5 Exercises You Can do Right Now to Stay Physically Active During Quarantine

April 24, 2020

With COVID-19 updates flooding newsfeeds and social media, stress is at an all-time high for many people right now. And with roughly 46% of people reporting that they ate too much or at unhealthily as a result of stress, the need for physical activity is more apparent now than ever. But how can you stay physically active and meet your weight loss goals while you're stuck at home? These five types of exercise might be able to help you out.

Yoga

Not only is yoga an excellent way to get yourself in shape, it's also an exercise in mindfulness and meditation. So if you're looking for a workout routine that provides a little bit of physical intensity and soothes your troubled mind, yoga could be the perfect option for you. In addition, you'll have the opportunity to work on your flexibility and balance. And the best part? If you live on the second floor, your downstairs neighbors won't hear a thing since there's no jumping or high-intensity cardio involved. If you've never done yoga before, try looking up a video guide for a beginner's routine.

Pilates

This type of exercise is already popular with at-home workout audiences because there are so many online resources available. While it's similar to yoga in some ways, the key focus here is on improving core strength, posture, and targeting specific muscle groups. There are a few different forms of pilates -- some instructors compile high-intensity sets of movements to popular music and some may stick to more traditional pilates routines. Overall, this is an excellent exercise option for beginners.

Weight Training

Even if you don't have a set of weights at home, it's possible to complete a bit of weight training with everyday objects. For instance, you may not have five-pound dumbells, but two five-pound bags of rice or two bags filled with five pounds of books each can provide a perfectly fine substitute. As long as you can determine an accurate weight for your substitute, you can perform just about any weight training exercise you could do with dumbells. And if you're really stuck for options, consider doing body-weight exercises.

HIIT Workouts

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an extremely effective workout program if your goal is weight loss. This type of exercise combines strength and balancing movements with high-intensity cardio. The combination of these two different types of exercises is ideal for fat burning and typically only takes about 20-30 minutes of your day.

Workout Games

Now more than ever, people are turning to video games to escape reality for a little while. And thanks to developers all over the world, there are plenty of fitness-based games for the whole family to get involved in. From dancing games to interactive adventure games, there's something for everyone. And if you only have 10 minutes to exercise, a quick dance routine might be the perfect opportunity to keep up with your weight loss goals.

Whether your goal is to maintain optimal heart health or lose a little weight, the benefits of staying physically active during quarantine are nearly limitless. Try out one of these exercise methods today and keep your fitness journey going.