For most of the past year, people are coping with abrupt, unexpected change. Exercise is something you can continue at home, even if you don’t have access to any equipment. I want to give several workout suggestions. I want to remind you that caring for your body is caring for your soul. If you find yourself anxious and fixated on the latest news updates, do your mind a favor and work your body out.
Make the effort at home now to incorporate some regular workout times. I would encourage believers to make the most of extended days around the house. Instead of wasting hours, spend extra time in Bible reading and prayer. Our God is sovereign over all things and promises to be a refuge in times of trouble. Being unsure and fearful is natural right now, but if our faith is real, then it should grow in such challenging times. Christians can also strive to be a source of calm and peace to our unbelieving friends, family and other believers, even while practicing social distancing. Who knows what kind of spiritual revival God could bring out of these unpredictable times if we submit our worries to Him, trust Him with the future and share the hope of the gospel with others.
If you’re not sure what some of these movements are, Google can help out. For reps and sets, unless I’ve indicated otherwise, stick to 3 sets of 12 or 15 reps. Get your family or neighbors involved in these workouts, too.
3 workouts with no equipment
1. Complete as many rounds as possible in 8-9 minutes for 3 rounds
15 jump squat — 10 plank twists
15 sidekicks — 10 full sit-ups
15 shoulder taps — 10 knee repeaters
15 1 foot jumps — 10 elbow pushups
15 wall sit kicks — 10 planks w/alt. arm raise
2. 4 sets – 15 reps
Squat, calf raise, backward walking lunge, 1-minute wide plank
3. Complete as many rounds as possible in two, 7-minute rounds
1st round: 15 froggers, 10 squat jumps, 15 dead bugs
2nd round: 15 lunge jumps, 10 shoulder pushups, 15 seated twists
3 workouts needing running/ walking/stair access
1. 45-second run with 30 step-ups after each round of 3 sets
Walking lunge and pushup
Plank twist and bent over T-row
Side squat and lateral raise
2. Complete 6 rounds
15-second sprint, 7 burpees, 30 seconds on stairs, 7 squats
Next core work: Hold each 25 seconds for 2-3 rounds
Bicycle, hollow hold, side plank (each side), superman hold, plank foot tap, leg raise
3. Complete as many rounds as you can of both exercises in 4-5 minutes
1 lap and 10 burpees
15 squat and 10 plank V ups
15 dumbbell clean to press and 10 dead bugs
10 inchworms and 10 Frankensteins
15 wall sit calf raises and 15 mountain climbers
3 workouts with dumbell or resistance band access
Workout 1: Goblet squat, alternating chest press, leg press up
Split squat, alternating bent-over row, superman swimmer
Z press, reverse curl, mountain climber
Workout 2: Romanian deadlift, alternating lunge, calf raise
Chest press, chest fly, triceps kickback
Bent over row, reverse fly, upright row
Workout 3: Lower: back lunge to 1 leg deadlift (do reps on one side & switch), squat to calf raise
Core: plank bird dog and butterfly sit up
Upper: chest press, 1 arm row, skull crusher, hammer curl
Core: seated twist and plank shift
Lainey Greer is a Ph.D. student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Her blog is https://greerlainey.wixsite.com/ embodiment/my-blog
Lainey Greer