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Fitness is fun

Due to the pandemic, we have mostly been indoors for almost 3 months. Beginning in early March, people across the country started limiting their movements as the coronavirus spread.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic can make it difficult to maintain a physically active lifestyle.

A daily physical activity is necessary for all of us, regardless of age, to stay healthy. Compared to sitting around most of the time, moderate-intensity physical activity is associated with improved immune function. Regular physical activity can help to reduce your feelings of stress and anxiety (which many of us may feel because of the COVID-19 pandemic).

According to Kevin Steele, PhD, exercise physiologist and vice president of 24 Hour Fitness Centers, an effective fitness program has five components, all of which you can do at home:

• A warm-up

• A cardiovascular (aerobic) workout.

• Resistance (strength-building) exercises

• Flexibility moves

• A cooldown

A warm-up might be an easy walk on a treadmill or outside, or a slow pace on a stationary bike. Walk or pedal faster for the cardiovascular portion, do step aerobics with a video, or jump rope — whatever you enjoy that gets your heart rate up. The portion of the resistance may be as simple as squats, push-ups, and abdominal crunches.

Working out should never feel like a punishment. You should only be moving in such a way that your body feels comfortable and makes your well-being feel good. Finding the right exercise may take some trial and error but continuing to try is important. After you find that one workout you love and start getting more comfortable with exercise, you will open the door to more workouts. Should you have any medical conditions, it would be best to consult with your trusted Medgate doctor.