Staying Fit During Quarantine
COVID-19 is changing the way we exercise.
We are living in a brand new world due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Our daily routines have been disrupted. We are condemned to practice social distancing, our favorite restaurants, shops, salons, and gyms are closed, and the world we once knew seems like a fairytale. Staying inside is the new normal.
According to the CDC, the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air, and quickly fall on floors or surfaces. You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within close proximity of someone who has COVID-19, or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose or mouth.
Starting at midnight, March 20, Texas Gov. Greg Abbot declared a public health disaster in the state of Texas. This resulted in statewide closures of restaurants, bars, schools, gyms, nursing homes, and retirement centers.
Unfortunately, this means our usual spin class and trips to the gym are longer an option. Gyms and workout studios are a breeding place for this virus. With multiple people using the same gym machinery each day, it’s uncertain how many people have been exposed to the virus, and how many people could get sick by doing something that is normally considered healthy. Therefore, gyms and workout studios have been forced to close until further notice. But this is not an excuse to stop exercising.
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends 150–300 minutes per week of aerobic physical activity on top of two sessions per week of strength training. According to exerciseismedicine.org, moderate physical activity can actually boost your immune system. In a time where the strength of one’s immune system is important, health experts encourage citizens to get the exercise they need.
Luckily, with the rise of social media and technology, exercising from home has never been easier. There are plenty of online apps and tools available to sweat in the comfort of your own home. On the other hand, while customers are unable to attend their favorite workout studios, it is important to support them so that when we are allowed to go back to our normal routine, these places are still in business.
How Gyms and Workout Studios are Coping:
With the closure of gyms and workout studios, owners of these facilities are unable to make an income through people coming in for classes. However, many have adopted other tactics in order to keep their businesses alive.
The Pilates Barre decided that if people can’t come in and use their pilates machine, they might as well rent them out. The agreement requires a $1000 deposit, on top of a $300 a month payment with a 12 month rental agreement. Additionally, the machine must be returned in “like new” condition. While this seems pricey, the machines sold out at all four locations and there is now a waitlist.
Pure Barre is encouraging its customers to purchase gift cards that can be used when the studio re-opens. This way, Pure Barre is still able to make money for rent and employee’s paychecks at a time when they are unable to make money from hosting workout classes.
Barry’s Bootcamp is not just a workout studio. The walls of Barry’s are always filled with trendy workout wear and accessories. Because customers are unable to come in for a class and grab a new workout outfit, Barry’s put much of their merchandise on sale on their website. Additionally, the workout equipment such as bands and benches are also available for sale. This way, they are able to make some form of an income while closed due to COVID-19.
Dallas Studios Offering Virtual Workouts:
Our favorite Dallas workout studios can be accessed in the palm of our hands. Since the closing of all gyms and workout studios at midnight Friday, March 20, many workout studios have moved online in order to cater to the needs of regular consumers and spread awareness on the importance of staying active during quarantine.
The Pilates Barre and One Lagree have taken their classes to Instagram. For free, anyone is able to access at home workouts. Often, these studios will go live, so check their website and Instagram accounts to find out when to tune in!
Caulfield’s Dance Fitness, Dallas’s dance-cardio workout studio is streaming free classes on YouTube. While you can stream the classes for free, you can still support Caulfield’s by making a donation on venmo @caulfeildsdancefit.
CorePower’s “Keep Up Your Practice” program is providing free yoga classes to everyone each week. Plus, users can subscribe for $19.99 a month, in order to gain access to 250+ yoga classes.
Free Exercise Apps:
If you don’t have a go-to workout studio in Dallas offering online workout programs, there are plenty of apps to cater all exercise needs.
FitOn is a free — no in app purchase necessary — app for at home exercise. The app features workouts across all disciplines such as HIIT or yoga. Plus, the app allows you to search for workouts based on the part of the body you wish to work on. Download here.
Fitbod is a great fitness app if you are trying to get stronger. The personalized app focuses on one’s strengths and weaknesses by collecting data on current fitness level and fitness goals. In order to help the user attain those goals, each workout gets tougher and tougher, while still personalized enough so the user does not burn out. Download here.
Tone it Up offers exercise programs as well as on demand workout videos. The workouts are categorized by workout type as well as the users mood. Not motivated? Check out one of Tone it Up’s “Energy Boost” workouts! Download here.
Improvise Equipment:
With the entire country on lockdown, many people have begun purchasing essential items in order to work out in the comfort of their homes. However, this means that dumbell weights, yoga mats, resistance bands, and other exercise equipment are sold out. Here’s some household appliances that can be used.
No mat? No problem. Lay two towels on top of each other and you’ll have the perfect amount of cushion to perform any at-home exercise.
There are plenty of household items that can be used as weights. Look no further than laundry detergent and wine bottles. On average, a full laundry detergent bottle can weigh up to 8.5 pounds. Look for household items with handles or a similar shape as weights to improvise.
While not all of us can afford to have an at home gym, there are plenty of ways to use what we do have to get exercise. With the absence of a stair-master, try running up and down the stairs in your home or apartment building. You’ll get the same workout in the comfort of your own home. If you have a home, you have walls. These walls can be incorporated into daily workouts. Use the walls to complete wall sits to work out your thighs.
How SMU Students are Staying Fit:
With the SMU campus closed, this means the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports is closed too. However, in an email, the Dedman Center stated that they, “would like to encourage you to continue your pursuit of healthy life-styles.” SMU senior, Courtenay Lowe is doing just that.
“OVERALL, IT’S JUST BEEN LEARNING HOW TO USE YOUR RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY IN ORDER TO MAKE EVERYTHING WORK AND TO BE CREATIVE. GOING FORWARD THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE AND IT’S NOT ALL GOING TO BE THE SAME SO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ADAPT TO HOW WORKOUTS ARE CHANGING AND WHAT STUDIOS ARE DOING,” LOWE STATED.
