How to stay active during quarantine
As we enter the umpteenth month of quarantine, it’s important to find a way to keep our bodies healthy despite the craziness of the world around us.
It is important to support yourself physically while at home. Although it might not have the same equipment as a gym, improvising and doing something is better than nothing.
Going to the gym is a daily routine that many enjoy, and one that is no longer possible with the coronavirus outbreak. With sports also canceled, many students are sitting at home with too much time on their hands. As we enter the second month of quarantine, it’s important to find a way to keep our bodies healthy despite the craziness of the world around us.
“During these times, if you aren’t active, it will lead to weight gain and could lead to other health issues. Another reason to remain active is to help with mental health and sanity,” explained Kevin Kirkby, a math teacher at Pascack Hills and the coach of the state champion baseball team.
Create a routine, and stick to it
To start, the most important thing is creating a routine and sticking to it. It’s much easier to commit yourself to something if you do it at the same time each day, and working out is no different. Pick a time after school ends and make that your allocated time to exercise.
“It’s good to have a routine during these difficult times,” recommended Matthew Bruh, physical education and health teacher at Hills.
Designate an area to work out
Next, designate an area to work out. For this, I would suggest a basement, garage, or deck. Make sure this space has lots of room to move and is clear of potential tripping hazards. Set some mats down to avoid hurting your elbows or back and you’re good to go! Personally, I enjoy working out in my garage and opening it when the weather is nice, but it varies from person to person so make sure to find something that works for you.
Sometimes, designing a workout can be hard, but the key is to figure out what part of your body you want to exercise and what you hope to achieve from the workout. Do you want to build muscle mass? Increase endurance and stamina? Become faster? All of these are important questions to ask before deciding on a specific workout.
“To stay active, I’m doing the softball workouts my coach is sending daily,” said Olivia Chin, cross-country runner and softball player. Chin is also a member of the Pascack Hills Student Athlete Advisory Council. “I’m also going on runs six days a week to get an early start on my ‘summer training’ for cross country.”
Create a list of exercises, or find them online
Once you have in mind what you want to work on, create a list of exercises, or search the web for workout videos to follow along to. If you decide to go the second path, remember that videos on the internet differ in quality. Find a reliable, verified workout instructor or gym and choose workouts that interest you and are at your skill level.
“There are a number of workout videos all over the internet and social media that are sport-related or just body-weight specific for people who do not have access to equipment. It isn’t easy to do and stay healthy, but it is definitely doable if you are creative and committed to it,” said Kirkby.
Improvise –– something is better than nothing
Another thing to keep in mind when deciding what workout to do is that although the people in the video might have access to the equipment you would find at a gym, you yourself probably don’t. If you don’t have kettlebells or dumbbells, improvise! Gallons of water, containers of laundry detergent, even a bag of rice –– all of these things can be found around the house and used to add weight to the workout if you desire.
One of the most imperative things about working out during quarantine is that something is better than nothing. Even if you don’t hit your goal, or only workout for a short period of time, doing a bit each day will build your stamina and endurance.
“My recommendation is to find a workout that you actually enjoy doing because then it doesn’t feel as much of a chore,” said Chin. “I find that running is the easiest for me because it allows me to go outside and enjoy the fresh air.”
Whether it’s running through the neighborhood, weightlifting in the garage, or your own creative exercise, it’s important to make sure to stay active and drink lots of water to support yourself during this tough time so you can come out the other side stronger than before.
Izzy Frangiosa is a senior who has been a part of the Trailblazer since her freshman year. Although she enjoys writing articles of all kinds, she is extremely excited to take over the Sports Editor position with Jacob Charnow. She's ready to bring her passion for athletics to the Trailblazer!
Fun fact: Frangiosa is an avid softball player and CrossFitter.
