During these tough times, staying healthy is more crucial than ever. In fact, research supports the positive impact of exercise on immunity. Even with lockdown placing constraints on movement outside one’s home, it is still possible to keep your physical fitness in check.
And the good news is you don’t need a lot of gym equipment to stay fit. With several workout apps and online videos at your disposal, working out with the guidance of an expert is more accessible than ever.
In this article, we share easy tips so you and your family can begin working out at home. And as always, consult your family doctor before starting on any exercise program. Moreover, take note of any family members with medical conditions that may be triggered by intense activity and share this information with your health provider.
Use home workout apps
One of the risks of working out on your own is injury due to wrong form. Without the guidance of an expert, bad form can slow down your progress at best and cause serious damage to joints and muscles at worst. As such, it is crucial to ensure your family is doing specific exercises the right way.
A good strategy for ensuring proper form is to use home workout apps that clearly demonstrate how to move properly. Apps such as Nike Training Club provide exercise programs for various fitness levels. While J&J’s 7-minute Workout gives you the benefit of working with a trainer by guiding users on correct form. Parents may also want to consider apps specifically designed for kids such as Sworkit Kid Workouts. On the other hand, if you and your family prefer to dance, you can try Just Dance Now.
Finally, high intensity workouts are not the only option for your family. Incorporating yoga into your routine is a great way to build flexibility as well as calm the mind amid these stressful times. From Vinyasa to Ashtanga, YogaGlo offers a variety of yoga styles taught by real yogis. Down Dog is especially suited for working out at home with routines that you and your family can easily do in your living room.
Alternatively, you can alternate yoga with a meditation session. Meditation’s science-based benefits include everything from stress reduction to better mental health, as well as improved attention span and memory loss prevention. Popular meditation apps include Headspace and its kid-friendly version, Headspace for Kids.
With a variety of apps at your disposal, the choices can be overwhelming. So be sure to check out user ratings and reviews to help you decide.
Embrace body weight exercises
While it is certainly fun to mix up your workout by using small equipment such as a kettlebell or medicine ball, your own bodyweight is just as effective in building strength and flexibility.
If the thought of doing burpees or squats seems daunting, you can easily modify any of these moves for beginner levels. In fact, both kids and adults can do bodyweight exercises. Don’t know where to start?
For toning the lower body, try lunges, squats, wall sits, and calf raises. For building core muscles, try planks (each family member can start at a reasonable time to hold a plank) and crunches. Push-ups can also strengthen the core in addition to building arm strength. As this is a more advanced move, you can modify this for kids by having them do push-ups from a higher angle.
Invest in space-saving home gym equipment
If you have sufficient space at home, you can put together your own gym. Treadmills are a fixture in any gym and thankfully, there are a variety of ultra-slim models that are especially designed for home use. These treadmills usually have a smaller footprint and have space-saving features that allow them to be folded when not in use. Check your local fitness store to inquire about readily-available models.
For weight training, include a set of adjustable dumbbells in your arsenal. In addition to not leveling up your routine, one of the most common mistakes people make is sticking to the same weight. Without increasing the weight despite your muscles adapting to the resistance, your progress may plateau. These dumbbells allow you to adjust the resistance as you build up your strength.
Get creative around the house
Rethink your definition of physical fitness. Staying healthy as a family can also be achieved through common activities that you are already doing at home. Going up and down the stairs is one way to get your steps in. So is taking a walk or running along your community’s jogging path or lawn and picnic areas, which is also a great way to naturally boost immunity from sunlight.
Household activities can also help you burn calories. Ask younger family members to help with age-appropriate chores such as tidying up one’s toys, assisting with meal prep or laundry, or even decorating their room. At a time when children are cooped up at home while distance learning, this is an opportunity to help them stay active, while imparting basic lessons on shared responsibility.
Working out as a family shouldn’t feel like a chore. It can be an opportunity to bond and have fun with each other while staying healthy.
Put your family’s wellness first with a home at Terreno South
Terreno South, Rockwell’s pioneer horizontal development in Batangas is an ideal place to build a home that encourages health and well-being. Nestled in historic Lipa City, Terreno South has plenty of space for your family to relax and move, including wide roads and pocket parks. Moreover, lush green spaces promote calm and allow your family to commune with nature.
Terreno South is strategically located near key locales. And with 46 hectares of land, you are sure to find an ideal lot on which to build your very own sanctuary.
Contact Rockwell to learn more about investing in Terreno South’s pre-selling residential lots.
