While getting out for some fresh air can be a nice reprieve from being stuck inside, it also requires added safety precautions these days.
If you're venturing outside for a walk or run, experts recommend these ways to keep yourself and other safe.
However, if you live in a crowded area where it may be hard to keep adequate space between you and others, experts say that heavy breathing during exercise can provide a greater risk of exposure to the virus.
"The greater volume and rate of breathing that occurs during exercise has the risk of spreading droplets farther," Dr. Ben Levine told NPR of the risk of exercising outdoors right now. "I think it's reasonable (to increase social distancing) based on the known changes in breathing during exercise."
If you’re able to maintain plenty of distance, medical professionals say that outdoor exercise should be fine to continue. However, if you’re not able to do so safely, there are plenty of ways to also exercise at home.
"A change of scenery can help, such as a walk around your block, but if you don't feel comfortable doing that, even just taking a break to do bodyweight exercises in your backyard or an at-home cardio workout in your living room can help too," according to SELF's senior fitness editor Christa Sgobba.
If you do opt to stay indoors to exercise, here are ways to stay active inside:
Online yoga:
Yoga can be not only good for your physical health, but can improve general wellness by relieving stress and improving emotional health, sleep and balance, the National Institute of Health notes. It can also relieve low-back and neck pain and help manage anxiety and depressive symptoms.
You don't have to pay big bucks or leave your home to do yoga. Just put on something comfortable and pull up YouTube. Some popular channels include Yoga With Adrienne, Yoga By Candace and Body Positive Yoga.
Try tidying up:
Cleaning your house can be a win-win. Lifting laundry, going up and down stairs, being on your feet can all add up to a good amount of physical activity. Then, having a clean space can help with your mental health as well.
"Cleaning your house can incorporate a variety of muscle groups without you even realizing it," personal trainer Rich Gaspari told Everyday Health.
Simple exercises:
You don't need expensive exercise equipment or access to a gym to do simple exercises like planks, wall sits or squats. There are a variety of routines you can find online and on YouTube.
Dance it out:
Put on some tunes and have a living room dance party. It’s also a good way to keep kids active, if they are home from school and stuck inside.
"Dance is an effective form of exercise and can burn just as many calories as swimming, walking, or bike riding. The amount of calories you will burn depends on the intensity of the dance, the length of dance, how much effort you put in, and how much you weigh," active.com notes.
Create a circuit workout:
The American Heart Association has recommendations on its website for a simple circuit workout that can be done at home, including jumping jacks, high knees, push ups and lunges. It can be modified for individual use.
If you venture outside to exercise, here are some ways to stay safe:
Keep your distance
Linsey Marr, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech, told NPR that runners should consider keeping even more than the CDC recommended six feet of distance. Marr suggests runners try to maintain at least 10-12 feet between them and others.
She said that’s because running could potentially increase your likelihood of spreading the virus, should you be infected.
Change up your routine
When it comes to staying safe on your walks and runs, changing up your routine may help keep you safe. Try getting up early to run at less popular times or take a route that will be less populated.
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