What have we learnt about exercising from home?
BLOG BY AIMEE S
Sharing our tips to a successful home workout
The gyms have been closed, pools out of action, and you’ve likely walked around your local park so many times you could count all the leaves on the English oaks.
But, we've still needed to break a sweat. To switch off from work. And balance out those Percy Pigs that miraculously found their way into our cupboard since lockdown began - and keep reappearing. We all know - working out is not just about staying in shape - it’s about our mental health too. So, how did have we stayed motivated working out from home? And what have we learnt about being able to use our own little sanctuary to create a great, efficient workout?
Bring back the leg warmers
The pandemic has forced us to exercise indoors - but if you really think about it, home fitness workouts have been around for decades. Remember Jane Fonda and her grapevines? The noisy treadmill that required you to have the TV up really loud? And then there was the Wii Fit which encouraged us to get off the couch.
Well, they’ve come around full circle - there’s been no time like the present to get back on the lounge room floor and utilise all the free apps, yoga classes, and chic indoor equipment available out there. The trick is to get it right - we don’t want any lampshades being karate kicked to the floor.
The shift to online
Businesses and individuals have adapted well to shift their spaces online, making it easy to jump right into a workout at home with instructor-led workout on-demand or live classes available - anything from HIIT workouts, to strength, dance, and Pilates - any level, any pace, you name it. This is great for those who need commitment, routine and motivation. It’s also good to follow exact movements.
YogaHaven is one example where you can practice whenever, wherever you want with on-demand classes. The classes have been pre-recorded with the yoga teachers and are available to rent. There’s even live classes to follow if you need the added motivation to get up for 8am on the dot. Head to their site here to give it a go!
We got creative
Missed going out for a run with your friend or your weekly yoga class together? Many were getting together on a Zoom call together to take a class. Then following up with a hang around for an at-home de-brief afterwards on the couch. Winning!
If you didn't have dumbbells at home, there were no excuses! Canned beans and bottles of wine had more than one use.
Many invested in equipment
According to research, sales of fitness equipment during Covid-19 increased more than compared to previous years[1]. So for those of you that have the space to accommodate equipment (be it a home garage or extra room), working out at home has never been better, thanks to the premium equipment that gives you everything you need to get a professional training session right in the comfort of your own home.
The new wave of smart fitness equipment is helping to recreate the gym with live and on-demand classes, touchscreen displays, built-in cameras and all-in-one systems. It can also work out to be much more cost-effective - take Peloton’s calculator to see how much you can save. [2]
We got creative
Missed going out for a run with your friend or your weekly yoga class together? Many were getting together on a Zoom call together to take a class. Then following up with a hang around for an at-home de-brief afterwards on the couch. Winning!
If you didn't have dumbbells at home, there were no excuses! Canned beans and bottles of wine had more than one use.
Many invested in equipment
According to research, sales of fitness equipment during Covid-19 increased more than compared to previous years[1]. So for those of you that have the space to accommodate equipment (be it a home garage or extra room), working out at home has never been better, thanks to the premium equipment that gives you everything you need to get a professional training session right in the comfort of your own home.
The new wave of smart fitness equipment is helping to recreate the gym with live and on-demand classes, touchscreen displays, built-in cameras and all-in-one systems. It can also work out to be much more cost-effective - take Peloton’s calculator to see how much you can save. [2]
How we found motivation
This can be tricky, but we have found that this has helped us:
- Find a workout video/instructor you like and stick to it
- Change up your activities to keep them interesting and challenge your body
- Schedule your workout in - set a reminder, alarm - whatever works
- Set a goal and track progress
- Do a class with a friend online - have a friend that is a yoga / Pilates pro? Get them to lead a class for you and your friends online
Most of all, it’s important to remember to take some time to meditate, unwind, be mindful and stretch - it’s not all about the breathless sweaty workouts. We have learnt that now more than ever, it is important to take some me-time for our mental health.
References
[1] https://news.adobe.com/news/news-details/2020/Adobe-Unveils-First-Digital-Economy-Index/default.aspx
[2] https://www.onepeloton.com/calculator/household-size