Editor’s Note:
Our ‘Keeters are finding new and creative ways to keep themselves busy while we adjust to the “new normal” of working from home. Many of our employees are physically active, and would normally be hitting up one of the many gyms in Syracuse, including Aspen Athletic Club, as part of Terakeet’s employee fitness benefit. Similarly, many gyms are pivoting, like Aspen Athletic Club to offer live workouts and fitness advice to members during this time.
We wanted to know what our fitness-minded ‘Keeters were doing to keep up their normal activity levels, adjust to indoor workout routines, and take their minds off current events. So we asked them! Read their answers below.
Q1: How are you staying fit while staying inside?
Michaela Martin (Digital Outreach Specialist):
“I think staying active while working from home is so important. Movement allows us to keep our spirits up in a crazy time like this. I wake up every morning and start my day with some sort of workout routine. I either use my resistance bands to do some strength training or I do a core workout with a yoga mat and an ab wheel. I haven’t used Aspen Athletic Club’s live workouts yet, but I will start incorporating those into my routine as well!”
Maeve Byrne (Sr. Digital Outreach Specialist & Team Lead):
“I try to at least do one active thing a day. I’ll take the dog for a really long walk around the neighborhood, do some exercises at home, or my fiancé [and I] will take our dog to a park near our house with nobody there [so we can] run around. While my fiancé throws a tennis ball for our dog to run after, I’ll do jumping jacks, squats, or lunges until he makes it back, then start over again.”
Nolan Wiginton (Accountant):
“My garage used to be a complete mess. I took time over the weekend to completely organize it and make room for all of my workout gear. Something that took me 3 years to accomplish, yikes. Now that I have [space] for my gear, I feel like I have my personal workout area to destress and get a good workout going. I have a CrossFit® instructor that is providing at-home WODS (workout of the day). Not only am I using those, but I follow my favorite CrossFit® athletes on social media and they are always posting workouts. I get creative and combine my favorites moves to make my own WODs as well.
I don’t have many weights, but I do have resistance bands, weighted vests, and have been using bodyweight for my workouts. Aspen Athletic Club [virtual] workouts have also been a useful component of at-home fitness. I have done the mobility workouts via Zoom and it’s something that [can be done] to help increase range of motion. I usually start my day with mobility to prevent injury when it comes time for my more intense workouts in the evenings.”
Nicole Burun (HR Administrator):
“I’ve been going on daily walks and doing at-home workouts. Aspen Athletic Club and ‘Cuse Camp post workout videos daily which are pretty easy to do from the comfort of home. I have also been starting each morning with Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. I feel like my morning yoga flow has been the most helpful [exercise] during the last few weeks.”
Lindsay Moran (Digital Content Specialist):
“I have been working one-on-one with a coach for the last two months, so I’ve been lucky enough to have her adjust my workouts to incorporate any equipment I have at home. I’ve had to get creative with couches, chairs, and other random furniture I can utilize in place of typical gym equipment (gallons of water also make great weights). Resistance bands and dumbbells have been my best friends, plus looking up a lot of at-home routines on YouTube to supplement [my other routines]. Walking around my neighborhood has also been a good way to clear my head and get out of the house while still [practicing] social distancing.”
Erin Gafner (Senior Project Manager):
“I miss going to the gym, big time! I prefer to go to the gym in the morning so I typically go at 5 AM so that I can reserve my evenings after work for family time. It’s been a struggle for me to do at-home workouts instead of physically going to the gym. But, I’ve been getting up and doing my workouts like I normally would in my make-shift basement gym, which has helped me to maintain some sort of normalcy during quarantine [this shift in routine].
The trainers at my 24-hour gym (Edge Strength & Conditioning) are posting WODs for members and their social media followers to do with limited and/or no equipment at home. Social media is a great resource right now. With gyms being closed nationwide, the facilities and trainers are using social media to share daily workouts. On Instagram, some of my favorite [workout accounts] that I follow are Julie Bauer Roth, Kelsey Wells, and Emily Sky Fit. Locally, I follow Power Pete Programming, Barrett Fitness CNY and Edge Syracuse.
Q2: What are your tips for consistency?
Michaela Martin (Digital Outreach Specialist):
“My tip for consistency is to do it in the morning before you do anything else. Waking up and getting your blood flowing with a quick workout will make you feel great. I’ve also found it helps set my day up to be more productive!”
Maeve Byrne (Sr. Digital Outreach Specialist & Team Lead):
“My tips for consistency for myself at least are to set goals for myself so that I can stick to them. If my goal is to get at least 5,000 steps in a day or to do 30 minutes of exercise, I’m going to be more committed to get off the couch and get active. Staying active is so important to stay physically and mentally healthy during a time when we’re stuck at home!”
Nolan Wiginton (Accountant):
“Don’t have the mindset that you need weights to get a good workout. Workouts using bodyweight will get the job done just as well. If you want to add weight, lift something up like a bag of dog food.. Not only that, but yoga is also an amazing workout and helps with flexibility/mobility. Youtube is an amazing resource! I also use Skype for some workouts so that friends of mine can join in. It’s nice to be able to see some friends from the gym and get that workout going together. It is all a mindset and once you get into a routine, things will naturally progress.”
Nicole Burun (HR Administrator):
“Set goals. If I was going to the gym I would have a goal of at least 3 times per week. I hold myself accountable to that goal, even at home.”
Lindsay Moran (Digital Content Specialist):
“It’s easiest to be consistent if you create a schedule and a designated space for workout activity. I make sure to block off an hour in my day for some kind of activity, whether it’s walking my dog around the neighborhood or doing a workout in my basement. It can be tough in close quarters, but I’ve found success in creating a workout area that is reserved for just that. It keeps me focused and free from any distractions.”
Erin Gafner (Senior Project Manager):
“My tips for consistency: set yourself up for success by preparing beforehand and on a weekly basis. I have a weekly planner [where I] mark the days I plan to exercise and check them off each day. It’s old school, but it helps keep myself accountable to a regular routine. Each night I lay out my workout clothes for the morning. I set an alarm. I get up. I’ve collected exercise equipment over the years so I have a decent setup now but you can easily do a wide variety of exercises with little to no equipment. You can modify and/or make substitutions for a lot of the large gym equipment with a simple pair of dumbbells, a kettlebell, and resistance bands. I’ve purchased a lot of these items used, or on Amazon. If you don’t have access to any gym equipment at home, you can walk, hike, run, or do some sprints outside … outdoors is free and still open.”
Q3: Is there anything you’ve noticed about the difference between working out at home vs. at a physical location?
Michaela Martin (Digital Outreach Specialist):
“Personally, I prefer to workout at the gym because I use that as part of my social interaction for the day. You’re always meeting new people at the gym and learning what they love [about] their workouts. Working out at home has simply made me more creative [in order to] to find new workouts … that target different areas.”
Maeve Byrne (Sr. Digital Outreach Specialist & Team Lead):
“The biggest difference I’ve noticed is that I don’t sweat as much at home as I do in the gym. Sweat to me equals working hard, so it was discouraging at first to not have access to the equipment I needed in order to get what I consider a good workout. It definitely took some time to adjust, but I just have to remind myself that I’ll eventually be able to get back to my old routine, and I just have to work with what I have for now!”
Nolan Wiginton (Accountant):
“Every gym has a unique atmosphere. I have always gone to a CrossFit® gym where there are group workouts and an instructor/coach helping you do your best. Not only that, but I always want to push myself to finish 1st in every workout. For me, at home workouts take a little more motivation and some good tunes to get myself in the [right] mindset. My weights/gear at home are not as impressive as what a gym provides and space is limited, but I have everything necessary to get a workout in and feel good about it. The plus side to working out alone is that you always finish 1st.”
Nicole Burun (HR Administrator):
“I do miss my ‘Cuse Camp family. When you go to the same class, day after day you make friends. I typically go to ‘Cuse Camp with another Terakeet employee (Racheal Morrow) and we always hold each other accountable to show up. One perk of being able to work from home is taking a 30-minute walk on my lunch break. It’s a great way to break up my day and get some fresh air.”
Lindsay Moran (Digital Content Specialist):
“I’ve actually been working out harder since I haven’t been able to get to the gym. I think there’s a heightened sense of accountability and a desire to work harder when you don’t have access to the equipment you typically would. It can be harder to get motivated when you know everything you need is a few steps away, but that also leaves no room for excuses if you have the right frame of mind.”
Erin Gafner (Senior Project Manager):
“I’ll never take for granted leaving the house again! But, I will say that I get my workouts done much quicker at home. Even though my gym is close to my house, I still plan for the time it takes to drive there and back, workout for at least 45 minutes, and then get ready for my day and my daughter’s day before work and school. Now that we’re all home, my mornings are less rushed. I’m trying to enjoy it while it lasts and be grateful for this time to slow down and be with my family. For me, exercising has been a major stress reliever during these uncertain times. I’m thankful that I’m healthy and still able to exercise my body and mind.”