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Written by: Kaleena Yeung BSc, MScPT, Registered Physiotherapist
With gyms and recreational facilities being closed as well as our necessity for physical distancing right now it has been difficult to continue with a normal exercise schedule. Keeping physically active is important for both our physical and mental health, not to mention if we’re trying to recovery from an injury. Here are some suggestions to try to help you achieve your fitness goals.
What can I do with minimal equipment at home? Here are some exercise suggestions for general fitness goals that don’t require any equipment. Remember if you are recovering from injury or have any physical/health restrictions it’s best to first consult with a physiotherapist or healthcare professional to determine what is best for you.
Great for lower body and glute strength training
Standing on one foot on the edge of a step slowly let your unsupported leg drop toward the floor without bending your stance knee and without touching your foot to the ground. Then using your glute on your stance leg pull your leg back up so that your hips/pelvis are square again.
Good progression for the pelvic/hip drop exercise
Standing on the edge of a step (facing the step this time) slowly bend your stance knee letting your non stance leg lower towards the ground without touching the ground. Then using your stance leg pull yourself back up into the starting position.
Great for scapular strength training
Lying on your stomach, you can use a rolled towel under your forehead for support, pull your shoulder blades down and away from your ears without lifting your chest from the ground. Then a) with your arms at your sides slowly raise them off the ground, pause and slowly lower; b) with your arms out to the side in a T position and your thumbs pointing towards the ceiling, slowly raise your arms off the ground, pause and slowly lower; c) with your arms overhead in a “superman” position, slowly raise them off the ground, pause and slowly lower.
A
B
C
Great for upper body as well as core strength training
You can do this from your knees, from your feet, on an incline using a bench or on a wall. Try to keep your back relatively straight and prevent your head/neck from “poking” forward as you bend and straighten your arms.
Great for core strength training
Lying on your back, gently press the small of your back towards the ground just until you feel your abdominal muscles turn on, keep them on while you raise and bend both knees and hold both arms in front of you. Then slowly lower your opposite arm and leg towards the ground without touching the ground, pause and then return to the start position. Repeat using the opposite arm and leg. This should be done with minimal movement in your torso (ie. no rolling, swaying or lifting your back from the ground).
Great for some cardio as well as working on some dynamic movements progressing on the exercises above
You can create a ladder using loose sticks from your backyard or any household item to create targets to step over. Ideas for several movement patterns will be easy to find with a quick internet search. This is an example of a side step shuffle. I would definitely suggest looking up a video, it’s hard to demonstrate using pictures.
Reps for all exercise should be done to fatigue or when proper movement patterns start to decline. You can do to 3-4 sets; 3-4 times per week is sufficient.
The most important advice I can give is to do your exercises well and with purpose. Speeding through your exercises might have some cardio benefits but from a movement/strength training perspective you are unlikely to see improvements. It is more beneficial to do fewer reps well than to do many reps poorly.
Finally, with many people now required to work from home, participating in a daily exercise routine can also be beneficial to break up your work day and get you up from your desk.
Kaleena joined GRSM in June 2013. She graduated with her Master of Science degree in Physiotherapy from Queen’s University in 2008. Prior to that she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with the Health Professions option at the University of Waterloo in 2006. Since graduating Kaleena has worked in a multi-disciplinary clinic environment treating various patient populations and injuries.
Kaleena has completed her Kinesio Taping training and is a Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner. She is continuing her post-graduate education and certification focusing on manual therapy and acupuncture.
Kaleena grew up in Kitchener-Waterloo and continues to stay involved in the community through coaching minor boys and girls hockey. She is an avid sports fan and keeps active by playing hockey, soccer and volleyball recreationally.
As social distancing continues in response to COVID-19, we feel it is important to provide ways to continue care for our existing patients and to provide opportunities to start treatment for new patients.
Although we cannot open our physical doors, continued treatment and new assessments are available through virtual rehabilitation. This form of treatment may be very new to some, but others in our field have been practicing virtual rehabilitation for years in remote areas, in pelvic health and with clients who have trouble travelling to a clinic. Virtual assessment and treatment is completed in the comfort of your own home with flexibility in timing, either face to face on a secure platform or over the phone.
Due to the importance of providing continued care during these unprecedented times, most insurance companies now provide coverage for virtual rehabilitation. We do however encourage everyone to confirm this with their insurance provider.
If you are still not sure if virtual rehab is right for you, email us at virtual@grsm.ca. One of our registered physiotherapists will connect with you to discuss your personal rehab needs.
Are you experiencing headaches with things like reading or computer tasks? It might be because of small muscles in your neck? Check out this quick tip to learn more!
This patient came in with a painful and disturbing clunking sensation while reaching overhead. With his consistency you can see his progress through his injury rehabilitation.
Many people don’t realize that they can come in BEFORE they have pain. You don’t have to wait until the pain effects your quality of life to come to physio.
