SPORTS TO TAKE UP DURING LOCKDOWN

It’s definitely a weird time that will go down in history. The world went into lockdown in 2020, and a lot of people are looking at starting up a new hobby, a new skill, or a new sport during lockdown.

Looking for some inspiration, or easy ways to start up a new sport, that ensure you are doing it safely during the lockdown – well here are just some ideas. Whether it’s building strength, developing cardio, or simply just trying out a new sport you haven’t done before – there is always something to do.

Please note – these are just suggestions and ideas. There can be a lot of pressure to be constantly motivated, or not put on weight, or to start a new skill during lockdown – this is not the case. Your mental health. Your happiness. You are the most important thing to look after during the lockdown, so never feel pressured, don’t compare yourself, and look after yourself during such a complicated time.

1. Running

This could either be a sports that you’ve already been doing, or something you could start up. In the UK we are currently* allowed out for 1 form of exercise a day, this could be a walk, or a run. Just make sure you are staying safe and practising safe measures.

You could set yourself a challenge, to run a certain amount of times a week, or run a certain distance. This might also be a great time to start the Couch25k that you have always wanted to do.

Lace up your trainers, put on a good playlist, and head out for a run. It’s great work for cardio, and for leg strength, plus it gives you the chance to get outside! Just make sure you are maintaining a safe distance at all times when you are out running.

You could also try and do something crazy, like run the distance in your garden, on your balcony, or in your house. There have been plenty of stories and new reports about some awesome people running marathons in their gardens. It could be a fun challenge for you to take part in?

2. Swimming

How can you swim in your own home, I hear you ask?

Well there are several different ways you can go swimming, but here are the best options.

As long as it’s safe and allowed in your area, find a river near you and take a dip. We have a beautiful river near us that we have used for years to train in. It’s far away from areas where lots of people will use, and it’s a peaceful, beautiful river on a sunny day. If you’ve been open water swimming before, this is a good activity.
Get a pool for your back garden. We don’t have a large garden, but we have enough space to slide a pool into it. We’ve set up a tether to a tree, tied it around our waists, and essentially used it like an endless pool. It isn’t ideal but it does keep your fitness up. It’s also a fun way to cool down if it gets hot during the day. We bought ours for just under £90, so it’s not too pricey either.

These are just fun ways to keep swimming up, or start swimming if you haven’t before!

3. Biking

It might be time to dust that bike off, get it out of the shed, and get cycling.

Biking is a great way to get outside, keep your cardio up, but also have a gentle relaxing cycle if you don’t want to push too hard. We have bikes for a reason, we may as well get the use out of it during lockdown!

Not wanting to head outside for your bike ride? Thats perfectly fine, you can set a turbo up in your house or garden. I don’t have all the fancy gear, just an old turbo to get my legs spinning.

Indoor Bike

4. Fitness/HIIT/Workouts/Yoga

Probably the biggest craze at the moment – home workouts. A fun way to get the whole family involved, to keep fit, and just give yourself some time to look after yourself. There is such a range of workouts online at the moment, it could be strength, cardio, pilates, or even yoga.

I’ve recently been starting my yoga journey, not only has it helped me with my stretching, it’s also helping me with my mental health as well. I’ve been using the sessions to really focus on myself, breathing, and using the time to relax.

Not sure what workouts to do? Check out the list here.

Lockdown 2020 is such a weird time for us all. However, it is giving us a chance to look after ourselves, if you want to keep fit, you can, and just to have fun. The most important thing to come out of the lockdown, is that you have looked after yourself.

If you take this chance to start a new sport, that is awesome! If you don’t want to start a new sport, that is also awesome!

Let me know what you get up to during the lockdown, have you had anymore ideas of what to do? Give me a shout!