Falk Center Team Creates a Safe Fitness Environment for All
One of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic was the closing of fitness centers for in-person visits. The staff at Einstein’s Falk Recreation Center meet the challenge with aplomb, offering virtual classes and resources until it was once again safe to host members of the Einstein community indoors.
![The Falk Center staff sought to offer all forms of recreation and fitness options while maintaining highest safety standards]()
The Falk Center staff sought to offer all forms of recreation and fitness options while maintaining highest safety standards
As gyms began to reopen in early September 2020, the staff at Falk strategically transformed the indoor environment to accommodate appropriate physical distancing, while also providing adequate ventilation and regular sanitation. The staff thoroughly followed a list of precautionary measures that included reducing the center’s indoor capacity for member usage to below 20% (which was lower than the state standard of 33%), increasing cleaning of locker rooms and high touch surfaces, and maximizing use of the gym space to spread out equipment.
“We’ve been able to handle the capacity guidelines well,” noted Andrew Adham, manager of the Falk Center. “On a busy day we can get as many as 200 people coming through the doors, which is manageable, without the need for people to wait up front to enter.”
It has helped that the facility’s schedule offers times in the day when patrons can avoid the crowds. “If you’re looking for an emptier gym, the best times to fit in a workout are between 9 and10 a.m. or from 2 to 3 p.m.,” advised Jake Kuhl, one of the center’s assistant managers.
Lindsay Pattison, a second-year medical student who goes to the gym four to five days a week, initially had reservations about returning to the gym. She was quickly reassured, though, when she saw the adjustments that the staff made. “I was impressed with how they used the basketball court to provide extra room for using the equipment,” she said. As a frequent user of the strength training and cardio machines, her confidence in the gym’s safety rose even more when she observed the staff’s frequent cleaning schedule. “People are walking around cleaning the machines all the time, which I’ve really appreciated.”
Kenneth Wang, a senior budget analyst in the Einstein financial department who likes to go to the gym every day he is in the office, also felt he was working out in a safe environment because of the Falk staff’s efforts. “The team has done a great job, and they’ve been willing to make changes to accommodate people’s concerns,” he noted.
Stepping Up Their Game
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff has sought to offer members of the Einstein community ways to stay active and healthy. At the outset of the pandemic, when gyms in New York could not be open, the staff allowed patrons to rent equipment so they could exercise outdoors. Both Lindsay and Kenneth took advantage of the rentals, appreciating that it provided them a way to maintain a regular routine during a time of change and uncertainty.
The staff also took their group fitness classes online, hosting Zoom sessions that featured favorite instructors leading Pilates, Zumba, barre, and yoga classes. They recorded each class and added them to Einstein’s COVID-19 site where anyone at Einstein could access the sessions. They also created at-home workout sheets with exercises that individuals could use in any location, accessible on the COVID-19 site.
Looking to the Future
Always seeking to improve their services, the Falk staff continues to navigate the evolving regulations for gyms throughout the city and state. They’ve also found that some changes may be worth keeping post-pandemic. When safer spacing was required for those wishing to use the pool, Christopher LaColla, assistant manager overseeing aquatics, introduced a new scheduling system for booking the pool’s lanes.
To prevent patrons from crowding or sharing lanes, Chris reduced the available lanes from five to three. He also required booking a lane for a pre-set measure of time. Lindsay, who swims daily, appreciates this new change. “I know that I have the time and the lane, and I can schedule my day around it.”
Looking ahead, the Falk crew will bring back in-person classes on Monday August 2. For now, though, they are offering outdoor group fitness sessions. And they’ve updated their hours, adding pool hours on Friday, extending gym hours Monday through Thursday, and having gym hours on Sunday. Be sure to check the center’s intranet site for full details!
In April, they welcomed Kymberly Nolden as assistant manager for fitness. Kymberly is taking the lead on all fitness programming, including group fitness and personal training. Last month, the center introduced two new options for members:
- FalkFits, a free 30-minute training assessment/session with a certified personal trainer to address one’s goals, limitations, or form while having an opportunity to see what it’s like to work with a trainer; and
- Small-Group Training, featuring workouts with two to five participants, either once or twice a week, at a reduced rate from working individually with a trainer.
Anyone interested in joining group fitness or personal training programs at Falk should reach out to Kymberly at Kymberly.Nolden@einsteinmed.org.
While there no doubt will be new changes, and possibly challenges, ahead, the staff is ready to adapt to make the best possible accommodations for gym members and the Einstein community. “They’ve done so much this past year to make sure things feel comfortable and safe while making sure we have access to the gym,” said Kenneth. “It’s really been great.
Posted on: Tuesday, July 27, 2021