Staying in Shape at Home

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us have been spending a lot more time at home. While natural homebodies may be fairly amenable to this situation, it’s been a bit of an adjustment for people whose primary hobbies involved leaving the house. This is particularly true for fitness buffs who regularly worked out at gyms and/or crowded outdoor spaces.

Staying in Shape at Home During COVID-19

Fortunately, being house-bound doesn’t have to mean putting physical fitness on the backburner.

As you’ll find, staying in shape at home is well within your abilities.

Stick to a Manageable Fitness Schedule

People who are house-bound generally have to create their own structure. While this comes naturally to many seasoned homebodies, people who are accustomed to having structure imposed by outside forces may need to work at this.

The self-imposed structure is particularly important when it comes to physical fitness. In its absence, most of us are liable to skip workouts and fall well short of our goals.

With this in mind, set to work creating a manageable exercise schedule and outlining realistic fitness goals. This schedule should outline which workout techniques you’ll focus on and how much time you’ll devote to exercise in a given week.

If you initially have trouble sticking to your schedule, don’t get discouraged and throw in the towel. Most fitness schedules require a little bit of tweaking before they’re truly manageable.

Try Your Hand at Yoga

Yoga can prove beneficial to your health in a number of ways. In addition to increased flexibility, yoga has been linked to chronic pain reduction and good heart health. Yoga can also do wonders for one’s mental well-being.

Since practicing yoga has been associated with reduced cortisol levels, it can be a great tool for combating pandemic-related stress. Furthermore, regularly engaging in yoga can lead to a significant reduction in anxiety and depression, both of which are being felt in abundance in 2020.

So, if you’re ready to attain mental clarity while improving your physical health, order a good yoga pillow and get started.

Engage in Equipment-Free Strength Training Exercises

When many people think of strength training, their minds go directly to heavyweights. While weight lifting factors into a lot of strength training regimens, there are a number of strength training exercises you can perform without any equipment.

Sit-ups, push-ups, and body squats are just a few examples of simple but effective exercises that can build muscle and boost strength without the aid of weights.

This isn’t to say that there’s anything wrong with weight lifting, but the notion that it’s essential to an effective strength training regimen is mistaken.

Play Movement-Oriented Video Games

Although gaming is often associated with being sedentary, there are a number of modern games designed to get people moving. For some of these titles, physical fitness is the primary goal, and in others, it’s simply a pleasant side-effect.

Anyone looking to combine their love of video games with their desire to get in shape should check out such movement-oriented titles as Ring Fit Adventure, Beat Saber, and Fitness Boxing.

Furthermore, any titles in the Dance Dance Revolution or Just Dance series are sure to get you sweating. Regardless of your preferred console(s), you should have no problem finding games that promote movement.

Resist Junk Food Cravings

For many of us, being house-bound means copious snacking. Whether we’re watching TV, enjoying a good book, or at a loss for something to do, we want a tasty snack within easy reach. There’s nothing wrong with the occasional comfort food indulgence, especially in times as trying as these.

However, giving in to every craving can be a detriment to your physical health – and your waistline. To help prevent yourself from constantly succumbing to temptation, stock up on health-conscious snacks and try your hand at healthy recipes.

Wrap-Up

There are numerous health benefits associated with staying in shape at home. Not only can consistent exercise help you maintain a healthy weight, but it can also heighten concentration, improve mental clarity and imbue your days with a sense of structure.

Additionally, staying fit is much easier than many people realize, even if you’re stuck at home. Anyone looking for a solid home workout will be well-served by the previously discussed pointers.

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