The pandemic is changing how we work, and causing businesses to rethink the workplace. “Work gyms” such as Caveday sessions are becoming increasingly popular. Users join a group Zoom call, leave their cameras on and work alongside other members for a specified period of time. The concept is based on the theory of “social accountability”, with someone watching, you are under more pressure to focus and get the job done.

The sessions are designed to encourage concentration and productivity, while also providing structure and company. People also update their zoom displays with their names, locations, and the tasks they were there to accomplish.

Fans of virtual co-working often evoke productivity as a benefit, but the term is not universally accepted. Caveday’s Redleaf says, “We are not a productive companion, we aim to improve our relationships with work.”

Cal Newport, who contributed to the dissemination of practices such as deep work and intensive work blocks, wrote “A growing portion of my audience was clearly fed up with ‘productivity,’ and they are not alone.” Redleaf called productivity the “P-word” and compared Caveday to the Soul Cycle, which combines the elements of wellness and fitness. Ricky Yean, Chief Executive Officer of Flow Club, called his company “basically Peloton for coworking”. A recent email from the Flow Club pointed out that Benjamin Franklin was a pioneer in the time block before Cal Newport became popular and the Flow Club made it easy.

Like in a real office environment, users of these platforms will begin to recognize regulars, and some users may begin to build personal and professional relationships.

Anthony Ronda, 30, a software engineer in Hillsdale, NJ, has launched a virtual desktop gaming company, attends several Focusmate sessions a day, and blames others at work. We find value in bearing. He also experienced a more personal benefit: he met his boyfriend at Focusmate earlier this year. The two will meet for the first time later this month.

Ronda said they kept finding each other on the other side of the camera because they were logged on to the session at the same time. Soon, they started scheduling time to work together and exchanged phone numbers. “Obviously, it’s not a dating platform,” he said of Focusmate. “That’s exactly what happened.” He has no plans to return to the office anytime soon.

If this option does not suit you, or you are looking for another alternative, at Latamforce we work with experts worldwide, check on one another every day, and have weekly calls to make sure everything is running smoothly, living the real experience through a virtual team, creating personal and professional relationships.

Book a call for more information if you would like to join the team.