GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — For Jamie Centilli, her barre and spin studio The Dailey Method is like a second home, she said. She opened it three years ago in the Eastown neighborhood and it’s been packed since then.
However, when the pandemic hit back in March, Centilli abided by state orders and made adjustments.
“It’s definitely been a struggle. From the beginning with the shutdown, we immediately tried to pivot to keep the business going,” Centilli said during an interview with Fox 17 on Thursday. “So, again with the second [order], we brainstormed right away and pivoted again to keep our clients moving because especially as we enter the winter months, it’s important to keep your body moving.”
Centilli said exercise is also important for one’s mental and emotional health. So when the state announced a second temporary order, or three-week pause, that began before Thanksgiving, she and her team brainstormed about how to encourage their clients to continue moving while stuck at home.
“Now with the current order, we have opened the studio to where people can use their headphones. We record a class ahead of time that they can watch, and the bikes are set up 12 feet apart,” Centilli said. “So, it’s more like a traditional gym setting, although we’re much smaller. Between the two rooms, we can only have seven people.”
Centilli said her clients and staff have been great at adjusting to the changes. However, it’s been a roller coaster emotionally, especially when the major fitness chains have remained opened.
The current temporary restrictions are expected to end next week. Centilli said she’ll be keeping a close eye on what the state says. In the meantime, they’ll continue to abide the current order to help slow the spread of the virus.
“I want this place to survive COVID,” Centilli said. “I say that all the time. So, that keeps me going.”