5 online workout spaces to stay healthy during remote learning

Article by Emily Whelan ’20

With social distancing in full effect, it is more important than ever that we find creative and fun ways to stay active. Thankfully, there are hundreds of free websites and apps that provide easy-to-follow fitness and yoga routines that can be done from the comfort of your own home. From jump roping to strength training, these workouts are sure to keep your energy up in these trying times.

Online places to workout and stay healthy during remote learning

#1 FitnessBlender.com

If you’re looking for a perfectly customized workout, FitnessBlender.com is a good place to start. The website allows you to enter the duration, calorie burn and difficulty level of a workout before you begin, as well as the parts of the body that you want to work. It will then give you a list of workout videos to follow based on what you entered. For most of the workouts provided, you don’t need any equipment – just a little room to move around.  You are led by a skilled trainer who leaves you feeling encouraged by the end of the workout.

#2 Kai Simon’s YouTube Channel

Another page to check out is Kai Simon’s YouTube channel. Simon is a former Division 1 athlete turned personal trainer with more than 11 million views on her videos. She specializes in functional training, athletic performance and corrective exercises. Her videos feature tips and routines for a variety of skill-levels. Whether you have dumbbells, medicine balls, weight plates, pull up bars, resistance bands, or none of these, there are sure to be workouts suited just for you – some lasting less than 10 minutes.

#3 Newport’s Mend Yoga Studio

For the yoga-lovers out there, there is also no shortage of yoga classes available online — but it’s a great time to support local businesses, and Newport’s very own Mend Yoga Studio is offering donation-based classes on their Vimeo account. If you can’t tune in live, their videos are saved to the account and available whenever you have time to join in the class. Be sure to donate to their Venmo account, too, so that they are able to keep up their great work and keep the Newport community together even when we are physically apart. Maybe you’d like to support another local yoga or fitness studio from your area by attending their online offerings, too!

#4 DoYogaWithMe.com

Maybe you’re just getting into yoga and aren’t ready for an hour-long class. If that’s the case, DoYogaWithMe.com is a great website to look at. The website is now offering a two-month free trial to anyone quarantined by the coronavirus. With that, you gain premium access to all beginner, intermediate and advanced-level videos. This page is a great way to learn the basics of yoga, take a beginner class, ask questions on the forum or be led through a guided meditation.

#5 Other Ideas 

These are only four ways to get some exercise in during this challenging time. Some other great resources to check out are The Fitness Marshall channel on YouTube, which offers live and recorded original dance workouts, among other things; The Yoga Room channel on YouTube, which specializes in accessible yoga for every body type; or the Down Dog app, if you’d like a specific app on your smartphone. Each of these offer new and fun ways to get a workout in, from dancing to your favorite songs to stretching to release stress.

Between the remote classes and conference calls, it is important to take time for yourself each day and think about what you’re doing to stay healthy and active. Regardless of your ability or access to equipment, these are some good resources to use to ensure you are doing just that.

Each Wednesday, SALVEtoday will provide wellness tips to encourage and uplift the University community during this time of remote living and learning. #salvesgotthis #wellnesswednesdays

Featured photo by Getty Images/fizkes