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Sweat w/ Sarah: Ways to Spice Up Your Home Workout
I am probably not the only person who is getting a little bored with my home workouts... one can only do so many push-ups and high knees. But at the same time, I know that incorporating at least a few minutes of movement into my day always makes me feel less anxious. So without further ado, here are a few ways that I've been spicing up my home workout routine in order to make exercise something I look forward to rather than something I dread.
Make it a date - For those of you who are self-isolating with others, get them involved in your workouts. And if you live alone like me, do a FaceTime workout with a friend. Having others around not only holds you accountable, but also makes the time go by faster.
Add resistance - Prior to the stay-at-home order and gym closings, the only workout equipment I had was a yoga mat. While I love some good body-weight exercises, I still want to work towards my goal of getting stronger even when I cannot get to the gym. There seems to be a dumbbell shortage on every fitness website, but I have found that resistance bands are widely available (I ordered mine on Amazon for a decent price). Resistance bands take up almost no space and serve as a great way to increase the difficulty of your workout.
Blast your favorite playlist/TV show - One of the best things about not being in a gym surrounded by other people is that you can ditch your headphones and freely listen to whatever keeps you occupied throughout your workout. I personally like to create playlists with my favorite songs so that I am distracted by singing along.
Experiment with different workout videos/apps - This is great for those of you who prefer taking classes and/or having an instructor guide you through a workout. Thanks to YouTube, there are tons of free videos you can follow that will add some variety to your usual routine. Just remember that engaging in another person's program does not necessarily mean you will see the same results, and that is okay!
Take it outside - If you have a front yard, balcony, or even a nearby park (be safe with this one, of course), lay a mat or towel down and start your workout. Now that the weather is getting nicer, you might as well take advantage when possible. I tend to feel extra satisfied when I change my scenery, especially when it involves fresh air.
I know these tips aren't groundbreaking, but I will say that they have motivated me to keep moving even on days when I feel lethargic. With that said, it is still necessary to listen to your body and take days off. I hope this helps at least a little. If nothing else, I encourage you to move if/when you are able in ways that make you feel good.
Check out this full-body workout you can do from home (created by myself)!
-Sarah Druckman: Sarah is a senior at George Washington University studying Exercise Science with minors in Dance and Psychology. When she's not studying, you can find her teaching fitness classes, working as a Physical Therapy Tech, or milling about the GW campus (pre-COVID19 of course).