Staying Fit While Staying Put
Apr 17, 2020
Who knew how much our lives and routines could change in just a few short weeks? Most of us are now staying home—from work, from school, from our favorite restaurants and hangouts—because we know it’s the best thing we can do to keep our communities as healthy as possible.
We’re all adjusting our routines to responsibly social distance—and in the process we’re choosing how to manage our time to remain healthy and positive. We may be juggling work and kids or we may be catching up on our favorite television series, blowing through the books that had been piling up on our nightstand, re-organizing every closet, and comfort baking to ease our nerves.
And unless we want to emerge on the other side of this time with some extra pounds, we’re also adding exercise into our daily routine. Studies have shown that regular exercise is essential for supporting healthy immune function. It can also lower stress, improve mood, and increase energy during a time that could otherwise feel a bit exhausting.
Ready to get moving? Read on for some fresh ideas for staying fit, flexible, and strong while staying close to home.
Take a virtual fitness class. Missing your classes at the gym? While it’s not quite the same as having your favorite instructor leading the way with your workout buddies by your side, there are plenty of online fitness programs that can give you a great workout right in your own living room. And many of them are currently offering free classes! Check out Peloton’s live and on-demand classes, offering everything from spin and strength to core and running workouts. Barry’s Bootcamp is posting high-energy, motivating workouts on their Instagram page each day—with no equipment required. Exercise newbies and fitness fanatics alike can make good use of the Nike Training Club app, with free 15-, 30-, and 45-minute workouts designed by Nike trainers. Love to move and groove? Check out the free dance classes offered by 305 Fitness. Or, ease stress and anxiety while increasing flexibility with a gentle yoga or meditation class through EkhartYoga.
No equipment? No problem. Strength training is an important part of any exercise program—but if you’re used to using weights and machines at the gym, you may feel a little stuck. The great news is that you already have something in your home that’s ideal for strength training: your own body weight. Dedicate some time each day to focus on the basics, like squats, lunges, push ups, tricep dips, planks, and burpees. Choose exercises that target different areas of your body, and you can complete an effective strength workout in 20 minutes or less.
Hit the trails. Even in areas with shelter-in-place laws, people are generally still allowed to leave their homes to get exercise and some much-needed fresh air as long as they maintain social distancing. In addition to being a mood booster, stepping outside in the sunshine can increase your levels of Vitamin D, which is necessary for the proper functioning of your immune system. This is a great time to explore your local trail systems or the multi-use paths in your community that can be traversed on foot or bike. Even a walk around the block can give you a needed break. Just be sure to stay six feet away from fellow walkers and bikers on sidewalks and trails.
Walk your dog. We may not be big fans of stay at home orders—but our dogs are definitely loving all of this extra quality time with their owners! So when you’re feeling restless and need to get some energy out, step outside with your furry friend and take a stroll down your street. Pick up the speed, pump your arms, and make it a “power walk” to get your heart rate up and improve your endurance. A neighborhood walk with your four-legged family member is also a great opportunity to wave and say hello to your neighbors—from a distance, of course.
Have a virtual check-in with your personal trainers. Even if your gym is closed, there’s a good chance that they’re offering some online support until they can open their doors again. Check your gym’s website or Facebook page to see if they’re offering online yoga, strength, or cardio classes for their at-home members. The Wellness Team at one of Shea’s Trilogy Resort Communities for example, is doing all that they can to keep homeowners feeling well while their Fitness Center is closed. They’re hosting a Wellness Web Series with virtual tips that cover everything from stretching and warm up routines, to cardio and strength workouts, to skin and nutrition tips. Check it out here and feel free to use this video series to guide a new at-home work out!
We all hope to be back to our group fitness classes, personal training sessions, or team sports as soon as possible. But in the meantime we can adjust our routines and commit to taking the best possible care of ourselves—by staying fit while staying put.
We’re all adjusting our routines to responsibly social distance—and in the process we’re choosing how to manage our time to remain healthy and positive. We may be juggling work and kids or we may be catching up on our favorite television series, blowing through the books that had been piling up on our nightstand, re-organizing every closet, and comfort baking to ease our nerves.
And unless we want to emerge on the other side of this time with some extra pounds, we’re also adding exercise into our daily routine. Studies have shown that regular exercise is essential for supporting healthy immune function. It can also lower stress, improve mood, and increase energy during a time that could otherwise feel a bit exhausting.
Ready to get moving? Read on for some fresh ideas for staying fit, flexible, and strong while staying close to home.
Take a virtual fitness class. Missing your classes at the gym? While it’s not quite the same as having your favorite instructor leading the way with your workout buddies by your side, there are plenty of online fitness programs that can give you a great workout right in your own living room. And many of them are currently offering free classes! Check out Peloton’s live and on-demand classes, offering everything from spin and strength to core and running workouts. Barry’s Bootcamp is posting high-energy, motivating workouts on their Instagram page each day—with no equipment required. Exercise newbies and fitness fanatics alike can make good use of the Nike Training Club app, with free 15-, 30-, and 45-minute workouts designed by Nike trainers. Love to move and groove? Check out the free dance classes offered by 305 Fitness. Or, ease stress and anxiety while increasing flexibility with a gentle yoga or meditation class through EkhartYoga.
No equipment? No problem. Strength training is an important part of any exercise program—but if you’re used to using weights and machines at the gym, you may feel a little stuck. The great news is that you already have something in your home that’s ideal for strength training: your own body weight. Dedicate some time each day to focus on the basics, like squats, lunges, push ups, tricep dips, planks, and burpees. Choose exercises that target different areas of your body, and you can complete an effective strength workout in 20 minutes or less.
Hit the trails. Even in areas with shelter-in-place laws, people are generally still allowed to leave their homes to get exercise and some much-needed fresh air as long as they maintain social distancing. In addition to being a mood booster, stepping outside in the sunshine can increase your levels of Vitamin D, which is necessary for the proper functioning of your immune system. This is a great time to explore your local trail systems or the multi-use paths in your community that can be traversed on foot or bike. Even a walk around the block can give you a needed break. Just be sure to stay six feet away from fellow walkers and bikers on sidewalks and trails.
Walk your dog. We may not be big fans of stay at home orders—but our dogs are definitely loving all of this extra quality time with their owners! So when you’re feeling restless and need to get some energy out, step outside with your furry friend and take a stroll down your street. Pick up the speed, pump your arms, and make it a “power walk” to get your heart rate up and improve your endurance. A neighborhood walk with your four-legged family member is also a great opportunity to wave and say hello to your neighbors—from a distance, of course.
Have a virtual check-in with your personal trainers. Even if your gym is closed, there’s a good chance that they’re offering some online support until they can open their doors again. Check your gym’s website or Facebook page to see if they’re offering online yoga, strength, or cardio classes for their at-home members. The Wellness Team at one of Shea’s Trilogy Resort Communities for example, is doing all that they can to keep homeowners feeling well while their Fitness Center is closed. They’re hosting a Wellness Web Series with virtual tips that cover everything from stretching and warm up routines, to cardio and strength workouts, to skin and nutrition tips. Check it out here and feel free to use this video series to guide a new at-home work out!
We all hope to be back to our group fitness classes, personal training sessions, or team sports as soon as possible. But in the meantime we can adjust our routines and commit to taking the best possible care of ourselves—by staying fit while staying put.
