More than two months into self-isolation, with gym openings on the horizon, and I’m finally writing about this: fitness during self-isolation. What has it been like for you? Are you feeling more motivated or less so?
I’ve been sharing lots of thoughts and tips on Instagram throughout this whole thing, and I’m going to pull some of them together for you here.
It’s Okay to Lose Progress
I say it all the time: fitness isn’t a straight line. You will be more fit, then less fit. It happens even in the best of times, so it’s not unreasonable to experience it during a global pandemic—and not just because your gym is closed.
It’s not the end of the world. When you get back to your normal fitness routine, you’ll regain those gains and then some. You have the advantage of a body that remembers what it’s like to be there, and it will get there again.
But…
Losing Progress Isn’t Inevitable
It’s possible to get or stay in great shape from your living room, even if you don’t have a lot of equipment. I’m at my brother’s house now, where he has adjustable dumbbells (up to 25 lbs each), two small medicine balls, a 15-lb kettlebell, and a treadmill. But until a couple of weeks ago, I was making do with a 35-lb kettlebell and a few resistance bands.
True, for a lot of people, it’s a lot harder to make it happen by yourself—that’s why we love the gym or the studio. I’d rather be working out at the studio, too. But over the years, I’ve developed the discipline to make myself workout at home when necessary. And you can do that, too.
I’m not in my best shape ever, but I’m happy with what I’ve done during this time away from the gym. I improved my outdoor running, which I hadn’t been doing much of in the months leading up to the virus, and I ran my fastest-ever outdoor mile: 6:31.
I’ve also used the opportunity to try new things. Most of my workouts have been the daily Orangetheory At Home, but I’ve also tried a handful of workouts for the first time, like RISE from Freedom Group Exercise and Les Mills GRIT. I did some old-school kickboxing, which I love. And I’ve gotten back into outdoor running.
Focus on the Good
What has been great about your fitness life without the gym? For me, it’s this:
- Variety (like I mentioned above)
- Saving time by not having to drive to the studio, wait the 5-10 minutes for class to start, then drive home
- Working out when it works for me rather than watching the clock and adapting my schedule to make sure I arrive in time for class to start. If I’m having a good writing day, I don’t interrupt it for a workout—I work out when I’m done. And I enjoy that freedom.
- My wrists and elbows are feeling SO much better. I’ve still been working out daily (minus a rest day every week), but I haven’t been using such heavy weights, and I haven’t had to demonstrate exercises and carry those heavy weights around for other people or while cleaning. It’s been enough of a break that I’ve made some space for healing, and I’m so grateful for that.
Furthermore, I feel better when I workout. My routine of fitness during self-isolation has given me structure and helped me stay connected to my former co-workers and studio members. Even though the workouts are different than what I would do in the studio, they still make me feel great. I don’t want to lose that, even if I have lost some strength since everything closed down.
Try Something New
Circling back to this again. I’m partial to Orangetheory right now, but that’s only as of the last couple of years. Prior to that, I was partial to other things.
There are a lot of ways to move your body, and you’ll naturally be drawn to some more than others. That’s okay, and it’s also okay to let those interests change. Exposing yourself to new fitness formats gives you a chance to find out what works best for you.
It also keeps you humble and helps you appreciate what others are doing for their fitness. I can’t tell you how many times someone has said how easy they thought yoga, pilates, or barre classes were—until they actually tried them.
Get Back on Track
We all had different circumstances during these couple of months, as we will going forward. Some of us were sick. Some of us lost lost loved ones. Some of us struggled financially, and maybe still are. Some of us lost jobs, and some of those jobs won’t come back.
Your health matters, so yes, fitness matters, even now. That doesn’t mean keeping up your fitness during self-isolation needs to be your #1 priority if you’re dealing with countless other concerns. Maybe you haven’t worked out at all since you started self-isolating. But you’ll feel better if you do.
This isn’t about coming out of quarantine with a rockin’ body. It’s about taking care of your physical and mental health.
If you’re looking to change your relationship with exercise, especially now as you learn to workout alone if you’re used to working out in a group or in the gym, check out my new ebook (affiliate). It’s a quick read, and if even one or two of the short chapters resonate with you, it’ll make a difference in your fitness life.
What have you been doing for fitness during self-isolation?