Working from home?… Keep moving

The past eighteen months have seen many of us change our usual routines and the same goes for our workouts. 

For many, the fear of not being able to continue with their training regime and undoing all the progress they made was very real.  

Our exercise plans were forced to change and for many of us, continuing to work from home and maintaining an active lifestyle is the new normal. 

Online workouts

Social media has an array of pocket PT’s providing free, fun live online workouts to keep you both active. Their monthly challenges and IGTV lives keep you accountable and many have recently brought out their own fitness apps with workout plans to use at home or in the gym. 

Gym’s and small independent fitness brands moved online during the pandemic, providing free or cheap classes live online - many now have an archive for you to re-visit. 

Social media fitness accounts to check out for free online workouts: 

• Courtney Black
• Bradley Simmonds
• Alice Liveing 
• Tyrone Brennand (bethefittest)
• Shreddy
• Yoga with Adriene
• Les Mills

Invest in at-home gym equipment 

If you want to continue working out from home, investing in some gym equipment will allow you to maintain your progress and try a variety of different online classes. 

Prices soared whilst many were stocking up on dumbbells and yoga mats at the beginning of the pandemic, but do your research and now you’ll find some great equipment at a more reasonable price (Decathlon and Amazon could be a good place to start.) 

Got a bit more cash to spend? Investing in a Peloton provides hours of cycling or running at home to a multitude of classes via their app (you can also use the app without any equipment.) 

Don’t underestimate the power of walking

In addition to being great for your mental health, getting outside for some fresh air and to stretch your legs can provide a break from work and the perfect form of low impact activity. 

Aim for 10,000 steps a day to maintain your progress (dependant on your goals). 

Small changes can make all the difference 

1. Set a timer on your phone to make sure you stand up every hour and walk around or stretch. 
2. Find ways to fit in some extra movement for example walk around whilst you’re on the phone. 
3. Invest in a standing desk to work from. 
4. Use your daily dose of fresh air to fit in a walk or run. 
5. Try and walk (where you can) rather than driving or using public transport. 
6. Offer to walk your friend or family dog to get in some additional steps.