Tips for staying active and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic
Well...what can I say? These are some mad, crazy times. COVID-19 (aka Coronavirus) has well and truly hit the UK. Gyms are closed, we’re told to stay indoors and with this it’s easy to feel demotivated and forget about your earlier goals and intentions for 2020.
But hold on! Surely now more than ever it’s important to focus on your health? To move your body daily in ways that make you feel good and energised. Don’t forget that exercise is great for your mental wellbeing too and in these uncertain, frustrating times it’s super important you make time for yourself.
I’ve always been an advocate for finding ways to move your body outside of the traditional gym environment. Here are my top tips for moving your fitness regime into the home:
1. Schedule it in
Treat your home workouts like a gym or personal training session. Schedule them into your diary at a time you know will fit around children, work and other bits you have to do during the day. My advice is to try and get them in first thing in the morning or around lunch time.
2. Make a plan
Sit down and write your sessions out, or save workouts you come across on YouTube or Instagram. That way when the time comes you can use your time effectively and not waste time scrolling or searching for something to do.
3. Invest?
Whilst it’s not absolutely necessary, investing in a few bits of kit keeps your options open and helps you add variety and progression to your workouts. My go to pieces include: resistance bands (loop mini-band or the longer kind), a kettlebell upwards of 8kg and/or a set of adjustable dumbbells.
4. Make use of apps and ebooks
There are so, so many training apps and online plans available - Fiit, Seven and 8Fit are just a few that spring to mind. On top of this, there are magnitudes of downloadable training plans that are tailored to your ability as well as the equipment you have and time you can commit. Make things as hassle-free as possible and use these to keep you on track.
5. Head outdoors
At the time of writing, UK government still allows us to go outside to exercise each day. Take full advantage of this as you never know, the rules around this could change for the worse. Whether you run, jog or go for a long walk, the fresh air will do both you and your step count good. There is no reason that you can’t set a new goal to run your first 5km race once this is over - the Couch To 5k app or any steady running plan will help you get there.
6. Take it seriously
Sure, you’re not going out to complete your workout so it’s easy to put it off until later, or write it off entirely but where’s the good in that? Think about how good you’ll feel after having done the time. Remember the endorphin high and the sense of accomplishment post-workout cannot be beaten.
7. Remote training
With the closure of gyms many trainers have moved their work online (myself included*). Remote training provides the same expertise and instruction as you would receive during a face-to-face session, only you’re in your home and the trainer is in theirs! If you need to be held accountable, need an extra boost in motivation or you’re unsure about form and technique then this is perhaps the best option for you.
*I’m currently offering remote training to keep people active during the UK lockdown. Get in touch using the contact page to find out more and book your session in!
