With gyms and sports clubs once again closed for an extended period, virtual workouts at home have become an increasingly common and convenient way for many people to stay active. One of the most popular trainers in Estonia (and on FitQ) – Katrena Tenno – gave an interview to Raadio Elmar in which she discussed virtual workouts and staying active.
People who already have a strong exercise habit are unlikely to be sitting at home on the sofa waiting for sports clubs to reopen. It is a different story for those who have long been telling themselves that they will start exercising tomorrow – and have therefore kept putting it off.
If you find it difficult to summon the motivation to start exercising, Katrena Tenno says: “This is how I see it: motivation must first come from within! You first have to find the right place and moment when you say, ‘Now I’m going to start exercising.’”
If simply getting started feels difficult, Katrena recommends: “Find a specific plan to follow. There are now plenty of virtual workout platforms in Estonia where you can exercise.” Katrena leads workouts on various platforms, and her workouts on FitQ are among the platform’s most popular. Check out her FitQ channel HERE.
So how do you move beyond a single workout and build a positive exercise habit? Katrena says: “Maybe this situation is not so bad after all, and perhaps the world needed a change. Even in Estonia, there are places with no gyms at all, so in that sense the world of virtual workouts really is the new reality. It is so convenient to complete your workout at home, take a shower and be back on your own sofa 5 minutes later.”
What equipment can you use to work out at home? Katrena believes the main item should be an exercise mat or, if you do not have one, even a towel. If you do not have dumbbells to hand, you can put water bottles in a backpack to add weight and use it for a wide range of exercises. Dumbbells are available in many different weights, while resistance bands can also be used for a great variety of exercises. Chairs and sofas can be a big help as well.
Katrena also pointed out that there are a great many different types of workouts, and you do not have to force yourself through the first one you come across if you do not enjoy it. There are cardio, strength and many other kinds of workouts, so it is worth exploring the options and choosing something you genuinely like.
During the interview, Katrena was also asked how often people should aim to exercise. “It all depends on your fitness level. Those who are used to training hard with heavy weights at the gym will currently find it twice as difficult to maintain their fitness. But if you are a recreational exerciser and have plenty of free time, you could aim to get active four times a week, for example... and why not even more often! We have to remember that people working from home are currently only half as active as they normally would be. If you do not have that much time for exercise, I also recommend paying attention to your nutrition plan,” said trainer Katrena Tenno.
The information and quotations in this post are based on Raadio Elmar’s article and interview. Read Elmar’s article and listen to the interview HERE
