Regular physical activity remains an important strategy for everyone, young and old, for staying healthy. Being active helps lower stress, increase energy, and improve sleep. It not only helps you lose weight, it also helps control your appetite. Best of all, it can help prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure.
May is National Physical Activity and Sports Month, and this year we are in a time when we have been asked to shelter in place, thereby avoiding gyms altogether and possibly outdoor physical activity. So how do we stay active while indoors and practicing social distancing? Read "RX for Health—Staying Active During Coronavirus Pandemic" for guidance and tips from the American College of Sports Medicine.
To help you meet your goals, Johns Hopkins has a variety of virtual fitness classes, whether you're looking for a high-energy cardio workout, need a strengthening and toning class, or want to calm your mind with yoga.
JHU Wellness Programs
JHU Wellness Programs is offering Cardio Fusion, Muscle Toning and Conditioning, Mindfulness Meditation, Yoga, and Zumba, plus a trio of new specialty yoga offerings: Chair Yoga, Yoga Somatics, and Alignment Yoga. You also can try a new high intensity workout, Strong Nation, developed by Zumba Fitness. Benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and bargaining unit members pay only $20 for unlimited classes each month. Visit the JHU Wellness Programs website to register.
Ralph S. O'Connor Recreation Center
The O'Connor Recreation Center's free virtual group fitness classes include F45 Strength, J.U.M.P., POP Pilates, Yoga for Athletes, and more. You can download the Johns Hopkins Recreation app from the Apple App Store or Google Play to view the schedule and access Zoom links. For more information, visit the O'Connor Rec website.
Cooley Center
The Cooley Center is hosting free virtual classes that include Backpack & Chair Workout, Core & More, HIIT, Nia, Pilates, and others. Visit the Cooley website for the class schedule.
Resources for Living, through mySupport
As a university employee you have access through mySupport to a wealth of fitness and nutrition information from Resources for Living. If you need some help on your fitness journey, you can find information on strategies by visiting its COVID-19 resource center; also check out its video health library for 45-second-to-three-minute workouts. When logging in, use JHU for both the username and password.
Additional resources to help you stay motivated
A reminder: As always, if you have been inactive or have health conditions, you should talk to your primary care provider before beginning a new exercise routine. Here are some additional resources to help you get moving:
- National Physical Fitness & Sports Month
- YMCA health and fitness videos
- Move Your Way activity planner
Posted in Health+Well-Being
Tagged hr newswire
