How to keep fit at home!

Tuesday 24 March 2020

People across the islands are being encouraged to stay active throughout the corona virus crisis - even if they are confined to their homes.

Lots of fitness instructors and teachers across the world have been offering live streamed online videos, while some local organisations have decided to do the same.

Debbie Duport's Dancing is offering online classes via Zoom to get Guernsey moving, while some local yoga instructors are doing the same.

Beinspired Yoga is also encouraging children to get involved, with free live streamed children's yoga sessions every Monday.

Although all of its programmes and classes have had to be cancelled for now, the Guernsey Sports Commission is also getting involved, in an attempt to #ChallengeGuernsey. Members of the team are taking turns to share some of their favourite exercises which can be done from the comfort of your own home or in the garden. They are being posted each day on the Sports Commission's social media. 

Guernsey's Health Improvement Commission has put together a page of resources available for children and adults, with links to various national organisations who are sharing activity videos to follow.

They include Disney 'shake up' sessions for children from Change4Life, Travel to Tokyo kits from the British Olympic and Paralympic Associations and free home workout videos from Fitness Blender.

Meanwhile, some local gyms which have decided to close for the time being are offering their members access to home workout videos.

"Keep active but keep safe," said Education Lead at the Health Improvement Commission, Alun Williams. "All the evidence shows that regular physical activity at all ages can have profound, positive effects on our mental and physical health.

"The benefits to adults' physical health include reduced risk of a heart attack, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, falls and some cancers, as well as improved fitness and muscle and bone strength.

"However, right now, it is the benefits of being active to our mental health which are arguably most important. One of the most immediate and noticeable benefits of being active is on our mood. Physical activity is a natural anti-depressant and acts as a welcome distraction from daily stresses."

Following Public Health guidance, people in Guernsey who are well and not self isolating are able to go out and exercise on their own, keeping social distancing advice in mind at all times.

"If we can keep active then that's great, but it has to be undertaken whilst strictly following local advice on hygiene, self isolation and keeping a safe distance from others," Mr Williams added.

Further updated information and advice on the virus is available here.

More resources for home fitness can be found here.