How can you stay fit in these difficult times?

Now that sports clubs and gyms have closed and we have to stay at home as much as possible, it’s hard for some people to keep on exercising. So, how can you make sure you stay fit?

Some people will have fallen into holiday mode, lying around on the sofa with a bag of crisps and Netflix. And there are no more sprints to the train or cycling to work. That’s why we have set out a few tips for you.

Turn your living room into a mini-gym
You can do all sorts of exercises at home, including lunges, squats and wall-sits. Want to make the exercises a bit harder? Incorporate a heavy object, or use a fitness ball. This will help you improve balance and strength. A little creativity goes a long way. Struggling to find the motivation to go it alone? Then use online sports lessons to help you. Try the Nike Training Club apps or VirtuaGym; they offer varied workouts instructions.

Eat healthy
The most important thing is to keep a varied diet, to sustain your body’s natural resistance. If you eat a healthy diet, you’ll feel better overall. The extra time you have can be put to good use trying out new (healthy) recipes.

Housework is also exercise
You burn lots of calories when you’re doing housework. In these times of coronavirus, it’s best to clean items that are touched frequently on a much more regular basis. Did you know, for example, that you can burn 250 calories per hour when vacuuming? And half an hour washing windows will burn off around 153 calories. During your working routine, you could plan in a few household chores and stay fit at the same time.

Online yoga
There are plenty of videos online that you can follow from the comfort of your living room. Do this for 10 minutes per day to maintain your physical and mental balance. All you need is a mat and a suitable space in your home. Why not make a start with the Daily Yoga app, for example? The app is suitable for both beginners and experienced yoga practitioners.

Walking or cycling
At the moment, you are still allowed to go outside. But it is important that you abide by the guidelines from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). You should ideally walk or cycle alone, maintain distance from others and cough or sneeze into your elbow. When working from home, you could also walk around the block every now and then to maintain your concentration for longer.

How financially fit are you?
Besides a healthy life, you want a healthy pension. By staying aware of the pension market and react to it in a flexible way, we keep your pension in top condition. Do you already have a pension scheme with BeFrank? Then you can see how your pension is doing on your Personal Pension page. Here you will also find the most important updates. Do you not have a pension scheme with BeFrank yet? Ask your employer about the possibilities.