Whether you’re a regular gym-goer or someone who prefers long, leisurely strolls around the block, you can’t deny that COVID has limited our exercise options.
As a range of exercise-friendly spaces close down in an effort to prevent infections, many of us have found ourselves confined to the same four walls we have been living, eating, and working in for the past two years.
The good news is that, while COVID-19 restrictions may make life more difficult in many ways, they don’t have to mean the end of your fitness goals. Here are five easy ways to keep fit during COVID.
Stand up as much as possible
If you sit at a desk (or worse – on a couch at home) to do your job, then you’re probably already aware of the impact it can have on your health.
It’s common knowledge that sitting down all day is bad for us.
The good news is, you don’t have to let a desk job force you into a sedentary lifestyle.
Once you’re settled in your home office space, consider investing in additions like a standing desk, a yoga mat, or an exercise ball – anything that will encourage you to move more during the day.
As an aside, if you’re already experiencing aches and pains as a result of sitting down too much, now is a great time to invest in physical therapy or remedial massage and get your health back on track.
Embrace open spaces
The world of enclosed gyms and workout spaces has suffered greatly during the pandemic, forcing workout buffs into the open.
That may have seemed like an inconvenience at first, but in many ways, it’s a great thing, because out in the open, there are far fewer spatial limitations to adhere to.
You might like to go to the park with your family or take your dog to a dog-friendly beach for a game of fetch.
This way, you’ll get the benefit of moving around outdoors and making lasting memories.
Invest in at-home exercise gear
Trying to exercise at home without a dedicated space is like trying to do your day job in your bed.
It just doesn’t create enough distinction between other activities and your precious exercise time.
If you’re keen to optimise your exercise routine, at-home fitness gear can help you switch up your mindset and keep your workouts interesting. Who knew a static exercise bike and rowing machine could work so hard?
Watch guided workout videos
One of the biggest challenges most people face when it comes to exercising is not knowing what to do or how to do it effectively – and guided workout videos solve that problem perfectly.
Once you have seen a trainer go through the moves and explain exactly what to do, you’ll be surprised how simple and effective the exercises can be.
You might even prefer this format over in-person training because you can do it in the comfort of your own home and replay the clip as many times as you like.
The best YouTube workout videos almost feel like an in-person training session because the trainer is always there to encourage and talk you through each step as the timer counts down. Plus, it’s free!
Cook and eat at home
When you’ve been confined to your home all day, the only thing you want to do is get outside and enjoy a nice meal – but if you’re not careful, those nice meals can turn into extra centimetres on your body.
That’s why this point is so important: even the most dedicated COVID-safe exercise regime may not be enough to stave off the effects of days cooped up on the couch and in the home office.
Anna from Paramount Health says “By cooking and eating fresh food at home, you give yourself more control over what ingredients (and how much) go into the food you eat, all of which helps with consuming the right amount of calories.
You also have more control over portion sizes, which can be a huge contributor to unexpected weight gain and poor health”
Given the hectic time constraints and pressures of daily life, keeping fit can be a challenge at the best of times – but with a few minor lifestyle changes, you can make your health the priority it deserves to be.
Once you experience the difference, you might never want to return to your old way of life.