The coronavirus has vastly changed the lives of many gym goers and some have been quick to re-adjust and adapt to stay committed to their active lifestyles. Many people have begun to workout at their local parks. Others are working out at home or going for runs around their block. 

It’s easy to get caught up binge-watching a series or being on your phone all day during the time of a crisis that restrains you from socializing with people face-to-face. After a while of doing so however, it could be unhealthy for your body to be sitting around or staying in one place after eating, as it will increase your body to store fat and what’s more, you’ll begin to feel sluggish. 

If you still feel clueless, as to where to start for your at home workout, no worries, I got you covered. There are many people who have been consistent with the gym for years, and to them this pandemic is a shock, because they are used to their routines in the gym. These people knew what machines they often liked to use, the weights that worked for them, and even had gyms with experts to instruct them how to workout. 

So many falsely believe that the only way to gain or maintain weight is to lift heavy weight, but this is not true. Because of this popular rumor so many think it is the only way to grow muscle and they choose to not even workout at all and are losing their sanity with all the gyms closing down. 

People initially sign up for the gym because they don’t want to spend a lot of money on weights or cardio machines. The good news is that weight training is a way to achieve muscle growth, but it’s not the only way. Calisthenics, is a form of exercise which utilises gravity and bodyweight, and is one of the most natural ways to grow muscle and stay lean. While doing Calisthenics you don’t need weights or workout machines. 

In the book, “Bodyweight strength training anatomy,” Bret Contreras states “With sound knowledge of the biomechanics of body-weight training, you can learn to create just as much force in the muscles as if performing heavy resistance training.” 

Many are unaware that muscle can be built solely on using their own body weight. When trying to advance in calisthenics, some great beginner exercises are: press-ups, squats, planks, walking lunges, and side planks. 

There are so many advertisements that try to pass the message that listeners should join their gym to achieve a lean body by the summer because there’s a societal view that people mainly join the gym just to “look good.” 

What isn’t being advertised is that people actually like to go to the gym, becauses it’s a safe environment and they feel the atmosphere gives them peace of mind.

Although gyms are all closed the good news is parks are still open to the public. According to the ACE organization, exercising outdoors enhances and boosts your mood much more than an indoor gym could. Being exposed to sunlight which provides Vitamin D is known to lift your mood and ward off depression. 

A pro about working outdoors for mental health is that you don’t have to go on a full on running marathon. A simple 15 minute walk will help uplift your energy and mood. Speaking of mental health improvement, another exercise known to improve your mental health is yoga. 

“The purpose of yoga is to build strength, awareness, and harmony in both the mind and body” Natalie Nevans, a certified Kundalini Yoga instructor, said. Stress can reveal itself in many forms through back pain, headaches, and even if you’re having trouble sleeping. If one consistently practices yoga they can begin to develop self-awareness. They could find themselves more relaxed, focused, and with a clear mind. Some examples of simple and beginning yoga practices are child’s pose, cobra pose, easy pose, and downward facing pose. 

Life has changed drastically for many, and even for those in the fitness world but I hope I’ve suggested helpful tips or exercises everyone could apply for themselves.