By: Tara Alexander— Staff Writer

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, staying healthy is a top priority, yet gyms are closed which restricts the actions that people may do and disrupts routines that people may have developed. Thankfully, many popular and effective workout alternatives are available at home. 

Additionally, lots of exercise pros and gyms are giving free access to online workouts in response to the health concerns. 

The comfort of your self-isolation might be the perfect time to try out something new and potentially awkward like the cardio-step salsa or yoga-anything. The amount of space required depends on the workout, so people can adapt to the space they have.

Of course, you should always seek the advice of a physician before starting a new workout. Don’t take chances if you’re not feeling well.

Here are a few tips for creating the best at-home workout space and a few routines to try. 

Prep a Perspiration Place

Before working up a sweat, make sure the space being used is ready for an at-home workout with these tips:

-Reach all the way up, out, and side-to-side.
Make sure there is adequate space to move and stretch without the risk of knocking over a lamp.

-Beware overhead light fixtures and ceiling fans!
Don’t have any hair get caught in a motor or have glass shatter.

-Many workouts have at least one segment with time laying on the floor, so it’s helpful to have a yoga mat or towel ready, or be willing to have a wet carpet.

-Clean the bottoms of your gym shoes before starting your at-home workout routine.
They may not look dirty but that’s how dirt starts to spread. Alternatively, using a spare pair of shoes (if available) prevents the need to clean any dirt that may get tracked in.

-Speaking of shoes, if your at-home workout flooring is carpet, choose a pair with less tread to make your cardio routine glide. For wood or tile use shoes that won’t slide.

-Ensure that other beings in the house (pets and kids especially) are away from the workout area.
It’s all fun and games until someone steps on a tail.

-If you share floors (in a multi-level home or apartment), consider using a rubber floor mat to cushion the sound of your cardio routine or gym equipment for those below. 

Connect to Your Calorie Burn

Here are some free workouts on YouTube, including some from Colorado companies, to try while being stuck at home for self-isolation or anytime in the future. 

-Start with guided workout videos from PPCC trainers. This newly-launched PPCC Fitness Center channel is adding content by the day, so hit “subscribe” and check back soon for more.

-Blogilates might be even more difficult to pronounce than Pilates, but the workouts are renowned for fun. Try these Bootcamp Sculpting workouts with certified fitness instructor Cassey Ho.  https://www.youtube.com/user/blogilates/featured

-Body Project helps you, “lose fat, tone muscles, and get fit in a safe and sustainable way.” This high energy, holistic exercise channel includes over 300 videos with HIIT cardio, resistance training, pilates and yoga. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFjc9H89-RpWuIStDqhO7AQ/featured

-The Body Coach offers more than 250 free videos on YouTube, including morning P.E. and other kid-friendly classes, senior-specific sweat sessions, and challenges you can follow every day. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ

-The Fitness Marshall combines popular dance moves and music with the comfort of being at home. Check out the channel for free workouts, and join the trend of uploading your own version! https://www.youtube.com/user/TheFitnessMarshall.

-Kit Rich says it’s three miles or 30 minutes to fitness, and there’s a free, live class every morning at 9 a.m. MST. https://www.youtube.com/user/kitrichfitness

-Palango, based in Denver, combines the best of Latin music and movements with powerful moves from boxing, Capoeira, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and other elements of traditional martial arts. Check out instructor Felix’s daily classes on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWdfFeFU0RQfhGfrYTuyqnw/about or https://palangofitness.com/

-Popsugar’s channel is packed with over 500 routines that echo their vibe like “Hip Hop Tabata to Torch Calories” and “The Cardio Dance Workout Every Celebrity Loves.” Don’t miss the section for no-equipment at-home cardio. https://www.youtube.com/user/popsugartvfit

-Tai Chi Colorado Springs offers free forms, stretches and tips for this distinctive martial art on its YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRIEE-q5aDfLvSnlHUP4jcQ). They offer a complete curriculum online as well at  https://taichionlineclasses.com/

-VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa, which has a branch in Colorado Springs, is a destination for fun, fitness and community— even when the community is only online. They began adding new videos on YouTube in response to COVID-19. Leave them some feedback! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxuxT-w0HNO8zlC7jdfGQKQ/featured

-Yoga with Adriene welcomes “all levels, all bodies, all genders, all souls.” Whether you search by workout length or ability, you will find many options to gain flexibility, promote weight loss, improve focus and more with yoga. https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene

If you are a fitness trainer or gym in Colorado Springs who’s offering at-home videos, let us know and we’ll mention you in the next round!

Visit https://www.ppcc.edu/covid for the latest COVID-19 updates from Pikes Peak Community College.

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash