Stay-at-home restrictions continue to tighten in order to help contain the spread of COVID-19; yet now more than ever, it’s important for us to stay active and heart-healthy. Regular exercise is a proven way to combat anxiety, depression, and boost our overall sense of well-being.
UNCG AP Associate Professor of Kinesiology Anne Brady, director of the Helping Others Participate in Exercise (HOPE) program, shared these tips for keeping us moving at home:
- Schedule it: Even though you are not going to the gym, put exercise on your calendar and don’t miss that appointment.
- Check in: Stay accountable by checking in with friends, family, and neighbors; ask what they are doing and share your routines.
- Get creative: This provides opportunities to try new forms of exercise.
- Trails and parks in your neighborhood: Get outside! The weather is warming up, and there are still cool mornings. Be sure to adhere to social distancing!
- Body weight exercise: The 7-minute workout
- Virtual group classes: Les Mills and Silver Sneakers
- Create your own workout or class: Fitness Blender
- Share your resources: Many gyms, personal trainers, and organizations are posting free workouts. There are a variety of videos available for beginner to advanced, no equipment required, and you can use household items to create a home gym.
- Stick with it: It is possible to maintain and even improve fitness during this time, but you must be consistent. There are so many resources available, it can be overwhelming. Choose a few workouts or resources that you enjoy and when you need to change it up, go back to the list or check resources from friends.
Bottom line: It does not have to cost any money to stay active, but it does require time, dedication, and creativity. Have fun!
Each Wednesday, HHS will be posting a new at-home workout on Instagram, thanks to kinesiology alumnus Quan Pratt ‘17. Follow @uncghhs or search the hashtag #WorkoutWednesday.