BODY OF WORK
Locked down (again), self-isolating or looking for a challenging, no-equipment-required home workout? Bodyweight exercises are effective, free and you can do them anywhere
If this year has shown us anything it’s that access to the gym is no longer guaranteed. It’s time for us to take back control over our fitness. You don’t need to wait for an Amazon delivery of dumbbells to stay in shape. The one piece of equipment we all have at our disposal — quarantine or not — is our bodies.
Bodyweight workouts are fierce. They can be done anywhere, any time. Using just your own mass you can work an array of muscle groups in ways you’ve never dreamed of.
If you’re not currently locked down, it’s worth taking this time to build up a portfolio of workouts that you can do at home, for times when you might need to self-isolate, or you can’t squeeze a gym visit into your schedule.
Work with different personal trainers and don’t be afraid to ask questions. They are there to assist you, to give you tips and help you learn about your own body and what you, specifically, should be working on. (And in some cases, which muscle groups you should ease off on.) They will push you to get the results you desire. If you click with one, be sure to book more sessions with them, because if you take pleasure in their company, chances are
you’ll enjoy your workout and get more out of it.
Attend classes that involve lots of bodyweight movements: Pilates, yoga, Legs, Bums and Tums, HIIT, CrossFit WODs, and so on. The more sessions you attend, the more exercises you’ll learn, giving you a diverse pool of bodyweight exercises to draw on if you are at home in lockdown, or on holiday abroad when those days return. The more sessions you do, the more knowledge you’ll acquire, making it easier to adapt exercises for your ability and fitness when left to your own devices.
If you’re working out at home, another option is to exercise with ab/yoga apps or YouTube workouts, but be careful to choose reputable sources. My tip is to watch a routine all the way through before you begin so you know what’s coming. I’ve been caught out several times by questionable exercises — especially those that focus too heavily on certain muscle groups while disregarding others, or workouts that are simply far too intense. Remember to warm up first and to cool down properly afterwards.
With or without the gym, the power to stay fit and healthy is in your hands — all you need to find is the motivation…
“Watch a routine all the way through”