The COVID-19 crisis has impacted our daily lives in countless ways and many of us are now working from and self-isolating at home. While this “new normal” feels anything but normal, maintaining or even beginning a fitness routine at home can help improve both your emotional and physical well-being during this unprecedented and stressful time. Much like working from home, exercising at home requires strategies, structure and discipline. I reached out to some of the top fitness professionals to ask them to share their tips for how to be successful with a home workout program and on staying active while spending so much time indoors. Here’s what they had to say:
Tamilee Webb has a B.A. in Physical Education and a Master of Arts degree in Exercise Science with numerous fitness certifications. She was inducted into the Fitness Hall of Fame in 2008, is the author of four best-selling books, The Original Rubber Band Workout, Step-up Fitness, Workout for Dummies and Defy Gravity Workout. Tamilee has been involved with numerous fitness television programs and video workouts and is perhaps best known for her successful Buns of Steel series that sold more than 10 million copies!
Tamilee’s Tips:
*If you are short on space, time, or equipment, try to do 25 repetitions of what I call, “The Basic 4.” Pushups, crunches, tricep dips and jumping jacks. Pyramid pushups are also a simple yet effective full body workout. You simply do one pushup (on your knees if you need to modify), and then stand up, then go back down on the ground and do two pushups and stand up. Continue adding a pushup until you reach 10 and then work your way back to 1 pushup, always standing in between. You’ll have completed 109 pushups!
*Online and DVD home workouts are also a great option, but search for instructors that are a good match for your personality as well as your body type. A good workout should be safe, effective and (most importantly) fun!
*Take advantage of virtual meeting applications like Facetime and Zoom and connect with your friends for some group fitness time. Try a virtual fitness happy hour, where you each take turns coming up with moves for the group to do together. You’ll enjoy channeling your inner workout instructor, sharing some time with friends, and burn some calories!
*Commit to a routine. If you’re going to do a morning workout, set your alarm each day. Create visual reminders by using a calendar or checking off your workouts on your “to do list” each day. Don’t get stuck in a rut of doing the same things. If you’re bored or not enjoying your workouts, you won’t stick to doing them routinely. Your workouts should make you feel good! Finally, remember that something is better than nothing. There are days that I call, “the goes, the woes, and the slows.” On a “goes” day, when you’re extremely motivated, challenge yourself and aim for 30-60 minutes. On a “woes” day, it’s okay to only do 10-20 minutes, or break your workout into smaller, more manageable segments throughout the day.
On a “slow” day, when you aren’t feeling as energized, focus on stretching, flexibility and meditation. Be consistent with doing something each day and the results you’re looking for will follow!
Want more of Tamilee’s expert advice? Take advantage of her free 15 minute consultation offer available on her Facebook page at: @TamileeWebbFitness
You can learn more about Tamilee Webb and her available workout programs at https://www.designyourfitplans.com/ and https://www.tamileewebb.com/ and on Facebook at @TamileeWebbFitness , on Instagram @TamileeWebb, and on Twitter @TamileeWebb
Gilad Janklowicz is one of the world’s most popular and recognizable fitness personalities and his incredibly successful television show, Bodies in Motion with Gilad, was the longest running fitness show in the United States. He’s also the creator and star of the Total Body Sculpt with Gilad television program, more than 30 workout video programs and was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame.
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
