The state of the world has been unpredictable. With gyms, beaches, and most everything else closed, most of America is spending their time holed up in quarantine. But that doesn’t mean your fitness routine needs to be unpredictable too. Maybe you’ve gotten by the last few weeks by taking a walk outside a few days a week, but with the extended quarantine in place, you’re probably feeling that those short walks just don’t cut it anymore. Whatever your situation is, we’ve got you covered with creative ways to make sure you stay fit while you stay safe.
Streaming a Yoga Class
First up on the list has been my favorite so far. It has literally been a life saver for me. So many amazing Yoga studios have been hosting free or donation based classes online. Either hop on a live-stream or choose from hundreds of pre-recorded videos and get your practice in.
The nature of Asana Yoga is extremely beneficial in quarantine, where the key areas of focus should be functional movement and general well-being. Most of our daily movements have been removed from quarantine. We may not realize it, but all of those little movement we do throughout the day add up, and help to maintain our strength.
Yoga can be a great way to test your limits, while simultaneously opening up any tight or stiff areas. It is also a great way to find mental clarity, and clear out any stress or anxiety!
Sitting on the Floor
This sounds like a silly one, but it may be the most beneficial practice you can incorporate into a quarantine lifestyle. Laying down, and sitting in a chair or couch for long stretches of time can begin to shift your body out of alignment. Chairs will tighten up your hips and strain your lower back if you don’t maintain perfect posture, and lying down on a mattress or cushion will only serve to perpetuate the issue.
Spending time on the floor is essential to creating an aligned, able and healthy body. Spend some time in different positions; laying on your stomach, sitting cross legged, and kicking your legs out on either side. Spend a bit of time like this everyday and marvel at how your hips begin to open up and you begin to regain that range of motion lost to your last Netflix binge on the couch.
Body Weight Training
You don’t need weights to stay fit. Use your yoga mat as a soft surface and work on high-rep exercises such as push ups, planks, and bicycle crunches. If you’re feeling especially motivated get a HIIT or circuit going, and conjoin three or four workouts into one lap. You’ll be sweating and burning calories in no time.
Host an Online Dance Party
This is an interesting one but can be loads of fun. One of the toughest aspects of quarantine is, well the social distancing. Not seeing friends and family as regularly as we are used to can be difficult.
A fun way to incorporate socializing into your fitness routine is to host an online dance party. Invite your friends and family to a Zoom chat, and share your favorite tunes. Dancing is a great way to get your body moving in ways that support functional health. It will help to break up those gunky joints, and loosen up those tightening muscles. Plus, its a dance party!
Go for a Bike Ride
There is only so much that can be done indoors. If you are in an area with little to no foot traffic, think about going for a bike ride. Fresh air and a little bit of nature in our life is something we won’t take for granted again. Make sure you’re prepared, and practicing safe protocol by wearing a mask if you are in a populated area such as a city or a park.
These are strange times. But we are in this together. At Charming Shark, our priority is your safety, but also your well-being. Make sure you and your loved ones are taking care of yourselves by practicing mindful activity. It goes a long way for both your physical and mental state in such a stressful time. You can find more interesting topics on our blog to incorporate into your quarantine lifestyle here, such as meditation, surf inspired reading, and workouts for you next surf session!
Written by: AJ Letterel
