With the recent Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, going to the gym is not a decision many people are taking (if they’re even open). There are over 25 different types of bacteria on almost every piece of exercise equipment, and with the ever-increasing risk of getting sick with the coronavirus, the gym may be one place you need to avoid. Just because you can’t go to the gym doesn’t mean you can’t keep living a healthy lifestyle and exercising to keep your immune system strong and healthy to prevent illness! We have found the 10 FREE YouTube workouts that you can do from the comfort of your own home while you are socially distancing:
Yoga: The practice of yoga decreases stress, improves blood flow, and increases the levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells in the body. This helps more oxygen to reach body cells and enhance their overall function. It is a great way to nurture and care for your body, benefitting you physically, spiritually, and mentally. There are quite a few ways to practice yoga online and in the comfort of your own home. We found the perfect place for all levels to practice at ZERO cost!
Tai Chi: Commonly described as ‘slow-motion shadow kung fu’ tai chi is a wonderful way to care for your body. Regular tai chi practice can increase your flexibility, strength, and improve overall cardiovascular fitness. It emphasizes correct posture and instills a greater awareness of the body and how it moves. Dr. Paul Lam offers a FREE Lesson and introduction to Tai chi:
Pilates: Over 12 million people practice Pilates. It helps the body to improve flexibility, increase strength and tone muscles, and improves posture. It can be practiced in a variety of different ways, with a stability ball, a reformer, or even just your own body. If you are looking to do some self-care, release stress, and condition your body, we have found the perfect Pilates videos for you to follow along in the comfort of your own home!
HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training): HIIT exercises are one of the most efficient ways to build endurance and burn calories and fat in a shorter period of time. The workout involves short intervals of high-intensity exercises to give you the maximum benefits from your workout. If you only have about 15 minutes of time to exercise, following a HIIT regime will burn for calories in those 15 minutes than an hour of jogging. This site offers over 100 Full-body workouts at NO COST! Start your HIIT journey here.
Meditation: Our lives can be busy and full of stress, making it difficult to find time to escape into a moment of peace and quiet. Meditation is an ancient practice of achieving peace of mind. You can practice at home, alone or with the family. If you are ready to find a sense of serenity and inner calm, start here:
Shadow Boxing: Cardio is necessary to protect yourself from heart disease, burn calories, and improve overall body composition. Shadow boxing is one way to get the cardio you need while also decreasing stress, increasing endorphins, and improve sleep. It has also been proven to work as a more active form of meditation.
CrossFit: We have all heard of CrossFit, but you may have been too intimidated to sign up for a class and give it a try. Well now here is your chance! CrossFit is offering free exercise videos that you can follow along to in the comfort of your own home. The videos are sorted by workout and the only equipment you need is your own body (or some water jugs if you’re looking for a challenge).
Zumba: If you love music and think working out is a chore, Zumba is for you! Zumba is a workout that doesn’t feel like a workout, just a fun dance party that keeps you moving. It excels in burning fat and calories while giving you a full-body workout. It is an easy way to get yourself hooked on exercise and keep your body healthy. No matter your skill level, you can dance your way to a healthier life:
Calisthenics: Calisthenics is an exercise practice that relies purely on your own body weight for resistance. It is a great way to build muscle and can easily be done at home, no equipment required. Calisthenics is the most beneficial way to build up your body’s functional strength in a natural way. It also involves less stress on joints, realigning and strengthening them in the process.
Extend: These workouts are perfect for older generations or people with disabilities. It is a great way to have fun and exercise without the hard impact that accompanies high-intensity fitness routines. The whole practice is carried out using just a chair. You may think sitting down to workout can’t be a challenge, but the extend workouts can work you hard and help you feel the good burn.