Remember when gyms were the sweat-out sexy “photo op” spot for many? Now you may have to choose a room, if available, or find a quiet open spot in your home for maybe an exercise bicycle, since gyms are deemed “non-essential” during a lockdown. For many Ghanaians, paying anywhere between GHS1,200 and GHS11,600 for an exercise bicycle is just too expensive, especially, when there are so many free options available right now.

READ ALSO: Benefits of Skipping in the Lockdown

If you’re fortunate to have a gym in your home, make use of it; but you don’t need to have a large space or many pieces of equipment to get a good workout. Here are three (3) simple home workouts you can do right now:

1. Skipping

Skipping is arguably one of the cheapest and most-efficient workouts out there. It is a full body workout that utilises your stomach muscles, your arms, shoulders, and legs altogether. In addition, as explained in a previous post, “skipping doesn’t need any particular setup to make it possible. If you live in a single room or chamber and hall property, with a not-too-low ceiling, and you clear the furniture in your bedroom or living room enough to create sufficient space, you can even skip in your living room. Get out your skipping ropes and start your simple fitness journey today”.

2. Using your Own Bodyweight

If you know any professional fitness instructor, he/she may secretly tell you that using your bodyweight to exercise is a great recipe for developing your muscle mass and a mean solution to decreasing fat. Fortunately, these exercises need little to no equipment; small workout space; and also don’t require the gym. This makes it easy to work out whenever you’re free, wherever you may be.

Courtesy Entrepreneur

Exercises using bodyweight you may try include push ups / press ups, groiners, and step-ups with knee raisers for muscle building, while you can also get in some side planks, bench dips, and burpees for full-body bodyweight workouts which help in burning excess fat and help you attain the lean physique of your dreams.

3. Train With Fitness Instructors or Celebrities Online

Many of us are on social media for the larger parts of our days when we are free due to the restriction on human social activities (social/physical distancing) during this pandemic. This may be the best time to chip in a short simple workout which will go a long way to serve you well in diverse ways including boosting your immune system.

You may know of an instructor who gave exclusive coaching at an expensive gym in the pre-COVID-19 days. Chances are they’re utilising social media, at the moment, to reach as many people as they can to “make an impact and physically help people”,  fitness-wise, during this period; or they’re simply serving their clients through their social media pages.

You can take advantage of this by simply searching for them online and be graced with simple home workouts without equipment because they know many people do not have them at home. This is a great way to interact with trainers you may have wanted to train with before but couldn’t; now you get to be coached as though you were in their class in real life. All from the comfort of your home.

There are tons of celebrity work-out videos on YouTube or Instagram. Many of us are captivated by the idea that our favourite celebrity is helping us train. It keeps us wanting more and helps remain focused; and just as with online professional fitness training, little or no equipment is used or needed, plus it can be done anyplace, anytime. Try it. It should be fun.

Courtesy Men’s Health

READ ALSO: Healthy Foodstuffs You Need at Home During a Quarantine

Whichever combination of free simple home workouts you choose, or whichever works for you, remember if you’re doing it right, you’re boosting your immune system, which will give you an edge over the ever-spreading COVID-19. Getting active, and knocking into shape while at it is a pleasant bonus.