By Connie Lewis
There is a rhythm to training. What seems hard at first becomes more than habit the more you do it. At some point, you reach a place where you can’t imagine missing a day of training at the gym. But suddenly everything came to a halt, altering your usual training routine. Coronavirus closed gyms for nearly two months, and while many are now open with social distancing rules in place, you may still be hesitant to one. Are there other ways to train and be safe? The answer is yes. Denise Druce has been a fitness instructor, student, and now instructor of instructors for 40 years. For 20 of those years, she’s owned and operated health clubs with her husband, Michael Druce. “I’ve worn spandex to work every day, making a living out of doing what I love and keeping people healthy,” Denise says.
Stay Fit, But Stay Solo How to Keep Training While Social Distancing
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During the last 20 years, she’s gravitated to yoga, finding it a good workout for “an aging body.” She trains yoga teachers through her school, Yoga Assets. A lifelong learner, Denise figures she’s earned every single industry certification—along with working with thousands of people over the years. Denise sees the current social distancing regulations as a chance to try new things and make new healthy habits. “Go to bed at a decent hour, wake up at a decent hour, eat healthier, and try some of the things you always wished you had time to try,” she says. Staying active can also help manage stress, which can be a killer. “Whatever is happening with the body’s immune system, stress makes it worse,” Denise says. “A strong immune system comes from working out.” So what are some of the options? A great place to start is going outside. Just breathing the fresh air instead of the stale air in your cooped up spaces at home can make a difference. Go for a walk, a jog, a run, or a hike. Bonus: take your dog along. Michael loves the Stairmaster at the gym but found an alternative at Sugar House Park. He takes a spin around the park and then sprints up the hills to get the same workout as when he’s on the Stairmaster. He also stops and does some pushups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. Many local parks have built-in fitness trails with equipment to work your whole body. Be sure to sanitize any park equipment you use. If the weather keeps you home, Denise suggests breaking out old exercise equipment that’s just gathering dust. Pull out the treadmills, the bands you bought on TV, the kettlebells, and get to work. There are plenty of free online platforms, apps, or YouTube videos if you want to follow along with an instructor. “Since you are home anyway, now is the time to dedicate to those workouts people always say they don’t have time for,” says Denise. “No more excuses.”
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