5 Tips For Staying Fit...While Staying Home
I've always been the first to proclaim my love for the gym and group fitness classes. The adrenaline and camaraderie are hard to beat. However, 2020 has changed this. Today, gyms pose a threat to our health as well as other people's. It's also now not as pleasant for those who choose to take the risk, with masks and social distancing required, the stigma attached, and the constant worry in the back of one's mind. So, here's some of my personal favorite ways to stay fit at home, as well as some of my top equipment picks!
1. Isaac Boots: Is it time for a splash? Not only is Isaac's class incredibly entertaining, it's beyond effective. I never in a million years would have thought I'd be able to stay as fit as I've managed to without a gym and minimal equipment, but low and behold — I have. And I attribute much of this to Isaac's classes. Plus, his daily 11am EST live classes are free of charge AND he's raised more than a MILLION dollars for No Kid Hungry! So, order some ankle weights and exercise bands, carve out 45 minutes, and get to his Instagram today. There's simply no excuse not to.
2. Yosuda Spin Bike: Yes, we all know that Peletons are amazing, expensive, and also on back order. Guess what? There's more than one brand of indoor bikes out there. Coming in at $339 on Amazon, Yosuda’s model won't break the bank and is space-friendly for those who are in apartments or tight quarters. And as one whose family suffers from bad knees, I can guarantee its flywheel is smooth and gentle for those with creaking joints. You can also still participate in Peleton or other live fitness classes on your iPad and there’s even has a holder for it or your phone!
3. Thick Strapped Wrist and Ankle Weights: Yes, they cost a little more, but I suggest the thick strap for two reasons. First of all, they function a lot better than the ones with a thin strap fasteners. Secondly, because the weights won't be sliding around during your workout, they'll last longer. The models with thin straps generally end up leaking sooner and not only is having sand all over your house annoying, but you'll have to replace the weights a lot more often, spending more money in the long run and having less efficient workouts. This 3lb pair from Fitnessery are some of my favorites.
4. Extra Thick Yoga Mat: Even if you don't have bad joints, a good way to preserve the ones you have is with a little extra padding. The good news? There are plenty of great options out there, and at reasonable prices. This one from GoYoga on Amazon is fantastic, durable, and can be in your home gym in a few days.
5. YouTube: Yes, I love YouTube for fitness. Know why? You can find literally any type of workout at any length you want — for free! I think this is a totally under-utilized source for exercise and highly recommend it for anyone bored with their current home workouts. Here's some of my favorites:
Barre with Coach Kel: Perfect for any barre fans, she's truly fantastic and even has some videos for the moms-to-be out there.
Yoga with Adriene: A yoga video for every yogi. Lots of different styles, levels, and time lengths. All you need is a mat.
Bodyweight/Men/Sports: For specified workouts or something a little tougher, check out Evolve Functional Fitness. There’s a TON of different types of workouts ranging from just a few minute long tutorials, to hour-long core and strength workouts.