During the COVID-19 pandemic it is vital for people who are more vulnerable to the virus, to stay at home. Although it is recommended for those who are fit and healthy to get outdoors for exercise, those who are more vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus, or shielding, may benefit from finding exercise to do at home or indoors.
Daily activities such as gardening or yoga, can help you to stay active at home and can also help to support your mental and physical health. Gentle exercise routines can also be done indoors and Complete Care Shop has plenty of great exercise equipment to help. If you are older or living with a health condition, it is vital to talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise programme. They will be able to advise you on what type of activities and physical exercises are best for you.
Take a break from sitting down
The simplest way to stay active at home is to take regular breaks from long periods of sitting down. Getting up every hour or so to do small tasks, or just take a walk to another room, can keep you mobile. If you find you need a bit of support when moving around your home, you may benefit from a mobility aid, which can offer you stability when walking.
How to exercise safely whilst sitting
Exercise can also be done from your chair, if this is a more suitable option for you. There are many exercise aids that can be used for strength building and rehabilitation whilst seated. If you’re looking to improve the strength in your upper body, the shoulder pulley is an effective aid that features two handles and attaches to a door so you can use it sitting down. Simply pull one handle at a time for gentle exercise that you can build up gradually at your own pace.
Alternatively, a pedal exerciser is a great way to improve strength in the legs, without the worry of maintaining your balance in a standing position. You may want to consider the Pedal Exerciser with Digital Display which can be placed in front of your chair and has a variable resistance speed to suit your needs. When placed on a table or work surface, this pedal exerciser can also be used to improve strength in your arms and upper body, so you can build up to a full workout if you choose!
Yoga and gentle exercise routines
Yoga involves moving between different poses and it encourages you to control your breathing. There are many different routines or poses that can be done on a mat, chair and even in bed, which can all help to reduce stress, whilst improving strength and flexibility in your body. As well as improving your physical health, the breathing techniques involved in yoga can encourage mindfulness to help you to relax and stay calm.
Gentle exercise routines can have similar benefits to yoga and doing regular gentle exercises can improve your mobility and balance, to help reduce the risk of falls. Exercise balls, such as the Gymnic Classic Exercise Ball can be used for a range of different exercises, and are especially beneficial for improving balance and co-ordination.
Dumbbells and other equipment, such as hand exercisers, can help to improve strength in the hands, wrists and arms and can be beneficial for rehabilitation exercises after an injury. Hand exercisers are available in various resistance levels and can also be used to reduce stress.
Complete Care Shop offer a complete range of exercise and therapy aids that can help you to stay active at home. Please remember to contact your doctor before starting any new exercise to discuss whether it is suitable for your health and physical abilities and to ensure there won’t be any negative effects on any existing conditions.
