Keeping active is proven to have physical and mental health benefits, so staying as active as possible while in quarantine can really help us deal with this challenging situation.
Below are a few ideas. Please note that if you are ill, experiencing any symptoms, or have an injury, you should not exercise. Seek medical advice if you are not sure.
Walking the Dog
Yes, we need to spend as much time at home as possible – but our furry friends still need time outside, and walking the dog is a great way to get fresh air, exercise and just get some quiet time to reflect.
Just remember to maintain social distancing while out and about, and keep your dog on their lead to stop them approaching others.
Running / Jogging
If you have never been a jogger but have always wanted to try – this is as good a time as any. You can take it at your own pace, building up from slow and steady to a little faster, and enjoy the rewarding feeling that comes with getting faster.
Just make sure to be safe and maintain social distancing!
Cycling
Cycling is great exercise, and if you’re new to it going out now while roads are quieter might be a perfect way to start. If you are commuting to work, going via bike is also a fantastic way to maintain social distancing by avoiding public transport.
If you are planning to go out on your bike, make sure it’s correctly fitted to your height and the tyres are in good condition. And don’t forget to always, always wear a helmet and install lights and reflectors. Visibility is safety!
Yoga
Yoga is the perfect indoor exercise as it requires little space and little equipment – all you need is a bit of floor and a yoga mat, which are readily available online.
If you have never done yoga before and aren’t sure where to start, there are hundreds of YouTube tutorials, apps (both free and paid) and other online resources where beginners can get to grips with it.
One thing to be aware of is that different styles of yoga are suited to different ages and abilities, so be sure you know what you’re getting into to avoid injury.
Step Climbing
You don’t need an aerobics class to get stepping! If you have stairs in your home or block of flats, running or walking up and down them a few times every day is fantastic exercise and a great way to get your recommended daily steps in.
You can also make use of public stairs in parks or open spaces, but be sure to maintain social distancing if you do.
Weights
Most of us won’t be able to recreate the weightlifting area of our local gym at home, but if you have space for smaller hand weights and/or kettle bells you can get in a good workout. As with yoga, there are plenty of online workouts that use these smaller weights and they’re reasonably cheap to buy online.