Some of my favorite lyrics are “My body stay vicious/I be up in the gym just working on my fitness” from Fergalicious by Fergie. They remind me of the times I used to head to the gym (every once in a while) and watch episodes of The Wendy Williams Show while on the elliptical. I felt good getting a workout in with a few laughs. Those were the happy memories of days gone by. But we must embrace the present moment and work on our fitness at home. The benefits of working out at home include no gym fees, freedom to wear whatever you want, and no need to travel far to start your exercise routine. Here are three ways to exercise at home!
1. Go Walking!
It is as simple as the statement above. Walking is a great way to take in the fresh air and enjoy being outside. Put on a light coat, pack your water bottle, and bring a (furry) friend. Walking for at least 30 minutes a day can improve cardiovascular fitness, digestion, and alleviate joint pain. You can add in arm movements and jogging at short intervals to challenge yourself. It is something that anyone can do and is perfect for starting up exercising again.
2. Try a Workout video
Go to google and type in workout videos, you are bound to find something you will like. I personally enjoy doing a variety of workouts because I get bored easily. I usually go for cardio workouts that are low impact because they have the least pressure on my joints. On YouTube, I watch the Body Project’s videos which include interval training with punching, kicking, squats, etc. They have High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Tabata Cardio, and many beginner workouts. Australian husband and wife duo, Daniel and Alex are very encouraging and funny. While sheltering in place, I had the opportunity to try out a streaming service called Daily Burn for free. It had exercises for all levels and all types including dance, yoga, cardio, and kickboxing. My favorite video from this service was LaBlast Rhythm party created by Dancing With The Stars alum, Louis Van Amstel. In this video, I learned 70’s disco moves, tango, quickstep, salsa, and jive. He has a personality that is as bold as his dance moves. Xfinity On Demand also has some free videos. You can try out “Cardio Walk” for a low intensity workout or “Steady State Cardio” for a challenging kickboxing workout.
3. Have a Dance Party
Turn on Spotify and play a dance playlist because it is time to dance! I like to have a good mix of songs that are easy to dance to and ones I can sing along with. Some songs I have in my playlist are “Hips Don’t Lie (feat. Wyclef Jean)” by Shakira, “Pump It” by Black Eyed Peas, “Wannabe” by Spice Girls, and “I Love It (Feat. Charli XCX) by Icona Pop. Pick a space in your home that has enough room to move around because your house is your dance floor. You don’t need to have a dance routine in mind, just feel the beat of the music.
Mixing up the way you work out at home is the best way to keep a routine that never gets stale. With exercise, you can maintain a healthy weight, strengthen your bones and muscles, and improve your sleep. I think anytime is a great time to try to improve your life with exercise because it helps your physical and mental health. It will also take your mind off of the health crisis we are enduring. Do your part by staying at home and working out!