In a brand new world, when all of our habits and norms have been disrupted, there is no better time to establish and develop some fun and unique ways to maintain our weight loss goals. With the spread of the coronavirus, all of our favorite gyms, yoga studios, and fitness centers have been forced to close their doors for the unforeseeable future. Lucky for us, the majority of the fitness facilities out there have quickly compensated for closures by making their content available for online streaming.
Maintaining and Creating a Virtual Workout Community
I don’t know about you, but working out in community has been one of my biggest motivators in regard to staying on track with my daily workouts. Seeing the same, welcoming and encouraging faces at Burn Bootcamp is what has kept me going to their gyms for over the past year and a half, and I miss my peeps! But guess what, not only have we found a way to connect online and participate in some of the same classes together, I have virtually “met” some new people from all over the US that have the same fitness goals and drive that I do. When this all began, I never would have dreamt that I would be able to “workout” with some of my favorite people, and certainly would not have thought meeting new accountability buddies would be a possibility! Thanks to facebook groups created in order to bond Burn Bootcampers, and Zoom calls hosted by my favorite yoga instructors at our local studio, I feel like I have been able to avoid the potential “workout paralysis” that can so easily occur during times of social isolation.
Recruit your live-in family members to workout with you, or FaceTime with a friend to partner up on your routines.
Tips and Tricks for Creating and Maintaining a New Workout Routine
- Establish a weekly workout schedule. Despite the social restrictions, pick a time each day that you can commit to getting in a 20-30 minute workout in, and stick to it!
- Journal your progress. Even if your workouts are a little non-traditional, continue to use your favorite app to log your workouts (we suggest MyFitnessPal or the Lose It app). Seeing your progress will keep you going!
- Recruit members of your household to join you for your virtual workouts
- Get creative….we all are still able to get outdoors during this time. Break out that old bike in your garage. Pull out and dust off the tennis rackets.
- Make a list with your family of fun, physical activities that you can do together and select something different every day.
- Take a walk with a friend or family member via FaceTime.
- Ensure you are consuming at least 8, 8 ounce glasses of water per day to keep your body hydrated.
- Remember that once you make a poor nutrition choice in your day, it is very unlikely that you will be motivated to get your workout in. Keep your diet clean and follow V-Lean!
Free Online Workouts During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Burn Bootcamp
Burn Bootcamp offers 45 minute virtual workouts via their YouTube channel. Workouts include weight routines (using everyday items you can find around your house), Body Rock (which is dance based cardio), and body-weight style cardio. They also offer kids bootcamps two days a week, which always means fun for the whole family!
Orangetheory
Orangetheory is sharing a new 30-minute workout video each day, featuring some of their most popular coaches from around the world. The workouts don’t require any special equipment.
Peloton
I have to tell you, Peloton has become my jam! And surprisingly, before virtual workouts were a necessity. Stephen purchased a Peloton bike for me for my birthday in November, and I have fallen in love with not only the bike, but all of the other amazing workouts their app has to offer! Yoga, dance classes, outdoor runs, just to name a few. The app shows you a list of other members that are doing the same workout at the same time you are, so there is a great sense of community (and competition if that’s your thing), and the coaches give shoutouts to members throughout the classes.
Right now, Peloton is offering 90-days FREE to use their app! All you need to get started is a workout mat and a bottle or two of water….and trust me, you will need the water!
Gold’s Gym
Gold’s Gym is offering a variety of virtual workouts for free through the end of May. The Gold’s Gym app offers over 600 audio and video workouts.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness is live streaming “work ins” at 7pm every evening on Facebook. All workouts are 20 minutes and will be led by celebrity guests, in addition to members of the Planet Fitness training team.
YMCA
The YMCA has been a staple in the fitness world for many years and is very near and dear to our family. They have launched a program called YMCA 360, which includes barre classes, bootcamp style workouts, yoga, and more, “to support the health and well-being of everyone staying at home.” You do not have to be a member of the YMCA to enjoy these exercises courses.
Melting Point Hot Yoga
Melting Point is one of my FAVORITE yoga studios in the Lake Norman area, so I was incredibly grateful that they are offering free online access to their classes now through April 5th. As off-center as most of us are feeling right now, yoga can help yogis of all levels find their balance and calm through this storm.
We all have the potential right now to throw our progress out the window and revert to our old, comforting habits that are not conducive to becoming our best selves. But you and your health goals ARE worth the fight! Establishing new habits and routines through this storm has been made so much easier with the free resources available to all of us. The choice is yours each day to stay on track, get back on track, or start a new track. When we all come out of this on the other side, we have the potential to be stronger, healthier, and happier versions of ourselves. Stay the strong course and conquer! If we consider this social isolation a true opportunity for self improvement, we can thrive through this instead of just surviving.