By Laurie Sweig

Thanks to COVID-19 many of us have improved our video chatting skills. I often have coffee dates with friends. I know of many people who havegame nights cocktail calls and even cooking/wine tasting events. Thankgoodness for technology during this isolating time. Perhaps it’s time to use it to work out with friends and family.

I’ve read that fitnessfacilities will be opening soon. They are figuring out how to welcomemembers back in a safe manner. Several people I’ve spoken to aboutreturning to the gym have expressed concern about rushing back. It’skind of a “rock and a hard place” situation. They find motivation ingoing to a designated place to work out and without that they’re worried that they won’t work out. My suggestion – book work out calls with afriend or a whole group of friends.

Exercising does not requireequipment nor does it require everyone to be at the same fitness level.Pretty much anyone can do push-ups. They may not all look the same butthat doesn’t matter. The important thing is that everyone is moving insome way.

Here’s a sample workout that would take no longer that 20 minutes depending on the chatting that goes on between the exercises:
• Start with a warm-up. March on the spot for two to three minutes. Add in five to 10 toe touching movements.
• Next up are push-ups. At the wall on your knees or toes. How many reps completed is up to the participant.
• Then try some squats. Same rule about the number of reps to be done as with the push-ups.
• Move on to the plank after the squats. On the elbows and knees or toesdepending on fitness levels. Hold for five to 10 seconds and repeat asmany times as feels good. There are modifications that can be foundonline if needed.
• The superman is next. Lying facedown on the floor with arms extended raise the right arm and the left leg a couple ofinches off the floor. Repeat on the other side. Again reps aredepending on each individual’s capabilities.
• Add some cardio inwith some jogging on the spot dancing lunging etc. Change theexercise every minute. Maybe have each participant bring an exercise tothe group for this part.
• Don’t forget a cool down – walking on the spot slowly and then some stretches.

This should be a fun thing to do. Actually it should be playful. Throwconventional exercise thinking out the window. We’ve gotten quite goodat changing how we do things we might as well apply it to fitness. Becreative. Be safe but be creative.  The goal needs to be that everyoneleaves the call feeling energized and wanting to return for the nextone!
Something to think about.

Laurie Sweig is a certifiedpersonal fitness trainer and spinning instructor. She owns and operatesThe Point for Fitness. She can be reached at laurie@thepointforfitness.com .