Exercising at home during quarantine might seem hard, but with some easy tips it can be pretty simple.
Continuing to exercise at home is essential, said Emily Blaney, a senior at the University of Wyoming.
“Exercising during this time when people are stressed about a lot, it’s even more important,” she said. Two experts, Danielle R. Bruns and Marci Smith, said they agree.
While Smith, a senior lecturer for exercise physiology, said the benefits are the same wherever you go, she does admit the social aspects of working out may be lacking in these times. However, Bruns, an assistant professor in the College of Health Sciences, and Smith both remarked that exercise will not only help physical health, but also mental health. Sleeping better and stressing less are just two mental health benefits.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends being physically fit in order to help combat any disease. Staying physically fit while at home can be difficult; however, people may have more resources to exercise at home than they realize.
Bruns suggested using anything you can find at home, including textbooks in a backpack. Searching online for any body weight or improvised workout is also a good alternative to the gym, as many big names in exercise are making their workouts free online in light of COVID-19.
If a person really wants to have some equipment, Blaney advised buying more inexpensive equipment such as resistance bands, medicine balls and dumbbells. It is less about the equipment, and more about working in the time to exercise.
To stay motivated, a schedule may help some people.
“Schedules help us get through our day. The schedule students create the first day might not be perfect. It might take a little time to figure out what works for them,” said Smith.
Blaney and Bruns stress that any amount of exercise is important, and it does not have to be complex to be a successful workout. Getting outside whenever possible while following rules regulated by the CDC is also essential.
While progressing in fitness goals might be hard right now, Smith has some advice:
“Be gentle with yourself. To think we’re all going to be perfect next week is unrealistic. Every day, we need to prioritize what’s important.”
Staying healthy, both mentally and physically, could be a challenge in the upcoming weeks, but exercising at home can help.
