With social distancing and self-quarantine part of our current reality, this is a great time to refresh your fitness and health regimen.
Whether you’re a cardio enthusiast, yoga devotee or beginner to exercise, here are some ideas to jumpstart your workouts and upgrade your health.
Get outside
With the temperature warming up and longer days, switch up your activities and enjoy the outdoors. Walking, running, biking, rollerblading — there’s no shortage of outdoor activities.
Train for a race
Whether you are just beginning to run or planning to train for a race — from a 5K to a marathon, this is the ideal time to start. Anytime you commit to working out is great, but there are so many perks of spring that make running more enjoyable and easier to stick with. Before putting on your sneakers and heading out, make sure you have the appropriate gear.
Do HIIT
HIIT, short for high-intensity interval training, is a technique in which you give all-out, 100% effort through quick, intense bursts of exercise, followed by short recovery periods. HIIT gets your heart rate up and burns more fat in less time.
According to studies, there are many benefits to this type of training such as increased aerobic capacity and endurance, muscle building and fat loss. Also, due to the short amount of time it takes, it’s perfect for those who have busy schedules. That being said, you don’t need to do HIIT workouts every day — just three to four days a week can be effective for most people.
Try restorative yoga
If you’ve ever done an Instagram search for yoga, you’re likely to find people holding some of the most unusual and challenging poses most people could probably never achieve.
Consider checking out a restorative yoga class to slow down your mind and body through passive stretching. In some restorative classes, you might not move all that much — it’s more about focusing on a few postures over the course of an hour and movement through mindfulness.
With busy schedules and lives — even while staying safer at home, this class might be just what you need at the end of your day.
Pilates Anytime
If you’re stretched for time between work and family, try downloading the Pilates Anytime app for less than $20 a month and practicing anytime, anywhere your schedule allows.
With a comprehensive list of classes for every fitness and intensity level, there’s something for everyone. The program offers everything from Mat Pilates to equipment-based classes like Reformers and Chair. Details: pilatesanytime.com
Cut down on the sugar
Chances are, you’ve heard about the negative effects of sugar on the body. Not only does excessive sugar consumption lead to weight gain and a risk of heart disease, studies show it can lead to a host of other health problems in the long term. Companies like Bougie Bakes offer organic, gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free and non-GMO cookies, brownies and scones made in small batches. Using high-quality ingredients, the snacks are meant to be small enough to satisfy a sweet tooth without going overboard. Details: bougiebakes.com
CBD for pain relief
No matter what your fitness regimen, you will want to check out Muscle MX, a preventative pain reliever that not only blocks any discomfort in the body after a strenuous workout or long day on the go, but also activates your body and makes sure to kick the pain away long before you train. The Restore CBD lotion ($44) targets pain and inflammation. Non-greasy yet moisturizing, it’s also perfect for treating blisters, minor cuts and scrapes while warding off infection. Details: musclemx.com
