Local fitness instructor Kelly Evans staying busy during the coronavirus pandemic

Kelly Evans is getting creative with what she uses as weights.

In recent weeks, she said things such as iron skillets, propane tanks, tool boxes and cinder blocks have been viable substitutions.

The personal trainer and fitness instructor, who lives in Costa Mesa, has her garage as her studio during the coronavirus pandemic. She does four Zoom classes a week — two for adults, two for children — and also posts exercise videos to a website she’s started. The videos are 30 minutes.

Evans, who turned 37 on Tuesday, is doing what she can to get by. She was furloughed from her job at the Newport-Mesa Family YMCA on March 16, a day before the gym closed.

Evans, who has been working at the YMCA for eight years, was working on small-group classes, as well as one-on-one training and a 12-week course that is an offshoot of the P90X program, before she was furloughed.

“I do feel like I get a specific type of demographic of person coming there,” she said. “They do seem to be interested in overall lifestyle changes and healthy habit formation, as opposed to just getting into their bikini for Cabo [San Lucas] or ready for spring break. I feel like I can help people really improve their quality of life, and just see their day-to-day energy and abilities with their kids change. It’s definitely very rewarding and motivating to keep coming back for, day after day.”

Evans is optimistic she will be able to return to the gym sooner rather than later, though it remains to be seen what restrictions will be in place. She said she was reinstated as an active employee last week, albeit on a limited basis. She takes a couple of hours per week to make training videos for the YMCA website.

Kelly Evans incorporates a 25-pound propane tank into her exercise routine in her makeshift home studio.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

“It feels nice to have active status again,” she said. “They’re doing their best to keep everyone in the area active and healthy.”

Gia Gaffaney of Corona del Mar is one client who has followed Evans from the brick-and-mortar building to the internet.

“I like her because her routines are never the same, and I get bored so easily,” Gaffaney said. “Hers is the only class that keeps me interested, because it’s always dynamic. Every time I go, I feel so strong.”

Evans said she has valued the time at home with her three children ages 10 to 13. Her husband Scott, who works for the Special Olympics, has managed to keep his job and has been supportive of Kelly, who has stayed positive.

She said she’s able to supplement her income because many of her clients are still paying her, though the videos posted on her website are free.

“It’s definitely far more rewarding getting to see their faces through Zoom,” Evans said. “Depending on the size of the group and which type of group you’re joining into, I stop and check everybody’s form. I’m able to make sure that they’re staying safe. It’s definitely been a good avenue to be able to continue to keep people motivated.”

One local teenager is also using Zoom to keep her friends active. Newport Beach resident Natasha Hill, a senior at Mater Dei High, started running Zoom classes for about 20-30 people while the were on spring break last week.

Hill, who has signed with Arizona State for women’s tennis, said the Tabata sessions have been high energy. She said she’s become closer with Mater Dei ASB President Kody Rymer, a Huntington Beach resident who has been a participant.

Hill created an Instagram account to chronicle her experiences, and videos are available on her Youtube page.

“I’ve been very active during this quarantine,” Hill said. “We’re bonding over sweat, and it’s been a lot of fun. I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from my friends, which is why I’ve expanded it so much and started my own Instagram. Obviously, I’m not famous or anything right now, but the plan is to continue doing this after quarantine.”

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