Jan 25, 2022
Gym Closed? Now What?
Alternatives to gym workouts
In my area, gyms were closed down because of the pandemic, and gym-goers had a lot to say about it.
The valid argument was that staying active is the best way to stay healthy. So how can one stay active when fitness centers and gyms are shutting down?
I completely understand the frustration of those people. I mean the camaraderie, friendly competition, proper equipment, and social aspect make the gym a fun place for some fitness enthusiasts to go.
But the gym isn’t the only place to stay active.
In situations like these, when gyms are not open, there are plenty of other ways to stay active.
Here are 5 viable alternatives to consider;
Workout at home
You might find your home the least motivating place to work out, and by now you’re sick and tired of staying at home — it’s been 2 years and a couple of months now.
This shouldn’t discourage you from trying out at-home workouts. You only need a space and yourself to benefit from its convenience as well as its cost-effectiveness. Even better, if you have access to home equipment or can afford to buy it, you can still work on your gains from home.
In order to stay motivated, I find setting a time for my home workouts helps me stay active.
Following a workout program is also a great way to keep motivated, and there are endless options for you. You can access free workouts on YouTube; beachbody.com is another site to work out to insanity and p90x. Another option is Peloton, which is all the rage now, and some of their workouts do not require equipment.
Even if you find that home workout isn’t appealing to you, perhaps because you live in a small space, have kids or pets who interfere with your workout time, try the great outdoors.
Outside
If you live in a warm climate, the great outdoors offers so many opportunities to work on your physical and mental health. It is also an excellent opportunity to break from your usual routine by incorporating walking, hiking, or running.
If running sounds less than enticing, Walking, which is often overlooked, is also a great way to keep in shape and improve your cardiovascular health.
Personally, I love hiking. Besides being a full-body workout, I also get to take in the beauty of nature and clear my mind.
Tennis, basketball, soccer, cycling, rollerskating, etc. offer endless possibilities to move your body in creative and fun ways.
If you are looking for a way of meeting like-minded people, outdoor fitness classes are being offered now more than ever before, such as outdoor yoga and Bootcamp workouts.
Bring your friends and family along or go alone and try an outdoor workout.
Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, and Trampolining
If the weather or some other factor prevents you from enjoying outdoor workouts fully, consider climbing, bouldering, and trampolining indoors.
These activities benefit your entire body. Your upper and lower body muscles will be toned, your flexibility will be improved, and your cardiovascular system will be challenged.
Indoor rock climbing especially requires focus and strategy if you want to make it to the top. Trampolining is a fun way to lose weight and keep fit. It requires coordination and balance.
Your aches will last for days after these activities and continuous practice will have you performing tricks and increasing your expertise.
Swimming
Swimming is another way to stay active.
Aside from being a fun and sociable activity, swimming is an excellent way to stay fit. It requires the use of your entire body against the resistance of the water, which makes it a great activity.
It builds endurance, keeps your heart rate up, builds strength, and keeps your lungs, heart, and weight healthy. As well as being beneficial to the entire body, it can also aid in stress alleviation.
Another fun way to stay active if you have a fear of swimming is boxing.
Boxing
Boxing is both an aerobic and strengthening workout. It gets the heart pumping and its movements like swinging the arms and crouching help build muscle strength in both the upper and lower body.
Additionally, it increases your endurance, improves your coordination and balance, and also relieves stress.
Final Thoughts
Staying active doesn’t have to mean going to the gym. In any case, there are a ton of options to stay active, the following are just a few.
Keep your body guessing by switching up your routine, trying new activities, and most importantly, having fun while doing it.
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