It’s no secret that college can be tough on your mind and body. Not to mention, all the stress that the COVID-19 pandemic has added to our daily life. Even with a busy schedule of Zoom calls and other prior commitments, being in a quarantine during the pandemic has made people more interested in working out at home and focusing on their mental and physical health.
According to a survey from OnePoll released in an article in the New York Post, 63% of people said they are taking this time to focus on their health and 64% of respondents said they are more interested in at-home workouts now compared to before the start of quarantine.
So, if you are like me and are overwhelmed by your busy schedule of Zoom calls and socially-distanced lectures, going to the gym by carving out that precious time in your schedule is the last thing on your mind. Instead of wasting time and money on a gym membership or subscription service that you may only use a few times, invest in some free weights (or homemade ones) for a quick and easy at home workout.
Free weights, or workouts that involve dumbbells or other free moving objects, can range based on budget, health conditions or fitness level. When I started focusing on my fitness, I went to my local Five Below to find the basic necessities I needed. If you were unaware, Five Below sells dumbbell weights from 1 to 5 lbs. They also sell other equipment such as yoga mets, basic workout gear, resistance bands and other tools all at cheap prices. It’s a great way to get started on your fitness journey especially if you are on a budget. However, if you aren’t willing to spend some cash on dumbbells and other materials, you can start with some things you have at home. Take empty cartons or containers and fill them with rice, water, sand or pebbles to work out with.
Once you collect your barbells or homemade barbells you might be thinking, “Great, I have these free weights. What do I do now?”
Well, start thinking about what body group you are thinking of focusing on and find the dumbbell activities that work for you. For some, that might mean assisted workouts through sitting or laying on the ground. Some popular dumbbell workouts involve squats to focus on your glutes or legs, bicep curls to focus on your arms and dumbbell swings that focus on both your shoulders and leg muscles.
Don’t just listen to me. Working out is a personal journey that has so many variations and freedom of choice that can be added to your workout. Some of the best resources for workout plans are YouTube or fitness magazine articles. If you feel you need more instruction, reach out to a fitness enthused friend or even a personal trainer to teach you all the important tips to make sure you maintain proper form while you workout and ensure your safety and don’t injure yourself. I know it might be difficult to start, but by starting with something like free weights, it’s a great start on your fitness journey, wherever it may lead.
