Indoor Exercise
Stuck at home? Don't have time to go outside. No worries because exercising
indoors has great benefits to them.
Benefits
Outdoor workouts are associated with many emotional, psychological, and physiological benefits (Lahart, 2019). Often, outdoor conditions are not ideal such as extreme heat/cold, pollution, and lack of space may make it difficult to workout outdoors. The threat of catching COVID-19 has also deterred many from exercising outside. Indoor exercise allows for a controlled environment and can be just as effective when implemented properly. While outdoor exercise benefits can be substantial, we can get similar results indoors by the type of entertainment we view while exercising. An indoor treadmill study found when participants chose their own entertainment it was associated with increased speed, distance, and average heart rate. Nature environment entertainment demonstrated a relationship with higher happiness and motivation whether it was a static or dynamic picture (Yeh, 2017). Using this strategy allows us to get similar benefits from outdoor exercise but in the safety and comfort of being indoors. Working out indoors does not have to be a permanent substitute to outdoor exercise. We can alternate exercise locations depending on the season and COVID-19 developments while maintaining fitness levels and indoor workouts allow us to safely condition our bodies before going out into the environment.
Indoor Gyms
Gyms have existed for countless years as indoor centers allowing for various types of exercise in a safe space. The convenience and accessibility of gyms from having all types of equipment to being in various locations has allowed people to exercise more and has its own benefits. Attending gyms may put people in a mindset that gives them more energy and motivation. Studies have shown that attending group fitness classes can lower stress levels and increase positive emotions (Yorks, 2017). The COVID-19 outbreak has changed many aspects of our lives and gyms are no different. Gyms are either closed in some states or have limited hours and group activities which may deter people from going. For those who prefer total social distancing or experiencing financial hardships, working out at home is a great option. Despite this many gyms are taking precautions and trying to maintain appropriate social distancing standards which should also be considered.
Home Workouts
Exercising in the comfort of one’s home is a safe alternative particularly during the uncertainty with COVID-19. Working out at home allows people to exercise on their own time, picking your own entertainment, and setting up a comfortable constant environment. While exercising at home takes away the pressure of working out in front of others, some may think that it is not as worthwhile as working out in a gym or outdoors. Many people may not have the proper equipment at home and think they cannot get a good workout in, but this is not true. There are many body weight exercises which often can be better than some exercise machines. These body weight exercises can be done without equipment or they might require common household items. Yoga is also another alternative and there are also HIIT programs for cardio that can be performed at home. Long term and acute studies have shown that even a little extra exercise significantly reduces cardiovascular problems and mortality rates (Dohrn, 2018). Knowing this, working out at home is very safe and has many benefits but the biggest challenge is to maintain motivation to continue exercise. Exercise has many benefits both physiologically and psychological which can help us maintain a healthy body and mind during the COVID-19 outbreak. This can be accomplished at home without having to be exposed to strangers.
