6 ms·

I wonder how many people have been forced into a "sedentary" life style by COVID-19...

Insanity 6y ago
I tried to replace going to the gym by working out at home, invested in some weights etc. But at the end of the day, my motivation to work out at home is much lower.
- bionsystem 6y ago
  Same here. I kinda liked swimming but now that pools are closed, apart from a short walk at lunch time (we have curfew in the evening) I don't do anything. Tried yoga but always scared to hurt myself, also I have very little room in my apartment to move... I can't run also because of body pain. I'm surprised I only gained 4kg. But my whole body is itching and aching and I'm really feeling the effects of less physical activity.
  - jraby3 6y ago
    Try P90X. There is one X3 workout called The Warrior specifically designed for tight spaces. Look up Tony Horton on YouTube for some ideas.
Someone1234 6y ago
Outside medical complications caused by actually getting COVID-19, nobody. It is perfectly possible to get tons of exercise in your own home or apartment with no specific equipment. With an internet connection and free YouTube videos (dance, body weight training tutorials, et al) it is even pleasant. People often make a big song and dance about how they "need" that $400 bike or $1500 running machine, or "need" gym access to do anything. This is all a self-induced fiction (although marketers likely deserve blame here too). There might be limited truth for the top-1% of athletes who require highly regimented training routines; but for the general public nah. COVID didn't make you sedentary, you made you sedentary. PS - I too don't get enough exercise. I'm not throwing stones here. My point is that I don't blame COVID-19 for my own [bad] choices. I could freely exceed all recommendations if I choose to without stepping foot outside but I don't, and I have to live with that.
- readams 6y ago
  You can definitely still get a workout, and I get probably about as much exercise now as I did before. But I don't have anything like the same strength training equipment so I think I've definitely lost a lot of strength as I can't do any heavy lifting.
  - Someone1234 6y ago
    Did you lift above your total body weight before? Below that body weight exercises can maintain strength, and above that weighted vests can assist.
- balfirevic 6y ago
  Well, forced is maybe too strong of a word. If people have the kind of exercise they enjoy and do consistently but are now prevented from doing it - it's fair to say that they are sedentary due to COVID.
- boatsie 6y ago
  I hear this opinion on Reddit as well. Yes, it is possible to get "tons of exercise" on your own using body weight, but it is not the same as barbell strength training. You are much more limited because actual strength training is a somewhat scientific process of progressive overload--adding 2-5 pounds per workout to an exercise. You cannot do this easily/precisely with body weight exercises, and additionally there is a reason the barbell is shaped as it is--to maximize the ability to support and balance the weight. The argument that nobody "needs" gym access is akin to arguing nobody "needs" restaurants--they can all just cook their own food. Or nobody "needs" grocery stores--they can just grow/raise all their own food.
  - balfirevic 6y ago
    It's also not just about gyms. People who did sports (even if it was just playing badminton with buddies) have nothing that's even close.
    - 6y ago
watwut 6y ago
I do more sport then before. Sport requires time and mind to do it. I have both more then before.
random5634 6y ago
Quite a few - a big part of working out and sticking with it is social aspect for some - if you can get that - fun workout group - you are golden and chance of sticking with plan goes way up. Plenty of studies back this up [1] Comments that downplay this may not be from folks with fun and healthy workout patterns Anyways - at least for me it’s been disruptive https://experiencelife.com/article/strength-in-numbers-the-importance-of-fitness-buddies/ https://experiencelife.com/article/strength-in-numbers-the-i...
- watwut 6y ago
  People who do exercise regularly even if fun friends group is not available do have healthy workout patterns. And if they do it long term likely do have fun for them pattern. Yes, friends group help with motivation. But if you are completely dependent on them, your exercise pattern will break with any larger lifestyle changes - like when you travel or when you have kids or when friends don't have time anymore.
psychomugs 6y ago
I was already fairly active before COVID (distance running 4-5 times/week) but actually became even more active after picking skateboarding back up a few months into quarantine. Several of my friends also started exercising more, though the ones that lifted lost some gains but broke through plateaus once they were able to get back in. Echoing other sentiments here, if exercise is important enough you'll carve out the time for it no matter the circumstance.
spaetzleesser 6y ago
For me it’s the opposite. I can spend the time usually spent sitting in a car( which is very bad for my back) being more active.

I tried to replace going to the gym by working out at home, invested in some weights etc. But at the end of the day, my motivation to work out at home is much lower.

bionsystem 6y ago
Same here. I kinda liked swimming but now that pools are closed, apart from a short walk at lunch time (we have curfew in the evening) I don't do anything. Tried yoga but always scared to hurt myself, also I have very little room in my apartment to move... I can't run also because of body pain. I'm surprised I only gained 4kg. But my whole body is itching and aching and I'm really feeling the effects of less physical activity.
- jraby3 6y ago
  Try P90X. There is one X3 workout called The Warrior specifically designed for tight spaces. Look up Tony Horton on YouTube for some ideas.

Someone1234 6y ago

Outside medical complications caused by actually getting COVID-19, nobody. It is perfectly possible to get tons of exercise in your own home or apartment with no specific equipment. With an internet connection and free YouTube videos (dance, body weight training tutorials, et al) it is even pleasant. People often make a big song and dance about how they "need" that $400 bike or $1500 running machine, or "need" gym access to do anything. This is all a self-induced fiction (although marketers likely deserve blame here too). There might be limited truth for the top-1% of athletes who require highly regimented training routines; but for the general public nah. COVID didn't make you sedentary, you made you sedentary. PS - I too don't get enough exercise. I'm not throwing stones here. My point is that I don't blame COVID-19 for my own [bad] choices. I could freely exceed all recommendations if I choose to without stepping foot outside but I don't, and I have to live with that.

readams 6y ago
You can definitely still get a workout, and I get probably about as much exercise now as I did before. But I don't have anything like the same strength training equipment so I think I've definitely lost a lot of strength as I can't do any heavy lifting.
- Someone1234 6y ago
  Did you lift above your total body weight before? Below that body weight exercises can maintain strength, and above that weighted vests can assist.
balfirevic 6y ago
Well, forced is maybe too strong of a word. If people have the kind of exercise they enjoy and do consistently but are now prevented from doing it - it's fair to say that they are sedentary due to COVID.
boatsie 6y ago
I hear this opinion on Reddit as well. Yes, it is possible to get "tons of exercise" on your own using body weight, but it is not the same as barbell strength training. You are much more limited because actual strength training is a somewhat scientific process of progressive overload--adding 2-5 pounds per workout to an exercise. You cannot do this easily/precisely with body weight exercises, and additionally there is a reason the barbell is shaped as it is--to maximize the ability to support and balance the weight. The argument that nobody "needs" gym access is akin to arguing nobody "needs" restaurants--they can all just cook their own food. Or nobody "needs" grocery stores--they can just grow/raise all their own food.
- balfirevic 6y ago
  It's also not just about gyms. People who did sports (even if it was just playing badminton with buddies) have nothing that's even close.
  - 6y ago

watwut 6y ago

I do more sport then before. Sport requires time and mind to do it. I have both more then before.

random5634 6y ago

Quite a few - a big part of working out and sticking with it is social aspect for some - if you can get that - fun workout group - you are golden and chance of sticking with plan goes way up. Plenty of studies back this up [1] Comments that downplay this may not be from folks with fun and healthy workout patterns Anyways - at least for me it’s been disruptive https://experiencelife.com/article/strength-in-numbers-the-importance-of-fitness-buddies/ https://experiencelife.com/article/strength-in-numbers-the-i...

watwut 6y ago
People who do exercise regularly even if fun friends group is not available do have healthy workout patterns. And if they do it long term likely do have fun for them pattern. Yes, friends group help with motivation. But if you are completely dependent on them, your exercise pattern will break with any larger lifestyle changes - like when you travel or when you have kids or when friends don't have time anymore.

psychomugs 6y ago

I was already fairly active before COVID (distance running 4-5 times/week) but actually became even more active after picking skateboarding back up a few months into quarantine. Several of my friends also started exercising more, though the ones that lifted lost some gains but broke through plateaus once they were able to get back in. Echoing other sentiments here, if exercise is important enough you'll carve out the time for it no matter the circumstance.

spaetzleesser 6y ago

For me it’s the opposite. I can spend the time usually spent sitting in a car( which is very bad for my back) being more active.