In a segment of FOX WDAF’s Great Day KC, hosts Palmer and Ethanee interview Reina Vokoun, founder of PassionFit, about navigating fitness during the Omicron surge. Vokoun emphasizes the importance of checking one’s mental, physical, and emotional needs before choosing between at‑home or in‑gym workouts. She outlines a range of digital tools—livestream and on‑demand classes, YouTube channels, mobile apps, and equipment such as Peloton, Tonal, and Mirror—that enable hybrid fitness. Safety protocols for in‑person sessions are discussed, referencing CDC guidelines, mask usage, and reduced class sizes. Vokoun explains how regular exercise supports immune function, reduces stress, improves sleep, and boosts mood, making activity crucial during the pandemic. The interview concludes with a live demonstration of four no‑equipment exercises (power squat, power lunge, side lunge, knee lift) that can be performed anywhere. Throughout, the tone remains conversational and supportive, encouraging viewers to adopt a balanced, safe, and enjoyable fitness routine.
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It's a hybrid fitness routine you don't want to miss. Coming up, learn a few exercises to get you moving during the day. Putting in the work to stay fit may be questionable as some people are rethinking the gym once again because of Omicron.
Oh yes, but there are ways that you can still get your daily exercise even if you choose to stay away from the gym. Joining us now to help us get moving on this great Monday is Reena Vokoun of PassionFit. Reena, welcome, hello.
Thank you, Ethanee, thank you, Palmer. So great to have, to be here and to have you have me.
We're excited to have you. Now, there's so many more options now for staying fit and staying safe. How do we find the right ones?
Yeah, you know, I think it's important to check in with yourself mentally, physically, emotionally. What do you need right now? Some people are really wanting this safety of an at-home workout. They don't feel comfortable going to the gym. Therefore, there's lots of great technologies out there you can use. There's livestream classes, there's on-demand classes, there's YouTube channels, at-home workout technologies, and so much more, mobile apps, just to name a few. If you're feeling like you need that in-person camaraderie and you do want to step into the gym, then think about what are the CDC guidelines, what are the safety protocols, and, you know, do you need to be in person to really get that motivation that you need? And then act accordingly.
Yeah, that makes perfect sense. So with concerns about Omicron, how do you balance in-person workouts with virtual or at-home workouts right now?
Yeah, you know, I think you need to find that balance for yourself. For some people, maybe they just don't want to go to the gym at all right now. Maybe they want to wait out Omicron over the next several weeks and just work out at home. So if that's the case, try to find the least barrier of entry for yourself. So if technology is daunting to you in any way, try to find the most easy-to-use apps out there. Use a YouTube channel, join a livestream class if that makes sense for you. Also look for communities that are, you know, going to fit your personality, that are going to fit your goals, and just make you feel like, okay, I have some accountability for myself and others, and I'm going to be able to stick with my workout regimen.
And speaking of accountability and communities, what technology tools and communities are available online for people who want to do more with their home workouts?
Yeah, you know, there's some great, you know, at-home technologies and equipment like Peloton, like Tonal, like Mirror. My company, PassionFit, has a YouTube channel of workout videos. I teach livestream classes as well and on-demand, which a lot of other fitness professionals out there offer. So I would do some Google searches. I would maybe talk to those in your local community that are working out at home or even go to your gym that you were maybe previously going to and find out what livestream or on-demand classes they have available because a lot of studios that are closed closed or maybe only operating at partial capacity are offering livestream because hybrid is what we're at right now and it's here to stay. I don't think hybrid fitness is going away anytime soon.
Neither do I.
So whether we're going into the gym or we're at home, you know, maybe using one of probably your YouTube channel, right?
Yeah.
I mean, let's be real. That's what we should all be doing. Are there any tips that you have for working out safely, whether that's at home or at the gym?
Yeah, I think you want to really pay attention to what your needs are. If you're trying to enhance your immune system, which I know a lot of us are, if you're looking for cardio work, flexibility work, strength training, try to find safe apps and channels at home. If you are taking classes in person at a gym or studio, make sure that the class sizes are smaller so that people can be 6 feet apart. Again, look at what the safety protocols are. If you feel comfortable wearing a mask, I know certain states mandate it, others don't, so just pay attention to what it is there. And kind of decide what's gonna work for you and what's gonna make you feel safe. Because if you feel anxious about it, then that's gonna kind of derail your whole workout plan. So make sure you're picking an option that you feel comfortable with.
Now, for those who are just starting to work out, I know that it can be hard to stay on track and with all your goals. Why is it so important to stay active right now, whether you've been going to a gym and you had to stop, or if you're just getting in the routine, why is it so important?
It's critical. I mean, I think right now we're all facing challenges, right, with what's happening in the world with Omicron and other things. And so we need to protect not only our physical health, but our mental health as well. And exercise really helps in both areas. When you're physically healthy, you're doing things that are immuno-enhancing, you're reducing inflammation from your body. That's going to keep you stronger to hopefully avoid getting Omicron, or even if you do, hopefully you can bounce back quickly. And then mentally, exercise reduces stress and cortisol in the body. It releases endorphins to elevate your mood. And when you're psychologically feeling better, that also has an impact on your immune system and your health. And exercise just helps you sleep better. And I think we could all use a good night's sleep without worry. And exercise can help you do that.
All right. So before we let you go, show us a couple of exercises that we, that we can be doing, that we can be utilizing.
Yes, let's do it. So I'm going to take a spot on my mat and these are exercises you can do at home, at the gym, or while traveling. There's no equipment required. These are cardio, flexibility, and strength training exercises. So the first one is a power squat. So you're going to stand with your feet about shoulder width apart, you're going to tuck in your core, you're going to come down into a squat, and you can either jump off the floor if you are a cardio enthusiast and want that extra burst, or you can come up onto the balls of your feet if you want to make it a little bit more low intensity. Another option is a power lunge. So you can either lunge back and jump from one leg to the other Or if you want to, again, make it low intensity, just skip the jump and simply step back into a lunge.
See, these are all moves that I just do these at home for fun.
I'm watching the Chiefs game like, "Let's go, let's go." Exactly, you can do it right in front of the TV. Absolutely.
Perfect. All right, well, we'll keep it going.
It's just a side lunge and then a knee lift so that you're working your lower body and your core stability at the same time. You guys look great. I'm so proud of you for trying these exercises along with me. Thank you.
Yes, and look, no excuses, Reena, because you saw I had my high heels on today. I wore them just for these workouts.
I'm thoroughly impressed.
I'm thoroughly impressed.
Thank you, thank you, yes. So thank you, Reena, for all these great tips, and you have a wonderful week.
Thank you, you as well. Take care, stay healthy and safe out there.
Thank you, you as well. So to learn more about workouts you can do from home, visit PassionFit at passionfit.com for details.
