Many local businesses have been forced to get creative during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to keep their doors open.
A local fitness studio and premier concert hall in Bozeman partnered up to help get each other through the difficult economic times.
“When you walk in and you get on your bike, you just feel like you’re in the middle of a world-class concert venue, and that’s what it is,” said Carolyn Williams, owner and instructor at Zephyr Cycling Studio in Bozeman.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been extra challenging for gyms and workout studios around the world. Zephyr Cycling Studio in Bozeman says they’ve been rolling with the punches.
“We have tried just about everything at this point,” said Williams.
After shutting down for a period of time, Zephyr re-opened in June and started offering classes outdoors in their parking lot.
The cold weather and increasing number of cases in the county meant Zephyr had to find another space, a large enough space to ensure lots of social distancing opportunities.
This prompted Williams to reach out to the general manager of the Rialto concert hall, another business greatly affected by the pandemic.
“He and I got to talking and realized it might be a good opportunity for both of us in order for our businesses to collaborate and support one another, so we moved in a week ago and we have
been really excited about how things have been going,” said Williams.
While the 8 months have been a big challenge for the businesses, offering classes at the Rialto has been a unique experience for everyone.
“The Rialto is just this beautiful, iconic venue. So it’s really special to be able to be here with the acoustics, with the lights, with the people.”
Williams says Zephyr Cycling Studio follows strict cleaning, social distancing, and mask protocols, but understands those in the community choosing to avoid working out inside indoor facilities at this time.
