EXERCISING IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS
So, most of us will be housebound for at least the next few weeks. Which probably means we’ll spend more time sitting at our computers (for work or play) or watching TV.
But we all—especially us older adults—need to exercise. It’s good for our heart, it’s good for keeping our blood pressure and cholesterol levels down, and it’s great for curing mental stress. Especially important, in this time of coronavirus, exercise gives the huge benefit of building up our immune system.
If you’ve been exercising regularly you’ll want to keep it up. Yet you won’t be going to the gym because it’s closed. So how will you work out now that you’re stuck?
Go Outside
Health professionals especially prescribe this: Go outside! Get some fresh air, catch a few rays. Go for a walk, a jog, a run, a bike ride. To get the most benefit, do this for at least 30 minutes a day, 6 or 7 days a week.
Even if you live in a community that is under a shelter-in-place order, you can still exercise outside. For instance, the San Francisco County Health Dept. says that people may leave their homes “to engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with social distancing requirements, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, or running.”
Just stay 10 feet (or whatever the latest recommendation) away from other people on the street, in the park or on the bike trail.
If you haven’t been exercising, now is a great time to start! But before you begin, consult with your doctor. Probably the best way to commence an exercise program for us seniors is through regular walking. Please see my post Ease Into Getting In Shape for a beginner’s walking schedule. You can also read my post The Benefits of Walking
Or Workout Inside
If, because of weather or whatever other reason, you can’t go outside you can still perform regular workouts indoors. If you have an in-home treadmill or stationary bike or rowing machine, you’re already used to exercising inside. But most of us don’t have any of these. To the rescue: Thousands of online exercise videos—including cardio, strength training, yoga, Pilates, you name it. Try FitnessBlenders on YouTube, for instance. Silver Sneakers also has a tremendous choice for seniors, especially their On Demand exercises if you’re a member through your health plan. (Just go to SilverSneakers.com to check your eligibility for free membership.)
Here are the changes I’m making: I was swimming laps once a week at the Y. Now I’ll begin a weekly swim at the beach here in Ventura. (But in a wetsuit because the water is only 59 degrees!) I’ll still go jogging, but up it to twice a week. Instead of using the Y’s rowing machine, I’ll up my biking from once to twice a week. Also, I was attending a weekly yoga class. Now I’m going to try one of the SilverSneakers online yoga classes.
Good luck on your workouts! And happy first day of spring!