Jacobsen continues to share her love of fitness ─ via video

Lisa Jane Jacobsen hasn’t let social distancing stop her from working out with her colleagues at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Jacobsen, associate dean for medical curriculum and associate professor of obstetrics/gynecology, was leading weekly cardio aerobics sessions in the Jacob School atrium before the COVID-19 crisis.

Now, she’s made some videos to help her workout pals “stay strong and healthy while we all shelter at home!”

Jacobsen, who has 17 years of experience as a certified group fitness instructor, talked to UBNow about the importance of keeping fit, especially during these trying times.

Why did you make the videos?

I believe strongly in the value of exercise and want others to make it a priority in their own lives so that they can prevent illness, stay strong and even improve illnesses that they may currently have. During these difficult times of self-isolation, it has been very hard for people to find alternatives to their regular exercise regimens, whether that was simply walking a lot at work or going to the gym to do a challenging class. This was my way of trying to bring a simple way to get some exercise inside the home and was hoping people might try to do it on a regular schedule.

I have been teaching exercise classes here at the Jacobs School for the past few years and before that, I taught a regular class at a community center for 17 years. I became certified as a group fitness instructor in 2001 because I thought it would be fun to offer my own classes for others. I really enjoy the social aspect of working out with others and the feeling of community. It’s energizing to do workouts with others and we all keep each other motivated, especially during the crazy times when life seems too busy to devote time to working out.     

How many people usually participate in your on-site workouts?

The turnout has been variable at the in-person workouts. We have had as many as 10 and other times, just a few. Because of my schedule, I can only offer the class at 5:15 p.m. once a week and that time slot does not work in everyone’s schedule. A few months ago, we added a new muscle strengthening class with weights in addition to the cardio-aerobic dance workout and that class had a loyal following of three to four people who preferred that kind of exercise. The class is open to students, faculty, staff, researchers, clinicians and anyone else on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus who wants to participate. We have had people from all of those groups come.

Why is working out so important as we all go through this situation?

Regular exercise is so important for all of us, especially in times when our usual daily activities don’t require us to move around a lot. Many of us spend too much time during this forced self-isolation sitting around and walking very little. The gyms are closed. Our usual routines are turned upside down and it can feel daunting to try to structure in a new exercise routine and find a place in the house where it can be done. It’s really important though, for maintaining our health and keeping our muscles strong. We also need to find ways to expend energy, as many of us are much more sedentary during this isolation, we’re eating more than we usually do and we don’t want to gain too much weight.

It seems like, even with all these workout videos available, there’s an added bonus to working out with someone you actually know from your community. Can you discuss that?

There are a lot of workout videos out there now and that is great! But finding the right one may seem too difficult to some. I was hoping that those people who had expressed interest in our Jacobs School atrium workouts in the past and had put their names on our Google Doc ─ we have about 150 ─ would find this an easier way to bring exercise back into their life or keep up their usual routine  during this time.

Also, when someone you know is encouraging you to participate, that can be motivating, even if it is in a video. I think, in some ways, it does make one feel like they are actually in the room with someone you know when you recognize them and that can make it a lot more fun. I’ve had people tell me that it felt like I was right there in their living room with them! Maybe it makes some people feel less isolated, like they have a friend to work out with.

Jacobson has made videos of her Cardio-Dance aerobic workout and her Sets & Reps muscle strengthening workout.

Have a yoga mat ready for both and free weights for Sets & Reps.

For more videos, visit’s Jacobsen’s YouTube channel.

Folks from the Jacobs School or working elsewhere on the BNMC who would like to join a class in person when UB returns to campus, or receive future videos can add their name to this Google Doc.