The pandemic has made working from home a necessity. Many have returned to offices now but there are still a lot of people working remotely. But whether you work from home or in an office, it’s important to maintain fitness. Not only does it help keep you healthy and fit, it also reduces stress, gives you energy and increases productivity. If you’re unable to enroll in a gym like Blink Fitness, here are some ideas to help you keep your heart rate up and burn calories at home.
1. Start your day with 10 minutes of stretching.
This is something you can turn into a habit. The moment you wake up, take 10 minutes to stretch your neck, shoulders, back, arms, torso, legs and feet. There are Youtube videos you can find that give you stretching exercises that you can easily do from your bed.
2. Plank before you sit at your desk.
Here’s another habit you should have – planking. Simply move your chair to one side so you’ll have a bit of space to lay down. Go down to plank position – start with 30 seconds and gradually increase the duration as you get stronger.
3. While sitting, do some leg lifts.
All you have to do is lift your legs off the floor, straighten and hold for 10 seconds at a time. Do at least 3 sets of 12 reps per day.
4. Run in place.
Cardio is important to get your heart pumping so you can stay energized and burn calories at the same time. Just do a 2 minute run beside your desk every hour.
5. Enroll in an online yoga class.
Don’t have the time to go to a yoga studio? No problem. There are online yoga sessions you can enroll in and these things are inexpensive. Some are even free. You can do yoga 2-3x a week for improved balance and flexibility.
6. Do a solo dance party.
Joining a Zumba class in your local fitness center is fun but if you’re strapped for time, you can have a solo dance party first thing in the morning. You just need to play your favorite upbeat song on and get your heart rate up. Even 15 minutes of dancing a day can do wonders to your health.
7. Invest in a spin bike.
Get a stationary bike that you can use for a good “spin” workout at home. You can use it whenever you’re in a, that way you can exercise and work at the same time.
8. Try a jump rope workout.
A skipping rope can give you a good cardio workout and it’s very cheap too. Do bursts of skips – 20, 30 or even 50 at a time.
9. Consider ‘walking meetings.’
Every time you are due to take a meeting either through Zoom, Skype or over the phone, walk while you talk. Keep walking throughout the entire duration of the meeting in and around your house. Not only will this help you burn calories, it also allows you to think clearly.
10. Wear your workout clothes.
Unless you’re required to be on video calls, you might as well wear your workout clothes so it’ll be easier for you to exercise anytime.
Here’s a really good jump rope workout you can try: