Many people have had their daily dose of exercise decreased with the closure of gyms across the country due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
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However one local gym owner is making it his mission to help people stay motivated in isolation.
Vanguard Fitness owner and head coach Phil Evans has taken to an online platform to run his program and keep Vanguard's members moving.
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"The impact of COVID-19 has been a big one for us, we were working hard on providing a safe and clean space to train but then the government shut us down," he said.
He immediately developed an online platform to keep exercise a top priority for his clients.
"It was a stressful time but I've learnt and developed a lot of skills to manage in tough situations," he said.
Evans said exercise was still a number one priority when it came to stress relief and increasing happiness.
"Working from home and limited social outings mean we really aren't moving as much so I've developed some top tips to counter this," he said.
Evan's top tips include:
- Wake up and move - take the dog for a walk, do five rounds of five push ups, 10 sits ups and 15 squats or just three minutes of burpees.
- Start your day with water and a high protein breakfast - this will increase satiety and stop you doing laps to the fridge.
- Plan time for a workout - get a family member involved or a friend via FaceTime or Zoom for accountability.
- Get involved in an online health community - being surrounded with people heading in the same direction is a powerful tool.
- Think about future goals - where do you want to be at the end of this pandemic? Stressed and anxious, maybe a few kilos heavier or physically and mentally healthy, ready to rip into life and the fun things that have been put on hold?
Evans said he believed our health is in our hands.
"I understand motivation can be a difficult thing when in isolation but what better time to improve your health.
"Quality sleep, great nutrition and exercise provide the foundations for a healthy immune system," he said.
He said ways in which people could find motivation to exercise included engaging in a community that inspires you and holds you accountable.
"This can be done through joining an online fitness group or reaching out to your local gym," he said.
He also suggested people could challenge themselves.
"I'm sure everyone at some stage was told by their parents they couldn't watch their favourite show until they'd done the washing up or cleaned their room.
"Make a deal with yourself. No watching your favourite show or playing a game until you've walked 3km, done 10,000 steps or completed an hour workout," he said.
Evans said Vanguard were running online classes and providing video tutorials and encouraged people to reach out if they needed some direction.
"At Vanguard we pride ourselves on community and support to go with a quality progressive program that guarantees results.
"Please out if you need any help or direction with your health during this unprecedented time," he said.
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Alanna Tomazin
Alanna is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on education. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at alanna.tomazin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Alanna is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on education. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at alanna.tomazin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
