Yoga, indoor work-outs replace morning walks, almost
WHERE THERE’S WILL… Many fitness enthusiasts, whose routine got affected following the lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to contain Covid-19 spread, have opted for different ways to keep their fitness routine intact.
LUCKNOW: ‘Go out for a walk and you will be booked’—the directive issued during lockdown affected Rakesh Kapoor, a businessman in his 60s, the most. But it couldn’t stop Kapoor, who hasn’t skipped his morning walk in the past 11 years, from following his fitness routine even while staying indoors.
Kapoor, who is popular among the morning walkers who visit Lohia Park in Chowk, said he not only found indoor exercises effective but also shed some extra pounds. “I think one can remain healthy and fit even while staying indoors. The mantra is to do exercises daily and ensure intake of only healthy meals,” he said.
“Initially it was tough as I love morning walk which was a daily routine. But after almost a week, I got used to the yoga routine,” said Kapoor. He starts his day at 5am with yoga. The hour-long yoga is followed by a few sets of free weight exercises and stretching. “Remember its 80 per cent diet and just 20 per cent exercise which keep you fit. So I maintained my diet and the effect is visible in almost 50 days,” he said.
Many other fitness enthusiasts whose routine got affected following the lockdown announced by Prime Minister Modi on March 24 to contain Covid-19 spread, have opted for different ways to keep their fitness routine intact.
Yoga, premises walk and free weight exercises are the favourites of fitness enthusiasts in the state capital. “If done properly and religiously, the daily chores including sweeping, cleaning, dusting etc can do wonders. I see this lockdown, when maids are on leave, as an opportunity for women to keep themselves fit,” pointed out Ruchi Rastogi, another morning walker.
But unlike people who are strictly following the lockdown and have restricted themselves indoors, there are many morning walkers who can still be seen venturing out on roads since all parks and other walking points are closed.
On the road leading to Lohia Park, Gomti Nagar, Janeshwar Mishra Park and Botanical Garden, the morning walkers can be seen walking on roads. “Though we are out in lockdown, we are following social distancing and are sporting masks. Since I live nearby, I often come out on the road in a day or two to beat lockdown blues,” said a morning walker who lives near Janeshwar Mishra Park.
Ajay Kapoor of the Morning Walker’s Association Lohia Park, Chowk, Lucknow said, “Yoga and free weight training are alternatives to morning walk. Presently, since lockdown is on, most of our members are either doing yoga or doing free weight exercises to keep themselves fit. I request people not to venture out during lockdown, which has been announced in everybody’s interest.”