Working out comes easily to some and is embedded in their routine, but to others like me, it can be a bit of a struggle to stay consistent. The pandemic and semi-lockdown (though the government won't call it that) make it even more challenging. Why work out when you've got a perfectly good couch seducing you to take a nap and a whole bunch of Netflix shows on your "My List" to be watched? But if there's ever a more crucial time to make sure we stay healthy and fit, it's now. We're setting all the excuses, the nap times and the Netflix aside -- or at least we try and do our best to -- to look at workouts that can be done anywhere without the need of a gym or park.
NIKE TRAINING CLUB
Available on App Store and Google Play
There may be legit excuses as to why we don't exercise like not knowing the proper movements, not having the right equipment, not having enough time or being unsure whether what we're doing is actually working. The Nike Training Club app smashes all those worries and excuses to bits.
The app, unlike most others, asks what you want to achieve and after a basic data input like weight, height and how much you've been working out, you can choose what programme you want to sign up for, depending on if you're in it to get lean or just to ease back into working out. If you don't have any equipment, the app will tailor a programme according to your preference. It also takes into account how much you want to be working out per week and if you miss a day, you can move your workouts around.
If you're truly serious about getting fit, the Nike Training Club app will help you immensely. Plus, it comes at no additional cost.
DAREBEE
While there is a plethora of resources to help you get started on your workouts, it can also be a bit of information overload. A simple search on Google and YouTube and you'll be bombarded by numerous results, which may cause you to give up and hide in a blanket fort while munching on Cheetos.
This is why the non-profit, ad-free website Darebee can be your best go-to site for anything fitness related. The site has a number of workouts you can try, which are illustrated so they're easy to follow. There's a good variety of them with different focus points so you can choose what you want to work on whether it's your abs or your legs. On top of that, they've also got numerous workouts that don't need equipment. But the workouts are just the tip of the iceberg as Darebee also provides programmes that you can do for a period of days, a number of guides on different topics like self-care in lockdown and meal plans so that you accompany your workouts with proper eating. In other words, Darebee is your one-stop resource for getting fit and healthy.
JETTS FITNESS YOGA
If you find yoga slightly intimidating but somewhat interesting and don't want to dive into it head first (pun intended), this is for you. Jetts Thailand, which has fitness centres all over the city, has released a video that demonstrates a number of yoga poses that will help relieve muscle tension. This is especially important for many of us who have been stuck working or studying at home and have spent countless hours sitting at our desks and staring at screens. There are positions that are great for beginners to get stretching, but if you're someone who does practice yoga regularly, you can try out the more advanced positions. Aside from the video, Jetts also offers live workout sessions on their FB page.
MANDARIN ORIENTAL'S "24 HOURS OF WELLNESS"
MandarinOriental.com/luxury-spas
The one thing this pandemic has taught us is that there's a lot that can be done over Zoom calls. The Mandarin Oriental is utilising that with their "24 Hours of Wellness", an online wellness event, which brings a number of the Mandarin Oriental's locations all over the world together. On June 12, a number of wellness events will be live-streamed on Instagram and you can be a part of it. Join a meditation session from Tokyo, a postural therapy session from Boston or a tennis movement practice from Kuala Lumpur all from the comfort of your own home. These sessions will be streamed from the individual IG accounts of each Mandarin Oriental property. The activities will start at 6am on June 12 and will run for 24 hours.
VIRGIN ACTIVE
Virgin Active is a well-known name in health and fitness so the fact that they're offering a 14-day trial for their online workouts is something you should definitely look into if you really want to get into working out from anywhere. They've got workouts that are being live-streamed, as well as a library of guided workouts that you can access. The workouts include High Intensity Interval Training or HIIT, yoga, Pilates, boxing and more. While it is only a 14-day trial, those 14 days can be just what you need to get you out of your fitness slump. And if you end up liking what you experienced, you can sign up for membership, which also means you can use their facilities once restrictions are eased.
STAYING MOTIVATED
Semi-lockdown has already put us under a lot of stress and pressure, which is why many of us have put fitness in the backburner. Guru spoke to a few trainers to ask how they stay disciplined during these times and if they have any advice for those who are struggling to get back to their fitness routine.
"It doesn't take a lot to stay fit during semi-lockdown. Stay active! The most important part is building the discipline to do so and usually that's where most of us fail. Unfortunately, there is no magic method to rid us of this. You simply just have to get up and off your butt and move. Pick a time during your day and dedicate that time for physical activity. Do something you enjoy or work on improving a skill that uses your body. Work with what you have. Don't know anything? Google or YouTube should have tutorials on how and what to do. We have all the resources we need at our disposal to better our health. But first, get up off your lazy butt and move!"
— Gee Daranakarakul, trainer at Elite Training Center
"Being a coach, I fortunately have the knowledge to put together a workout with minimal equipment, with my tool of choice being the kettlebell. It's a go-to for me and my clients as it's small enough to fit into any apartment. With some basic coaching, it delivers a full body-strength and cardio workout. However, with our lives turned upside down, I struggle with motivation and structure like everyone else. The best way to beat this is accountability: team up with a few friends or a local gym and set some goals or challenges, such as hit five workouts in a week or build up to 20 push-ups."
— Jack Thomas, CEO and trainer at Base Bangkok
"I'm lucky because I have the equipment that I need so I have no problem training my clients and myself. As a personal trainer and professional athlete, I train almost every day. You have to set goals and go for it. No matter what it takes, you got to go for it. If you really want to change something, you're going to have to do something about it. You can't just stay still. Before you do start doing anything, set a goal and it will push you to achieve it."
— Suvit Suhamtarikul, personal trainer and men's physique athlete
