Ben Tschann, Goodwin Procter, San Francisco

Tschann is a partner in the firm's real estate and hospitality leisure practice groups and focuses his practice on all real estate assets with an operating business.

How often during the week do you work out? 5-6 days.

At what time during the day or evening do you work out? Morning (before work).

Benjamin Tschann.

What's your go-to routine? I am a big fan of bootcamp-style workouts—I usually rotate between TRX/HIIT classes, Orange Theory and F45 (especially their 60-minute Saturday workouts). I usually mix in a fun bike ride or hike on Sundays with my family that usually ends with lunch at one of our favorite local restaurants in our home town of Lafayette, California.

How long does it take? 60 minutes.

Why do you like this routine? My morning workout completely energizes me for the day. I love pushing myself and competing with myself. I really enjoy the team-training environment of bootcamps and F45-style classes where the other class members push and motivate me to work harder. I also thrive on the variety—one day its jumping rope, push-ups and squats, and the next day its burpees, medicine ball slams and battle ropes—and I like the unique training tools and toys used in these types of classes.

What does regular exercise do for you? It is not only a source of energy but also keeps me focused and fresh. Plus, it has been a good competitive outlet given that I am no longer playing any team sports (I had previously played adult recreational baseball and basketball after law school), even if I am just competing with myself.

How long have you been exercising regularly? I have been a "gym-rat" since undergrad and law school, but in the past few years, it's become a bigger part of my routine and life. Both of my parents are very active fitness enthusiasts (my dad even competed as a powerlifter when I was a teen, my mom in retirement works as a trainer, and they often brought my siblings and me to the gym as young kids). The quality of classes and instruction in the past few years has greatly improved and made me even more committed to well-organized and creative group exercise. I also love playing sports with my kids (daughter 11, son 8) and helping coach youth sports (basketball, baseball and flag football).

Benjamin Tschann working out at home.

In what ways have you changed your routine during the COVID-19 crisis? Well, my regular gym, plus studios like F45 and Orange Theory, have been closed since early March. The "home workouts" have been a combination of self-created interval training programs, TRX, long runs (I did the longest run of my life in May at 16 miles), virtual HIIT and boot camp classes available on YouTube or other apps. More recently, I have done some great live classes via Zoom or Instagram. F45 has done a good job with these—for about two weeks I was working out on a daily basis with live Zoom classes from the F45 studio in Charleston, South Carolina, before they reopened (much to my disappointment, as gyms remain closed here). At some point, I'll have to go to Charleston to meet their great trainers and coaches.

As part of Goodwin's fitness industry task force looking at legal issues related to the reopening of gyms and investment and restructuring opportunities in the fitness world, I am combining two of my biggest passions and interests (real estate/investing and fitness). COVID-19 is going to have a major impact on the fitness industry, and while the timing and circumstances are unfortunate, I am fortunate I can expand my legal practice into this area.

How do you get convince yourself to work out when you don't want to? I know my day will not be nearly as good as those days when I tackle a great work out and push myself. My family (my wife especially) knows that I am far happier and more productive on the days I work out. The hardest days are when I don't get enough sleep, and if there is one thing I benefited from during shelter-in-place, it is better sleep.