JACKSON, Ohio — With all local gyms closed because of the coronavirus outbreak and fitness equipment flying off the shelves, Jackson Ohio native Zachary Skidmore grabbed his chainsaw and went to work. 

• Jackson Ohio resident Zachary Skidmore recently created his own “Lumber Jacked Gym.” 
• His video has gone viral and has been viewed nearly a million times
• The former Army Police officer says he’s hoping to inspire others to use their creativity in this time of uncertainty

“Actually came outside here one day on my parents' back porch, and I decided that I would do a full body weight workout. But in doing so, I thought it would be kind of nice having a bench to work out on. Didn't have one, so I decided to make one out of a tree I had seen that had fallen down here,” said Skidmore. 

It took the 26-year-old former U.S. Army police officer two weeks to create his own personal Lumber Jack Gym, complete with seven stations, including a bench press, cable fly machine and homemade treadmill. 

His goal is to stay in shape until stay-at-home orders end and he's able to return to the gym.

“I think everyone should try and incorporate some type of health or fitness or wellness. It's not all about physique or look, it's about feeling good, it's about having something to wake up in the morning early to get yourself to do,” said Skidmore. 

After he finished, the part-time personal trainer made a video, hoping to pass it along to friends or inspire others to do the same. 

His story went viral, and the Oak Hill High School graduate's video has nearly a million views between multiple platforms, and over the course of the last few weeks he's been interviewed by TV and news organizations across the globe.

“I was kind of freaked out, I think. I really didn't know what to think because my phone was constantly blowing up, and I was kinda like, what's going on?, what is this?, why is it doing this?” said Skidmore.

And while Skidmore continues to remain at his parents' home in Jackson, he thinks it may be another month or so until he returns to work in asphalt construction. 

He says the attention has inspired him to build more and at the same time, help others out.

“I did not expect it to make a positive impact, but I can see how it does. Because in this kinda time, people are cooped up inside, they don't know what to do with their hands. And a lot of people like me and you, the gym closed, what am I going to do? So I think it's kind of just look, something good is coming out of this. If he can be creative, I can be creative,” said Skidmore.