Our 5 favorite at-home exercises

Keeping fit in quarantine may seem like a struggle, but there are a surprising amount of isolation exercise routines and programs cropping up all over the internet which you can do from the confines of your four walls.

1. Burpees

According to personal trainer Bryan Goldberg, burpees (also known as squat thrusts) are the most effective form of at-home exercise in a confined space. A burpee is a full body exercise, beginning in a standing position, moving into a squat with your hands on the ground, then kicking your feet back into a plank position and immediately returning to a squat position before standing up. You can find full instructions and a visual guide here. Always remember to go at your own pace, so why not start with 5 or 10 at a time and build up the amount of burpees you complete in a day gradually? Just make sure any fury friends are out the way first!

2. Squats

Squats are one of the most accessible forms of at-home exercise. They’re also one of the best ways of burning fat and building muscle that you can do without the help of a personal trainer (or even a mirror). Try the 30 day squat challenge to build up your fitness in a controlled, effective way. The best part of this challenge is the structure it will give your life in quarantine. Watch the next 30 days pass you by with a tighter, more agile physique as your reward.

3. Skipping 

Why not add some childhood nostalgia into your workout routine? Skipping is both fun and good exercise, making it the perfect way to lift your spirits in quarantine. According to the British Skipping Rope Association, skipping is a great full body workout; it can help boost your immune system, improve your overall health and just one hour of the activity can burn 1,600 calories.

4. Stair training

Whether you’re isolating in a house with stairs or an apartment block with probably even more stairs, stairs are the one piece of exercise equiptment most people have available to them. Stair training is also a surprisingly great form of exercise and the perfect way to feel as though you’re moving in these otherwise static times.

According to Run Society, the benefits of stair climbing are huge, with the vertical movement in particular making for an effective workout, as your leg muscles are forced to resist gravity to lift your body while the rest of your body must stabilize and balance. Stair climbing is ideal for training your calves, hamstrings, glutes and quads, toning your lower body and boosting your stamina. Try walking or running up and down your most accessible stairs for 15-20 minutes, gradually building your workout up to 30 minutes. Just be sure to practice social distancing if you encounter other people from outside your household.

5. Jumping jacks

Jumping jacks are fun and, let’s face it, we all know how to do them. This activity is also incredibly versatile as you can do as many as you feel comfortable doing in your workout. According to Healthline, jumping jacks work your heart, lungs and muscles at the same time by combining aerobic exercise and resistance work and are specifically good for working your glutes, quadriceps and hip flexors. They’re great for both movement and agility and the ideal activity to do while listening to your favorite 80s songs on repeat. So why not get your leg warmers on and start jumping?