During these sweltering summer days, we would have wanted to take advantage of our membership in air-conditioned gyms or studios to exercise; to keep ourselves fit before flaunting our perfectly chiseled abs and bikini body in our most awaited beach getaway.
But COVID-19 happened. So instead, we remain cooped up at home to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from the virus. Preventive restrictions and lockdowns have also led to the closure or reduced capacity of fitness clubs, wellness centers, and sports arenas; hampering our once active workout routines and athletic pursuits.
Perhaps we’re missing the social atmosphere of gyms where people in all shapes and sizes stay on the grind for their body goals as well as those hardcore training sessions with our coach who pushes us to our limits so we can beat our personal best. We can’t help but reminisce about the impromptu hiking trips that brought us closer to breathtaking sceneries and the fun runs we enjoyed with our friends before sunrise.
Now more than ever, we need a healthy body and a sound mind to fight the disease.
We don’t only exercise for the sole purpose of having a good-looking physique. Fitness is not just about aesthetics. People are encouraged to get fit and active to build a strong immune system and take care of their physical and mental health especially in this time of the pandemic.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), engaging in regular physical activities has plenty of benefits such as maintaining a healthy body weight lowering the risk of high blood pressure; and management or prevention of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and several cancers. It also helps improve mental health: reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety, boosting cognitive functions, and delaying dementia onset. In addition, physical activity strengthens our bones and muscles and improves our balance – reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
Based on the WHO recommendation, it is ideal for us to perform “150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or a combination of both.”
WHO suggests minimizing our sitting time by having 3-5 minute breaks every 20-30 minutes and doing physical movements; like standing up, stretching, or walking around the house. It also cites scheduling a daily fitness routine by ourselves or with friends (online); making time to bond and get active with our family at home and setting goals with them while tracking each other’s progress.
Indoor Fitness Exercise at Home
The pandemic forced us to become more creative with our indoor fitness activities by enrolling in virtual classes, practicing calisthenics, streaming exercise programs, downloading workout apps; and setting up a makeshift training nook at the garage with our own gym equipment. There are also other ways to get active outside the usual sports or exercise like carrying heavy grocery bags, gardening, taking the stairs, cycling to the bank, or cleaning the room.
We listed down some fun at-home workout ideas that can motivate you to get off the couch and break a sweat. Take note that it’s best to consult with your doctor first before undergoing training programs especially if you have certain health issues.
ENGAGE IN BODYWEIGHT INDOOR FITNESS EXERCISE
No gym equipment? No problem! When we think of strength training, we often associate it with lifting heavy weights and using expensive machines. But what we might not realize is that our own body is already a great form of workout equipment in itself that could help us burn calories and build strong muscles.
Lace your sneakers, free up a small space in your living room, and use your own weight as resistance against gravity to strengthen your body at the comfort of your home. Common examples are push-ups, planks, squats, lunges, pull-ups, sit-ups, step-ups, leg raises, burpees, jumping jacks and mountain climbers. Some of these can target a specific body part while others can provide a full-body sweat sesh. Bodyweight exercises are perfect for beginners who want to build a regular habit of working out and you can spice it up with different variations to make it more challenging for the intermediate and advanced levels. This kind of training is free, convenient, efficient and it poses less injury risk!
ROLL OUT YOUR YOGA MAT
Wear something comfy, get back on your mat, and experience the therapeutic effects of yoga for both the mind and the body. Sure, it would be nice to practice our downward-facing dog with other yogis in our neighborhood studio or go on a restorative yoga retreat in Bali, but right now it would be much safer to do it in our own backyard until travel resumes. Yoga is a combination of physical poses, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation practice, according to Mayo Clinic. Aside from helping us relax, yoga also has other possible health benefits: it can help reduce stress and anxiety, boost our mood, manage symptoms of depression, enhance our balance and flexibility, and control neck pain, low back pain, and signs of menopause.
An article from Harvard Health Publishing showed that yoga can promote better body image and mindful eating, aid weight loss and maintenance, and boost overall fitness by improving muscle strength and endurance. It also has cardiovascular benefits such as helping lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and excessive blood sugar levels. Whether you need to calm your mind, strengthen your body or find stress relief in these trying times, yoga is something that can help you cope with the situation. If you’re new to the practice, there are plenty of guided sessions online like Yoga with Adriene so you don’t have to be in an Indian ashram to do your sun salutations and tree pose.
TRY ONLINE INDOOR FITNESS CLASSES
From books, museum tours, university courses, and dating, almost everything has gone digital these days. Even fitness has become very accessible online with free workout videos, subscription services, apps, and live group exercise programs. Get into the groove with the fun dance cardio classes of 305 Fitness that will make you sweat like crazy and boost your mood all while helping you burn those extra calories! Miss your regular spin classes at the gym? Invest in a Peloton bike and enjoy a heart-pumping indoor cycling session in the comfort of your own room windoor fitness activities. Or you can get the app and explore different workout classes like strength, running, cycling, boot camp, yoga, and meditation. If you’re feeling a bit competitive, you can also try Zwift (paired with a smart trainer) for interactive group rides with your fellow cyclists and fun races in a virtual environment.
For those who experience burnout from work and home duties, you can punch away your stress by booking a high-intensity 60-minute online boxing class at Flyweight. Learn shadow boxing techniques, conditioning workouts, core and footwork exercises from the trainers, and feel the thrill of the bout in the ring minus the pain. Another great way to do cardio is by jogging in your backyard. Lack the motivation to run? Imagine being chased by flesh-eating zombies while trying to survive the apocalypse! With the Zombies, Run! mobile game, you’ll be pumped up to complete your mission and walk, jog or run anywhere you are.
IMPROVISE HOUSEHOLD ITEMS INTO TRAINING EQUIPMENT
At this point, most fitness buffs probably have a makeshift training space at home with their own workout equipment. Things like kettlebells, treadmills, and medicine balls are a good investment for our health and can save us some cash on expensive gym memberships. But not everyone can afford such gear especially during the pandemic so why not improvise a bit and use common household items as your indoor fitness accessories? After all, those bags of rice at the pantry can double as your dumbbells for your squats, bicep curls, and deadlifts. For other lifting exercises, you can also use water gallons and paint cans.
While traveling is still on pause, our luggage and backpack can also be useful in our little fitness corner. Fill your backpack with books or canned goods for that extra weight in your cardio and bodyweight exercises like lunges or push-ups. Load your suitcase and do deadlifts with it. Utilize your sturdy chair at home for tricep dips and incline push-ups. No kettlebell? No problem – just get your laundry detergent bottle instead and swing it to tone your arms. Still, have those excess paper plates from your kid’s birthday party? These can be a good alternative for gliding discs or sliders to level up your lunges and mountain climbers. You can also borrow the basketball or soccer ball of your brother and incorporate it into your typical medicine ball exercises like burpees and Russian twists.
FIND OTHER FUN WAYS TO GET ACTIVE IN YOUR INDOOR FITNESS EXERCISE
Working out and playing competitive sports are not the only ways to be fit. There are other means to get your body moving while staying indoors like doing basic household chores. Sweeping the floor, doing the laundry, dusting the windows, and taking care of your garden won’t just tidy up your surroundings and belongings. These also contribute to being physically active rather than just lounging on the couch all day. If you need to run errands outside the house, work your muscles by riding a bicycle instead of driving a car.
For those who are working from home and spending most of their time sitting in front of the computer screen, take some time to stretch and squeeze in some squats and lunges in between breaks. If you’re allowed to turn off the camera during Zoom meetings, you can also use that chance to walk in place or around the house while listening and participating in the discussion.
Who says binge-watching your favorite series will turn you into a couch potato? You can actually walk on a treadmill, jump rope or pedal your stationary bike while anticipating the next scene in front of the TV. During your leisure time, bond with the whole family by playing games like hopscotch, hula hoops and frisbee. Take your dog for a walk. Put on your epic playlist and host a dance party at home with your siblings or organize a fun Zoom workout with your friends. Get those endorphins pumping and don’t forget to hydrate well to beat the heat this summer!
Being stuck at home does not equate to having a sedentary lifestyle
We can use this time to spend more time with our family while doing enjoyable indoor fitness activities that are not just fun but also beneficial to our health. Let’s challenge ourselves to be more creative with our workout routines and find the right motivation to achieve our goal of having a strong and beautiful mind and body. Doing these heart-racing activities at home can also be our preparation for an adventure-filled life after the pandemic.
And when we speak of thrill, we can’t help but dream of going back to Cagayan de Oro, a haven for adrenaline junkies and outdoor enthusiasts. From the wild whitewater rafting, paragliding, spelunking excursions, canyoneering, and ziplining, CDO will never run out of activities for thrill-seekers.
CDO, the capital of Misamis Oriental province, is the commercial, business and transportation hub of northern Mindanao and a logistics center in the southern Philippines. This highly urbanized city also serves as the gateway to Camiguin Island, Iligan City and Bukidnon. It is not just a popular destination for adventure-loving tourists but for potential investors as well, so finding a condo for sale in the “City of Golden Friendship” is definitely a wise choice for those who consider living or investing in CDO.
READY TO OWN A CONDO IN CAGAYAN DE ORO?
The Loop Towers by Camella Manors is a twin-tower premium property in Cagayan de Oro that is located at the heart of Limketkai Center, CDO’s central business district. The condominium is accessible to grocery stores, banks, churches, hospitals, malls, universities, pastry shops, and electronic shops. Several tourist destinations and lifestyle centers are also nearby.
The Loop Towers is the first high-rise residential project of Vista Land outside Metro Manila. It has a contemporary design with a fine blend of modern and sophisticated vibe from its facade to amenities. Residents will enjoy a picturesque view of the Kitanglad Mountain Range and Macajalar Bay from the towers.
It’s first building, The North Tower, is part of the 31-hectare township in the city center. There are 522 units that comprise the studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom units within the 26-storey condo project inside a 5,878 sq.m. area. Turnover is ongoing.
The second building, The Azent Tower, will soon open at Limketkai Center.
The Loop is only an hour and 45-minute flight away from Manila and its strategic location spells convenience for travelers and investors who wish to explore the whitewater rafting capital of the Philippines and northern Mindanao’s regional center.
Enjoy the amenities of a resort-style condo such as the club house, fitness gym, function hall, play park and swimming pool.This private development also has a 24/7 security with the roving personnel and CCTVs for your safety and peace of mind.
If you have more questions, kindly visit the official website of Camella Manors by clicking here.
