Susan Coburn Hughs works out at PUSH Fitness in Salem, which has switched to online classes after gyms closed statewide. (Courtesy/ Cara Turnquist)
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At 9 a.m. Monday, Susan Coburn Hughs stood in her guest room with jugs of vinegar and 15-ounce cans of beans at her feet.
On her tablet, she opened Skype to join an online workout class through PUSH Fitness, a Salem gym that focuses on training women who are pregnant or post-partum.
Hughs, 74, isn’t in that category but “it was such a good program those of us that are post, post, post-partum joined.”
Five faces appeared on the screen and the women went through a warmup and strength workout with Cara Turnquist coaching virtually.
It’s the first of two workouts Hughs does on Mondays and Wednesdays – strength in the morning and cardio in the afternoon.
“The workout helps, it’s just a big sweaty hour and I always feel better afterwards,” Hughs said.
She does the workouts in what’s she dubbed her “Rube Goldberg gym,” inside her west Salem home she’s lived in since 1989.
Hughs’ “Rube Goldberg” gym. (Courtesy/ Susan Coburn Hughs)
California born and Montana raised, Hughs used to work as a public information officer for the U.S. Forest Service before becoming a policy analyst for the Oregon Department of Energy.
Hughs quarantined herself the day after her birthday on March 11.
“I’m 74 and I have diabetes so I’m not going anywhere,” she said.
On March 23, Gov. Kate Brown ordered all gyms to close statewide in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Hughs hasn’t seen anyone in weeks and the online classes provide her not only a physical outlet, but an emotional one.
On Sunday night, she decided she wouldn’t remain in a holding pattern waiting for orders to stay home to clear.
“I have to find a new use for my life. It’s not just finding a new rhythm. Iit’s finding a new purpose,” she said. “That was this big light bulb for me.”
She typed a note to each of her six neighbors in her cul-de-sac, put it in a Ziplock bag and left it on their front steps.
“Just know that I’m glad to share what I have if your family needs something to keep going – a nearly expired can of beans for dinner, a voice on the phone, a quick text, a tool loan, a wave and safe-distance chat as you walk by,” her note read.
Hughs said she’s trying to be a positive force.
“I just feel better today just acknowledging that I can’t just sit around and wait for this to be over,” she said.
When she began with her trainer, Hughs was working on increasing her mobility. Now, she’s graduated to lifting weights.
“Her goal was always to live as big of a life as possible. I’ve seen her be able to do more as she’s gotten stronger,” her trainer, Turnquist said.
She said Hughs will brag that when she goes to her physical therapist, they’re always impressed by what she can do.
Now the pair talk over Skype during class, Turnquist telling Hughs to focus on her range of motion and forget about jumping when she does burpees.
Susan Coburn Hughs uses Skype to participate in her gym’s workout classes being held online after gyms were ordered to close statewide because of COVID-19. (Courtesy/ Cara Turnquist)
Initially, the gym was posting workouts using Facebook Live, but decided to use Skype to allow feedback in real time.
“Checking in. How does this feel? How does that feel?” Turnquist said.
She said the gym is adapting week by week to do what’s best for its clients, many of whom have children at home as schools are closed statewide.
“The gym can definitely be the first thing to go when you’re worried about taking care of your kids,” Turnquist said. “We wanted to be able to offer as many options as possible to make it easy for people.”
Have a tip? Contact reporter Saphara Harrell at 503-549-6250, [email protected] or @daisysaphara.
