways we had the advantage that our classes don’t use a lot of equipment. You can get a good workout using just your body weight.”

In these days of social distancing, group classes and hands-on correcting is not an option. Instead instructors are leading classes from the studio, while using the Zoom app to reach participants in their homes.

“That’s one thing, we have unlimited space now,” said Eidson.

Elevate began doing online classes as an option for some members who were concerned about the virus early on. Since then, all classes have gone online.

“We have been exclusively Zoom for a week,” said Eidson. “While we have shifted to Zoom, we have not slowed down.”

All the instructors are teaching their usual classes and following the schedule familiar to clients. She’s even had a new person sign up for classes.

Clients were already accustomed to using an app to sign up for classes, and they continue to use that, then they receive an invitation to join the Zoom session.

“The cool thing about Zoom is the conversational aspect of it,” she said. “We have people hanging out before class, talking, and especially after, when they’ve got the benefit of the endorphins from working out.”

The instructors have had to get a little creative, she said, in substituting household items, like chairs and sofas, for the barre.

Another adaptation is an event to bring men into the class. She said on Wednesday they have a class that husbands and significant others are invited to join. “They’re going to participate in the class from the comfort of their own living room,” said Eidson.

“I have been overwhelmed with people understanding the situation,” she said.

“Overall it’s been great, but it’s still not perfect.”