The rise of the WFH

In recent years, and especially in recent weeks, working from home has shifted from a luxury to a societal (and professional) norm. In fact, 24% of people who work remotely even just once a month notice benefits like increased happiness and productivity.  

With the rise of more people taking their jobs from the office to the abode, it’s almost too easy to “stay casual” when you aren’t physically showing up somewhere. With brands focusing on dressing these remote workers (the crossroads of athleisure and casualwear, aptly titled, “relaxwear,” or “roomwear”), it’s important to remember not to let yourself get too comfortable. Staying active while you work from home, and keeping your wellness as a priority, is of great importance... especially right now.  

[Book virtual classes on Mindbody to keep you well during extended work-from-home periods]
 

Fitness at home—how to get started 

If your favorite gym or fitness studio is temporarily closed, you're probably worried about staying in shape so you can come back stronger than ever when it reopens. Exercising at home doesn’t mean you need to invest in thousands of dollars of gym equipment, from kettlebells and bench presses, to converting your garage into a blissed-out Zen experience for hours and hours of yoga. (Though, right about now, that Zen yoga palace sounds pretty nice). Starting a workout routine at home can be easy. You might be surprised to know that you 100% already have the equipment you need to get going: Your body.  

[Search virtual in your area (and beyond) on Mindbody.io!]

Set your schedule.
While 24 hours seems like a good chunk of time, truth is, it almost never feels like enough. The best way to get going with your WFH fitness routine is to make time for yourself. It’s easier said than done, we know, but if you can start by finding a set time each day dedicated to exercise, you’re already on the path to a healthier, and happier, lifestyle.  

How to set time for yourself: 
-  Set your morning alarm one hour earlier and knock that workout off your to-do list ASAP.
-  Block off time on your calendar, so you're reminded when it’s time to get that stretch sesh in.
-  Make your lunch break your workout break.

Find a workout routine that works for you 

You don’t have to invest in expensive equipment or complete home renovations to all the benefits of your WFH workout routine. (If you’ve already made your basement into a weight room, kudos! You probably know what we’re about to say.) Setting your dedicated time to fitness is only half the battle. Now comes the real fun part: The actual workout. Start off easy with some simple bodyweight exercises that only require a pair of gym shoes, your workout clothes, and a little balance.  

To give you a taste of what you’re in for (and a starting point to build a bigger, more robust routine), we teamed up with The Bar Method to offer a full-body workout you can do in your living room! In less than 10-minutes, you’ll get a mini Bar Method experience that’ll target your whole body in just the right order for maximum results. If you’re a Bar Method regular, use these workouts to keep flexing those muscles, so you’re ready to get back in the studio eventually. And if you’re a barre newbie, don’t worry. These workouts are simple, effective, and easy to follow. So, push that coffee table aside and check them out. 
 

1. Upper body: 

In this video, you’ll hit push-ups, pulses, planks, and reverse push-ups to tone and sculpt all those upper body muscles. When you go to reach for something in the morning, you’ll feel it and think of us! 
 

2. Second Position Lunges: 

Next, you’ll learn how to do second position lunges to work our outer and frontal quads. They may look easy, but they definitely aren’t. Hint: If you’re shaking, you’re doing it right! 
 

3. Pretzel Workout: 

Despite the name, there’s nothing yummy about this workout. You’ll feel the burn in your glutes and hamstrings, on your way to a lifted and sculpted booty you can rock everywhere. 
 

4. Straight Leg Clam Workout: 

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about abs. In this fan favorite, you’ll target your core, obliques, and lower abs. Trust us, you’ll feel this tomorrow. 

This is just one example of a simple workout you can do daily to keep you active and in motion during times when it may seem like a better idea to curl up on the couch. And it’s one you can do in a matter of minutes in case you’re crunched for time. 

If you are looking for a different type of workout, we have you covered! Find all sorts of virtual classes, from mat pilates and yoga, to HIIT and even meditation, on Mindbody today! 

However, we know some of you may be looking for a more intense work out at home to really sweat out the stress and potential anxiety. If you need some more ideas, check out the Fitness page of our Mindbody blog to find a workout that’s right for you.  

• Thinking of training like a professional athlete during your time at home? Yeah, we’ve got that.  
• How about some binge-worthy shows to coincide with your workouts? Next episode, please.
• Maybe you’re leaning towards discovering which type of workout is best for your zodiac sign. We get it. And we have that.
• Finally, to really get your body in motion, you’re going to need a good workout playlist. Lucky for you, we have the perfect set of those right here.  

How to keep your brain fresh and your productivity high 

A big part of staying home means finding ways to keep your body and mind fresh. It’s so easy to fall into a routine of, “Wake up, open computer, work, skip lunch, stand up only to go to the bathroom, work more, don’t go outside, eat dinner, watch Netflix with laptop in lap, go to bed with computer, repeat.” 

However, it’s important to take the necessary steps to keep yourself motivated and refreshed throughout the day. Remember: 

Create a healthy morning routine for yourself. 
Instead of going right to your home office, take a breath in the morning and get in a good walk, make a cup of coffee, or get your workout in first thing. This will help you clear your head before diving into the day’s tasks.  

Stay social (responsibly). 
Working from home carries with it a certain level of isolation. But in a time of social distancing, there are ways to keep in touch with your coworkers, friends, and family. Hop on Facetime calls, overshare, schedule remote meetups that aren’t work-related, host a Netflix viewing party. Get creative while staying safe.  

Be Positive. 
This one may be the most important. Whether you’re working from home for personal reasons or are under mandatory orders to do so, one thing to keep in mind is your outlook on life. During uncertain times, it’s easy to fall into negative pitfalls. It’s also easy to forget that tonality is sometimes lost in writing correspondences. So, make sure you stay upbeat, use an exclamation mark when you can, find an emoji you love (preferably a smiling one), and remember, we’re all in this together.  

Getting your fitness in while working from home is possible if you remember one thing: You don’t have to do it all at once. Start simple with a new routine. Once you’re comfortable there, try to add something new into the mix (an extra lunge or jumping jack, adding weights, making more coffee, etc.) Eventually, you’ll have a new wellness routine that will keep your mind fresh, your muscles active, and your outlook positive (so you can show off in your first group fitness class post-quarantine).

[Mindbody now offer virtual classes. Find one today!]

Have any work-from-home workout tips to share with the community? Be sure to show us by posting them on your Instagram story and tagging @mindbody!