On any given day, finding the motivation to work out can be difficult. You have to possess the willpower to get your butt off the couch and into the gym. Normally, you can find that motivation by telling yourself that you need to work out now because you won’t have time later. But what happens when the world is dealing with an airborne pandemic called Covid-19, every gym in your town closes, and you have to stay home indefinitely? Suddenly, every ounce of motivation you once possessed has evaporated into a cloud of worry, stress, and exhaustion that the coronavirus has brought into your daily life.
So how do you regain the motivation to exercise, meet your fitness goals, and fight off anxiety, all while following the government-mandated social distancing policy? The answer is simple. All you have to do is work out from home. Below is a list of five ways to work out, for free, at home (even if you are currently living through the apocalypse).
- Go Outside for a Walk, Run, or Bike Ride
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This one may seem like a no brainer, but the best way to get moving and boost your mood is to go outside for a walk, run, or bike ride. It’s a fun and easy way to work in a daily dose of cardio without using any expensive machines or gym equipment. In addition, getting some fresh air on a sunny day is a proven way to lift your spirits even in the most turbulent of times. Try apps like the Nike Run Club to track your progress, plan daily runs, and share workout data with friends online.
A bonus to outdoor workouts is that you can still do them with other people. As long as you are six feet apart, going for a walk or run outdoors is also an opportunity to bond one on one with a friend or family member.
- Take an Online Yoga Class
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In the two weeks since I have come home from university, I’ve been stressing a lot about how I am going to manage all my school commitments online. To deal with all of this stress and get out of my desk chair at least once every afternoon, I have turned to the wonderful world of YouTube yoga videos. Creators like Yoga with Adrienne and PopSugar have full yoga class videos that you can follow from your bedroom. The variety of videos out there means there is a workout for everyone at any difficulty level. On top of that, yoga exercise emphasizes a sense of unity between the mind and body. Within every online yoga video, the instructor gives you an opportunity to escape from everything going on around you and just focus on finding your breath. Overall, it’s an amazing opportunity to tone your muscles while also taking a moment to focus on the present moment. The feeling of calm after concluding your daily yoga practice is worth all the sweaty heaving you will be doing during the workout. Check out my current favorite video here.
- Do Some Dance Cardio to Your Favorite Songs
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This one is just pure fun. All you have to do pick a playlist upbeat song and release your inner J-Lo or Shakira. All the exercise comes from all the fast movements you will be doing while you hit the dance floor in your living room; you don’t even have to be that good at dancing to do this. As a certified uncoordinated person, I can attest to the calorie-burning joy that comes from just being yourself and dancing like nobody’s watching. In times of social isolation, it’s likely that nobody but your dog is going to be watching you anyway.
If you want to make sure you tone and work the right muscles while you dance, check out Women’s Health Magazine’s List of Calorie Burning Dance Cardio Moves. They are easy moves that can help anyone work up a sweat, even if you are as uncoordinated as I am.
- Follow Along With an At-Home Barre Class
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There are POPSUGAR Barre Class online, and Barre Workouts | Downdog are also offering free access to students and teachers until July 1, 2020. All you have to do is create an account using an .edu e-mail!
- Challenge Yourself by Doing a High-Intensity Body Weight Workout
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Freeletics, Self-fitness, YouTube, Women’s Health, and Down Dog High Intensity Workouts are all great online resources with fun and challenging workouts!
So, what are you still doing on the couch? Grab a pair of sneakers, a water bottle, and get moving! Now there are #noexcuses to miss your weekly workout schedule because you have all the resources you need, right at home, and you have nothing but time to kill.
No matter what, remember that working out is a form of self-care. Especially in times of stress or uncertainty, exercise can provide vital moments of clarity and the feeling that you are in control of yourself. Take rest days in between intense workouts and be mindful of your body’s individual physical limits.
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