Home Exercise: How to Stay Fit During Quarantine

Written by Alyssa Orcuilo and Jacqueline Slobin

Exercising on a regular basis comes with many benefits in terms of physical and mental health. Exercise can boost your mood and strengthen your immune system. Consistent exercise also can help you maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle, relieve stress, and decrease your risk of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. 
 

With some gyms closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it can become especially difficult to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. In this article, we will provide some guidelines for exercising during the COVID-19 pandemic, resources for free workout classes, and ways to make your daily routine more active! We will also provide a guide to staying safe at the gym. 
 

What Exercise Is Best for You? 

As a general goal, healthy adults should aim to get 30 minutes of exercise a day. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends these exercise guidelines:

Aerobic activity: 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity is beneficial to your health. The guidelines suggest that you spread out this exercise during the course of a week. Activity for even small amounts of time throughout the day is even beneficial. Aerobic exercise isn‚t just running but includes cycling, walking, swimming, dancing, and kickboxing too. 

Strength training: It‚s recommended to train all muscle groups at least twice a week. A single set of each exercise is beneficial and using a weight or resistance level heavy enough to tire your muscles after about 12 to 15 repetitions.

If you have any underlying conditions or any health conditions in general, be sure to consult your doctor before attempting any exercise.