This August, we’re going back to basics. Even though gyms have opened back up for some, our focus for August is relative strength and body weight exercises. I was so excited to lift weights again for the past month that I forgot to maintain my conditioning and flexibility. Stiffness and shortness of breath are two feelings that people would rather avoid. So, what exactly is the use your body challenge?
Quite simply, the idea is to move as much as possible. Yoga, running, jumping, martial arts, stretching, jogging, sprinting, push-ups, pull-ups, planks, walking, and countless other exercises require no equipment. They can be done in your own home or in an outside area where you can socially distance yourself properly. If you’re concerned with doing dips and chin-ups using the monkey bars at your local park, make sure to bring a towel, gloves and sanitizer. Obviously, don’t forget your mask.
Don’t focus too much on rest periods, perceived exertion or the overall intensity in your sessions. Many people have plenty of time so focus on proper technique and recording your successful repetitions using that great form. Once your technique starts to break down, call it a day, or move on to a different exercise that uses another group of muscles. Add up your numbers for the week and try to beat those numbers the following week. For stretches, try to hold a certain position for 25 seconds instead of 20. Add 5 more seconds every week and try to hold it for 40 seconds by the end of the month. Remember, stretching shouldn’t be painful but you should feel slight discomfort. Also, be cautious with static stretching exercises before you’ve given those muscles enough time to warm up by letting blood, oxygen and other nutrients pass through them.
Finally, be very mindful about the heat. August is the hottest month of the year for most of the United States. While some countries are experiencing, we most certainly are not anywhere close to that here in New Orleans. Do not push yourself too far and make sure you avoid overheating. We’re not trying to turn you into a member of the Spartan army; we’re just trying to help you get through these tough months without falling too far behind. Remember, the goal is to make progress on your own numbers. Stay hungry and fit by using your body to move more this month!
(I started easy today and just casually did about 200 pull-ups, over the course of an hour or so. If that doesn’t sound fun, TRY THIS INSTEAD.)
