Quarantraining - how I’m staying fit during lockdown!

Pole studio - closed

Gym - closed
Outdoor sports equipment - closed

How are we supposed to train?! That's the question that's been on everyone's lips during these crazy coronavirus times. If there's one thing social distancing has taught us is just how resilient we are. So many people have adjusted their training regimens to accommodate all the rules and guidelines in their respective countries. 

Of course that's not to say you have to train in lockdown, if you want to stay in your pj's and eat ice cream in bed all day then you do you boo. But for a lot of people, me included, I do not want to regress in terms of my fitness. As soon as the pole studio reopens I want to be getting stuck right in trying all the crazy fun tricks and throwing myself around. In order to do that I've actually probably been more active than I am under normal circumstances. I even lost 7lb since we started isolating! So here's some of my tips/ tricks/ recommendations for how...

- Online Classes - SO many people have taken the plunge and begun teaching classes online (not to ignore the many people who already were doing this too of course!). Whether you're looking for Yoga, HIIT workouts, dance classes or even online personal training, you can find it online. I personally have been taking most of my classes on Zoom with my usual pole instructors from my local studio, however with classes being online it has opened my eyes to a whole new world of classes with people who I've been desperate to learn from but haven't had the opportunity. There are also countless classes on IG Live, which again has given me the chance to take classes from places I just can't get to on a regular basis (i.e. the super instagrammable places in Toronto...) BUT there is one drawback. On IG Live, the teacher cannot see you, meaning they can't correct you if you're doing something wrong, which is where zoom takes the prize. Having that feedback is invaluable, and also takes away some of that risk of injury!

- Fitness Apps - now of course, fitness apps were around long before the 'rona, but with all the gyms closed, these apps have been a god send for me, and for the first time ever I've actually had the motivation to use them! I personally enjoy the 30 Day Fitness app, I use the free version and will often do several workouts in one go from the different programs offered. However there are so many other options out there, and most of them do have the option of a free trial before you have to subscribe, so do be sure to take advantage of those! (If you don't like it, just make sure you remember to cancel before the payment gets taken!) Of course this has a similar drawback to IG Live classes - you get no feedback, so do be sure to take them at your own pace and don't do things if you aren't sure or if it feels wrong.

- Home Pole - I am fully aware that not everyone does pole, and if you do you may not have a home pole. BUT if you are lucky enough like I am I borrowed mine from a friend - she's a lifesaver!!) then you can of course continue your pole training to some degree. Most people, me included, have very limited space/ height in their home pole set ups, so you're not necessarily able to train to the same level, but if that's the case for you then now is the time to Train. Your. Basics. And train your bad side (yes we all have one, but just think how much less embarrassing it will be to fail on your bad side when nobody else can see you!) So get that conditioning done, train your inverts, train your shoulder mounts, deadlifts, different grips....whatever you can still do within your limits - obviously you still need to be safe. If you can't do a trick or don't know where to start, now probably isn't the time to be trying it when you have nobody trained to spot you if you fall!

- Home Gym Equipment - Before the lockdown hit, I had the foresight to get some basic gym equipment to use at home, and I'm glad I did! (I know a lot were sold out the first few weeks but they're slowly coming back into stock now, at least they are in Canada - I will link whatever I can find that’s in stock/ similar). I bought 2 fairly lightweight dumbbells, a door mounted suspension trainer, an ab wheel, some floor sliders and I'm still waiting on my new jump rope to arrive. I also already had several resistance bands and yoga straps/ blocks in my arsenal, and all of this has been a life saver. Even when I'm working from home I'm able to go and grab a dumbbell and do some quick exercises, get my blood pumping and actually give myself a bit of a jump start to my productivity if I'm having a lull. With the equipment I have, I can actually achieve a pretty good workout!

- Get Outdoors - now I know the rules are different for people in different countries, but if you can get outside and get some fresh air/ exercise whilst staying safe and maintaining social distancing and sticking to the rules defined by your government then I can't recommend it enough. As someone who is working from home, my regular outdoor exercise is my saving grace - I am starting to get cabin fever staring at the same space ALL DAY EVERY DAY. I even went out for a run today (for the first time since I moved to Canada....almost 2 years ago...) 

I hope my tips help you, maybe they give you motivation to get moving, or maybe they simply affirm that your lazy days are exactly how you want to be spending your lockdown! If you want any specific recommendations for online classes, apps or other resources then feel free to hit me up :)

Lauren xo