How to Stay Active at Home
A week ago we were participating in our usual outlets of exercise – group runs, walks with friends, classes at gyms, sporting programs for the kids, and more. Then just like that, everything changed within the span of a few days. In order to make safe decisions and practice social distancing, we’re missing our usual exercise activities.
I’m a runner and a coach for Porter County Parks and Extra Mile. I go to the Y, Orange Theory, and F45. Doing all of those things is a comfort, release, and a huge benefit to my mental health. I miss the Extra Mile Fitness Company training group runs with my friends and our chatting before, during, and after (usually while drinking coffee). I miss my group classes. I’m not competitive, but I do like the push and encouragement from others and the coaches.
We can find ways to stay active during this time, even if it means getting creative. This article from Runner’s World might have “runner” in the title, but if you replace the work “runner” with “walking,” “biking,” “swimming,” “group classes,” etc., it still translates the same. This is a difficult time, but we can persevere. Here are some resources and ideas for how to exercise during the stay-at-home order.
Many online fitness portals are offering free access to their content during this time. The Peleton app is one example of this, along with Yoga, HIIT, Strength, Boot Camp. A new one I discovered is CorePower Yoga. I was able to choose a video to get started with – no registration necessary.
The Valpo YMCA is producing at-home workouts and uploading them to their YouTube channel. You can also find the workouts on their Facebook page.
STRONG by Zumba is streaming workouts on their YouTube channel.
Lifetime also has many at home workouts you can do.
Orange Theory Fitness is producing at home workouts that you can access here and you don’t have to be a member to access them.
Extra Mile Fitness Company is offering a free 5-week marathon and half marathon program for those who missed out on their spring goal races. They’re also offering a week-by-week 5K training program. You can find out more information on their Facebook page or on their website.
When you’re in a class, there’s motivation from the instructor and classmates, conversation, upbeat music. Keeping motivated to do at home workouts is key – so try one from each.
In regards to being outside, I’m running alone now, and I haven’t ran alone in a very long time. I’m always with a group of friends. However, I’m finding that I enjoy the change. I live in a rural area, which means there are lots of county roads to explore. I concentrate more on listening to my feet, the birds, and nature. I’m also listening to my thoughts. During the past week I have “felt all of the things: from sadness, anger, anxiety, frustration, loneliness, and loss to brief-but-powerful moments of gratitude and hope,” as described in this article. However, keeping up with my routine has helped to ease the intensity of those feelings.
If you’re working from home, here are stretches you can do at home to alleviate the soreness from sitting. Set a timer if you are working from home to get up every once in a while. Here are some ideas for at-home “weights” if you don’t have any. If you have stairs, climb the stairs. If you have children, involve them in the movement – an eLearning break might be necessary for a few moments through the day.
Explore your neighborhood while social distancing. Just listen while walking. Breathe in and out. Go to a park and walk the trails. Find information about our parks here.
Movement every day is good for the soul!