Gyms and health clubs are closed. Running, cycling and other outdoor activities are on hold.
A significant part of the world is on lockdown with billions of individuals confined to their homes. Our fitness goals have taken a back seat as the primary objective now is survival and putting an end to this global pandemic.
Sure, we miss the outdoors, the vibrant energy of the gym, and working out and doing classes with friends. With more time on our hands, it’s time to explore fitness options while staying home. Here are things we can do while on lockdown to maintain our physical and mental well-being.
- Online exercise classes—There an abundance of free online exercise classes. Some fitness centers and gyms (such as Segovia Strength and Conditioning) do this by going live on Facebook and guiding anyone with an Internet connection in performing stretching and bodyweight exercises. There are free Yoga, Pilates and other classes to choose from online.
- Basic bodyweight exercises—Push-ups, jumping jacks, squats, crunches, air squats are simple exercises you can do at home. Adjust the volume and intensity to suit your current fitness level.
- Use household items as weights—Bodyweight exercises are too easy but you lack weights. Use everyday household items for resistance. Grab a duffel bag or small suitcase, stuff some items and use it for doing leg squats or deadlifts. Do push-ups with a backpack on. Use a bottle of wine or filled water jug for bicep curls and shoulder presses. Now is the time to be creative.
- Learn to prepare healthier meal options—Undoubtedly, canned processed foods are the easiest, most convenient meal option. But should we be lucky to have access to whole food sources, it would be a great idea to learn how to prepare simple, healthy dishes to help manage the potential damage of binge eating during lockdown.
- Do a digital detox—Too much exposure to news and information that upsets you and causes needless worrying is not a pleasant experience. Shy away from the newsfeed and forwarded messages on your gadget and instead listen to music that relaxes you and puts you at ease. Pick tunes that bring back good, happy memories. Or meditate, do deep breathing exercises, pray, envision the things you plan to do once this is all over. Anything that takes your mind away from negativity and anxiety.
We’re almost there. Let’s all hang tough and see this crisis through.