20 Ideas to Stay Active During COVID
Whether you are a naturally active person or not, almost all of us have had a hard time keeping our activity levels up during COVID. With social distancing, working remotely, and people staying at home more in general, it is hard not to become more sedentary! We challenged our clients this week to do something active each day. You may not have the time, or the motivation, to do a full workout every single day, but you can probably find time to try one of these 20 Ideas to Stay Active During COVID.
Go for a hike
Try exploring someplace new! Pack a picnic lunch, grab your family, and make a day of it. It’s a great way to get your steps in and enjoy some fresh air. If you can’t convince your family to join you, it may be the perfect opportunity to enjoy some self-care and spend the time listening to a podcast or enjoying your favorite music.
Dance like no one is watching
It’s one of the most fun ways to get your heart rate pumping! Turn up the music and just dance. You don’t need treadmills and ellipticals to burn calories…you’ll be amazed at how many calories you can burn just dancing around your living room.
Unwind with yoga
Yoga a perfect way to build strength and increase flexibility - but even more important during this stressful time, it’s a perfect way to relax and unwind. Try to allow yourself time to end with some focused breathing and you will feel completely rejuvenated.
Play with kids at the playground
Adults aren’t the only ones living a more sedentary life, sadly our kids are seeing less activity as well. A great way to stay active and create family bonds is to join your children in actually “playing” at the playground. Find your inner child again!
Go for a 5-10 minute walk every hour
Staying active doesn’t have to be a big event. Try getting up from your chair every hour and walking around your block, going up and down the stairs a couple of times, or just walking around the inside of your house. It breaks up the monotony of sitting and it helps keep you moving!
Try paddleboarding or kayaking
If you’ve never tried paddleboarding or kayaking, it’s a great way to have some fun outdoors enjoying the beauty around you. Paddleboarding is a great workout for your core and balance too.
Go for a bike ride
Biking gets you outside in the fresh air! If you are fortunate enough to have nice bike trails you can enjoy nature and cover a lot of ground fast. Because you are already socially distanced when riding a bike, it’s a great activity to do with a friend too!
Jump rope
This may sound like torture, but doing intervals of jumping rope with walking is a great way to burn as many calories as a full workout. You could even keep the jump rope handy and every 15 or 30 minutes of working from home, do 100 jump ropes!
Play a round of golf
Golfing is a great activity to do with a friend since you are outside with plenty of room to socially distance. Just make sure you walk and skip the cart rental!
Rent a paddleboat
When was the last time you rented a paddleboat with your family? It always leads to tired legs and lots of laughs. It's a great way to get everyone outside and moving.
Do a stretching and foam rolling video
After your shower when your muscles are warmed up, try stretching and foam rolling. Keeping your mobility is just as important to your health as working out, and often neglected. Staying flexible is probably the best way to avoid injuries overall! (Here’s a great stretching video to walk you through a full-body stretch)
Take a walk around a garden or arboretum
My favorite places to walk are the Chicago Botanical Garden and the local arboretum. I love flowers and plants and could wander for hours and not even realize that I have walked miles!
Make your "date night" a stroll through town
Instead of a Netflix night, grab your special date and take a walk through your town’s downtown area, or explore a different town. Stop for a coffee or a hot tea and take your time wandering the streets looking at shops, houses, and perhaps even a walking trail.
Go for a horseback ride (you'll be surprised how much core you use)
My family did this summer and it was a lot of fun. You’ll be surprised how much core you use, and my legs were sore too! It’s a great way to create fun memories!
Try frisbee golf
If you don’t have a local frisbee golf area, just grab a frisbee and a friend, and head to the park! You will be chasing the frisbee and exercising without even realizing it!
A family game of volleyball
Nothing inspires a greater amount of physical effort than playing a game with your family. Rivalries kick in and you move faster than you knew was possible! No volleyball net, no problem! Any game will get you moving from basketball to kickball - the idea is to get outside and moving for a few hours.
Do a yardwork project
This is a great way to get outside exercising and tackle a project on your “to-do” list. Pick an outdoor project you’ve been wanting to accomplish and get to work. It’s one os the most satisfying ways to burn calories!
Take your dog for a long walk
We all take our dogs for quick walks, but when was the last time you went for a really long walk? You’ll get a benefit of both fresh air in your lungs, and sleepy pup that will let you relax when you get home. It’s a win-win scenario!
Try a game of tennis
Tennis is a great game you can do with a friend or family member. If you are new to the sport and would like to actually learn how to play the game, sign up for lessons through your local park district.
Try a workout from one of our CCK video libraries
There are tons of videos you can access for your “off days” - especially the videos with 30-minute options. If you aren’t a member we have tons of written workouts you can access here. Want to find out more about our CCK Video Workout Program - Check it out here.