Staying in Shape When the Gym’s Closed

For people who regularly exercise at the gym or swim laps, the extended quarantine poses challenges for staying in shape. It’s time to get a bit creative because exercise is more important than ever during these stressful times. And at Stoker Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles, we’re concerned about our patients’ overall wellness.

In this blog post, we’ll offer some ideas about exercising at home and remind you that it’s important to get outside at least once a day to keep your skin healthy (with sun protection, of course!). In addition to the ideas offered here, check out information from the World Health Organization (WHO) about staying physically active during the quarantine.

How to Stay in Shape at Home

One of the most important things to do when your regular daily routine is upended is to build physical activity into your schedule. If you normally went to the gym, tennis court, or pool at a specific time each day, try to maintain that schedule.

Exercising at home doesn’t require expensive equipment. Consider some of these options:

It’s easy to find exercise videos on YouTube. Start with videos that provide about 10 to 15 minutes of exercise. You can do multiple videos throughout the day and then extend the length of your workout sessions.

Maintain a written exercise log and keep track of your goals. Holding yourself accountable (especially if you’re used to having a personal trainer) is essential.

If you don’t already have an exercise mat, order one online so you have more flexibility about where you can work out.

Think of exercises to do amid your daily routines such as lunges while loading laundry into the dryer, pushups while waiting for water to boil, or leg raises while sitting at your desk.

If your home includes stairs, use them to get in a cardio workout.

Canned goods are an excellent option for resistance training if you don’t have weights at home. Resistance bands are great tools, too.

Runners, of course, can do what they always do. But if you’re not a runner, walk, walk, walk.

You can also check out Nike Training Club (NTC) premium, which now doesn’t require a subscription.

Remember, the gyms, courts, and pools will eventually re-open. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle now will make the return that much easier.