HOME WORK

A revolution of at-home workouts are keeping us toned and healthy

- TRINA EPILEPSIA BOUTAIN and MIA CASTRO

The at-home workout started out as a struggle. Without our coaches and yogis to guide us, many reached for years-old videos online or fitness apps that weren’t aware of old injuries for exercise guidance. Contrary to what Instagram may have shown us, most of us just aren’t confident or even able to execute a safe and effective workout at home, Instead we hobbled through wobbly pigeon poses and even wobblier rounds of HIIT. Thankfully, quick-minded experts got into the mode, using technology and on-demand service trends as their starting point.

Some turned garages or empty bedrooms into gyms and studios, while others rolled out a mat in their gardens to de-stress and stretch. Workout equipment sold out fast and virtual workout classes designed by experts became more popular. It wasn’t just for our bodies, but for our minds too. Here, we’ve rounded up the fitness trends that have adapted to the new normal, with safety and wellbeing in mind, and truly out-of-the-gym ideas that are here to stay.

STRETCH AND SCULPT

The beauty of reformative workouts such as Pilates is that it’s customized and personal, two things that were hard to come by when the community quarantine was enforced. Because it prioritizes form, a personal trainer is necessary to make sure your spine and limbs are aligned properly. And there’s also with the matter Pilates’ main equipment, the reformer; it’s not cheap, needs special training to operate it, and cannot simply be ordered online—until now that is.