I’m sure we are all aware and a little too familiar with the words “social distancing” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve been social distancing since the first week of spring break began, stuck inside my house and confined to the small outdoor space. It wasn’t until after our second week of spring break began that I realized I won’t get my track season back.

In the beginning, I was devastated. It’s not easy to throw on my track spikes and run precisely 800 meters on my neighborhood sidewalk. Moreover, I can’t put my spikes on the concrete or Coach Olford would be very upset. However, after I finished moping over not being able to hear my friends and family cheer me on as I sprint the last lap, I thought it would be best to try and stay in shape. And the more I thought about it, I came to the realization that as a reporter on the newspaper staff, I could share ways for the whole school to stay in shape while stuck inside as well.

Whether you are choosing to social distance or not (which I really hope you are; it’s the smartest decision to make), here is a list of different exercises to get your heart pumping and blood flowing in your home or outside. 

• Run a mile, or two, or three. 
• 3 sets of 25 crunches. 
• 4 sets of 30 second planks. 
• 30 squats
• 15 lunges each leg
• 3 sets of 25 bicycle crunches
• 4 sets of 10 pushups
• Single leg lifts
• 3 sets of 30 second Mountain climbers
• 2 sets of 20 squat jumps
• 4 sets of 10 pushups
• 3 sets of 10 bicep curls (with dumbell or any weighted thing you have in your home, like a water bottle)

To make the most of it, you can make an exercise bingo card or bucket list to check off as you go, get a happy playlist of songs going, listen to a podcast, turn on your favorite show or movie to watch, or get your family to do them with you. Afterwards, don’t forget to wash your hands and drink plenty of water.

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