With everybody stuck at home during the lockdown, a lot of people have pledged to come out of the lockdown fitter. The internet is buzzing with home workout routines that you can easily follow. However, with all the panic and anxiety that comes with the lockdown, it might be hard for a lot of people to actually keep up with their workout routines. You should instead focus on fulfilling the minimum amount of exercise you need to stay fit and healthy and ready to fight the illness. Here is the minimum amount of exercise you need to keep yourself going this lockdown.
Exercise for at least 2-3 hours a week
It is advisable to be able to complete a minimum of two and a half hours of moderate exercise and one a half hours of intensive exercise per week. It is also advisable to add muscle strengthening exercises for at least two days a week. Reducing the amount of time spent sitting and instead, engaging yourself in house chores will also lend itself to help you maintain your health.
Think beyond only jogging
Now is the best time to rethink your high-intensity workout given that you cannot attend that favourite Zumba class given the lockdown. Spending a few minutes on the treadmill is one option, however, there are a lot of other things you can do to get the heart rate up. You can head to the nearby park for a jog. However, remember to keep a distance from your fellow joggers. Interval training is another way to add a bit of extra challenge. A two minute on – two minutes off using a stopwatch is a good way to ramp up your workout. A simple run can be made harder by running up a slope or running up and down the stairs for 10 minutes.
Plan more moderate-intensity exercise
You might need to add 10 minutes of moderate workout to your routine. Moderate intensity workouts require a little less effort than high-intensity ones. Brisk walking, cycling and dancing are a few moderate workouts that you can try this lockdown. Now might be the time to keep a check and pay extra attention to that pedometer or fitness tracker. Getting a few extra steps in, even if it is while doing household work, can go a long way in getting you a step closer to your fitness goal.
Try short bursts through the day
A sixty-minute workout at one stretch can seem intimidating for many. Instead, try adding short bursts of exercise throughout the day. Rather than waiting for a particular time of the day, try getting up every hour, taking a break and spending that time doing short and easy exercises. You have the option of doing a few yoga stretches during this time.