Keep fit while you're at home

GEORGE NEWS - For those who are not still working full-time during the 21-day lockdown, the time could be used to get fit and build muscle tone by working out at home or in the garden.

Jogging in the streets is banned, gyms have closed and of course other sport, exercise and dance classes are also out of the question.

Mossel Bay Advertiser, George Herald's sister publication, asked local fitness expert Tracy Fenn for tips on keeping fit during the lockdown.

She advises that you set an alarm for a regular workout time. "Either dust off that treadmill, blast music and dance for 45 minutes, or do one of your favourite online fitness classes," she suggests.

"It really helps to keep those endorphins going for overall mood and well-being. Stretching and strengthening goes a long way in maintaining good health and feeling comfortable in your body."

Fenn is the owner and instructor of a Pilates studio in Mossel Bay.

"Weighted dips" and hamstring stretches will keep your legs and arms in shape, according to Marulin Goodger.

Eight portions of vegetables
In terms of overall health, she says one should remain hydrated and aim to eat eight portions of vegetables per day. Frozen, tinned and dried vegetables also count, Tracy assures.

She is even offering Pilates classes online during the lockdown, via the social, meeting and sharing app, Zoom.

"Some regular clients are logging in for their usual classes. I send an invite out through Zoom. They set up their mat in a quiet spot in their homes, click on the link and we're on our way."

Tracy says her clients know Pilates works well. This, together with the facts that she is aware of their injuries and medical history, and that they are accustomed to her verbal cues and teaching style, is what keeps them exercising with her during lockdown.

Gym instructor Marulin Goodger shows some moves one can do at home.

Working well
"I would say it's working well so far," she says. "We're getting there, after some trial and error, it must be said. I can hear and see them; they can hear and see me; and there's still loads of correcting, motivating and encouraging going on."

In fact, 60% of her clients have continued exercising with her during the lockdown via Zoom.

Co-owner of a gym in town and a fitness and martial arts expert, Marulin Goodger, has been sending photos to her clients of exercise poses so that they can continue exercising during the lockdown.

The exercises are easy to do in a confined space and require no gym equipment. Marulin and her husband, Phillip, own the Tiger Kai gym and mixed martial arts centre.

Gym instructor Marulin Goodger shows some moves one can do at home.