ATHABASCA – Unlike the characters on the television show The Walking Dead, isolated people living in a pandemic-stricken world can’t get exercise by fending off zombies, but they still need to stay fit.
With more and more services and businesses in Alberta making their way on to the "non-essential" list due to the COVID-19 pandemic last week, Athabasca-area trainers like Jon LeMessurier are coming up with innovative ways to reach out to community members to help keep their fitness goals in tact and maintain good mental health through exercise. LeMessurier recently took to posting videos on his Baseline Training Facebook page giving tips on how to work out with household items.
“The big thing is to show people that you don't need a bunch of machines to do exercise,” he said. “For a total body workout all you will really need is bodyweight or set of dumbbells and in place of dumbbells use soup cans, whatever you can find around the house.”
LeMessurier also reinforced that exercise is good for the mind as well as the body, and that may be more important than ever as the world is behind closed doors trying to avoid the highly contagious virus.
“The biggest thing right now with people having to be isolated at home is not just the physical benefits that you're going to get from (exercise) but more importantly, the mental benefits in just feeling better right now while being cooped up inside,” he stressed. “That's not going help with people's anxiety and mental health but exercise is really important for that.”
LeMessurier has even incorporated toilet paper into a couple of his videos, poking some fun at the hoarding that has been happening.
“I haven’t just used toilet paper, I’ve used stuff around the house,” he laughed.
He also points out that going outside for a walk or run is still an option as long as people maintain social distancing.
“I've been seeing quite a few people in Cornwall being out and active; there's definitely been some that have gone out with friends and still maintain their six or 10 feet,” he said. “Just the accountability too is important; having somebody else that you can say ‘Let's call each other and keep each other accountable for what we've done each day.’”
LeMessurier is also planning on reaching out to clients over the Internet, including residents at Pleasant Valley Lodge.
"I'm going to be starting that next week with some of my clients – especially with the Pleasant Valley Lodge – I'm going to be videoing in with them and exercising with them live,” he said. “They can have groups of five at the max, but I'm looking forward to being able to get those classes going again.”
Always one to give back to the community LeMessurier is also working on videos to post on his company's Facebook page for anyone to access, as well as some live workout sessions.
"I'm going to go live from home and all you need is a set of weights or just yourself and we'll go through a half-hour workout,” he explained. “It's just about giving back to the community sometimes too not just always having to make money.”
Heather Stocking, TownandCountryToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @HLSox
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