How to stay active at home

Stay motivated while exercising at home

It can be more difficult to stay motivated when you are working from home. Thankfully, when restrictions were imposed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fitness world was quick to react by offering virtual classes. What a perfect opportunity to try new fitness classes without the pressure of being watched! Take advantage of these classes, many of which are free and designed to require minimal equipment or no equipment.

A good way to stay motivated is to schedule physical activities into your workday. Try to alternate between strength and flexibility training (e.g. yoga, Pilates, Tai chi) and cardiovascular workouts (e.g. brisk walking or jogging, dance fitness, cycling, etc.).

5 tips for your home workouts

1. When exercising at home, make sure to clear enough floor space and to remove any carpets.
2. Always take the time to warm up gradually and cool down with gentle movements. This will help you improve flexibility and avoid injury.
3. Partner up with workmates to increase accountability. If competition motivates you, do a virtual workout challenge with your colleagues.
4. Set an alarm on your phone so you don’t forget to get moving.
5. If you have children at home, take a break from work to go play with them or to do some gardening together. Taking the dog for a walk is another great way to fit in your daily exercise.

Set a goal of at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, which you can break up into segments of 30 minutes or more. It’s so easy to take a quick walk at lunch, and you’ll find yourself more productive afterwards! By staying active, you’ll maintain or improve your overall health, which will help your body to fight infections.

As always, if you suffer from a chronic illness, consult your health professional before starting a new exercise program.