When gyms closed in March, many were scrambling for ways to keep in shape – or some semblance of shape – without our treadmills, weights, and the accountability of trainers.
And let's face it: most of us are not that creative when it comes to exercise at home, and maybe a quarantine was an easy excuse to let things slide for a bit.
Time to ditch the excuses. Whether online or in-home, workouts outside of the gym are abundant.
Here are some ideas to consider:
* Check YouTube for free classes, from yoga to intense cardio (and admit it – you're probably home in your yoga pants anyway).
* Squats. These are easy to do in small spaces and can be done with weights or just body weight. You can practice good form by setting a chair about three feet from a wall, face the wall with your feet about shoulder-width apart, and then squatting down until your butt touches the chair (or your face touches the wall).
* Push-ups. The useful thing about push-ups is that there are tons of variations, ranging from traditional straight-leg push-ups done on the floor to wall push-ups.
* Circuit training. Choose a rotation of activities that work a variety of muscle groups and work through the activities two or three times. The rotation could include squats, planks, lunges, jumping jacks, and others.
* Get outside and take a walk, a hike, bike, or go for a run. (If social distancing advisories are still in place, this isn't the time to meet with a group. Consider whether you can keep a safe distance apart from others, and remember that you could be breathing heavily.)
* Check with your gym to see whether they're offering online workouts or have sent materials to members with suggested exercises to do on your own.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.