Some patients have told me that they can’t work out because their gym
is closed. Pre-COVID-19, this
can’t-work-out syndrome was blamed on other factors (time, weather, bad knees, and
so on) but it simply represents a fundamental misunderstanding of exercise.
The fact is, exercise is another form of hygiene; a self-care activity
to improve immunity, reduce inflammation, help prevent unnecessary disease, and
improve our quality of life. We brush
our teeth twice a day, so we can take two minutes to exercise twice a day! Like any important act of hygiene, exercise can
be done in any scenario. Don’t get me
wrong – gyms are great: lots of extra equipment, often a fun atmosphere, and
good social interaction. However, what
about when the gym is closed?
My recommendation:
Do whatever it takes to be able to exercise under any
circumstance. Love lifting weights? Buy some – or use something you already have,
like a couple of milk jugs filled with water.
Can’t live without the rowing machine at the gym? Get one and put it in your living room – or achieve
the same results with simple resistance bands.
Favor minimalism? Get a jump
rope, medicine ball, and pull-up bar, throw in some jumping jacks, go for a brisk
walk outside. . . there are virtually endless home work-out options if we just
get creative. (For more ideas, see Let’s Move More! on pages 70-74 in Good
Food, Great Medicine, 4th edition.) Exercise is too important to be neglected
at a time like this. It’s another form
of hygiene: let’s treat it like one!
David
Ellis MD
