How to Shelter in Place and Stay Fit
Written by Anya Willis
Many people are going stir crazy at this point from feeling cooped up. If you and yours are struggling with sheltering in place, focusing more on your fitness regimen can be a perfect solution. Gyms and studios are closed in most areas, but if you create a home workout space, you can keep your blood pumping and spirits up. With that in mind, we’ve assembled some resources to guide you along.
Elbow Room
The first thing you should consider is where to locate your workout space. Decide how many people could use it at a time, what prospective areas are currently underused, and how much space will be needed for everyone’s activities.
When choosing a room, you should take into account layout, safety, and how the space will be used.
Think through what equipment you’ll install and how much space is needed to use it.
Many athletic endeavors involve awkward positioning and the potential for accidents. A rubber floor can minimize risks, and installation averages $10 a square foot.
If space is tight, HomeSteady explains that you can still create a functional workout area and maintain aesthetics by disguising your equipment.
Worthy Workouts
How will you use your new space? Will it be for your private yoga sessions, or will it be a family-friendly, multi-functioning fitness center?
Solo yoga can be a vital part of self-care, especially if you’re in a busy household that is suddenly thrust together by the pandemic.
If you have a partner and are enjoying togetherness in the home gym, add some assisted stretching to your routine.
Getting the whole family together for a workout is a great way to bond, and it shows kids for sure that you practice what you preach.
Tech Tools
Once you have a space established and have decided how you’ll use it, it’s time to engage the tools that help you make it happen. Technology makes it easier in all regards.
If you have trouble sticking to a workout schedule, Johns Hopkins says a fitness tracker can help.
It can be challenging to think of fun and exciting things to do in a home gym, but there are many family-friendly streaming options available to liven up your routine.
You can even kick things up a notch with a smart home gym.
Need a more personalized approach? Consider connecting with a virtual personal trainer.
Is your home getting a little too close for comfort? A workout space can be just what you need. Decide on the wheres, whos, and hows, and it can be your space for “me” time, blowing off steam, or bonding. It’s a safe way to stay fit, and you can come through sheltering in place happy and healthy.