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Workout videos: How university students can stay active during COVID-19
11 Apr 2020
Currently in lockdown? You don’t need to climb to your apartment rooftop to do jumping jacks or do marathons in your driveway to keep fit.
It’s time to dust off that sports bra or exercise mat and start getting back on track with your #fitnessgoals by watching a live workout video.
For international students used to hitting the gym or working out with friends, it can be difficult to keep up with your fitness during this time.
Pandemic or not, you don’t want all that hard work to go to waste — plus, it’s a good idea to continue your exercising habit so you can keep your immune system healthy. It’s also a great way to pass the time!
There are so many workout videos out there, there’s really no excuse to not work out at all when you’ve been quarantined or if you’re in Singapore, in a circuit-breaker.
Following a live video is an excellent way to keep you motivated and fit, as it encourages a community-like atmosphere and makes you feel like you’re in a group exercise class.
Fitness instructor Jamie Benedik conducts a fitness class in the driveway of her home on March 26, 2020 in West Islip, New York. He is an instructor at three gyms in her area but they are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. As more and more Americans are social distancing, people are finding creative ways to exercise. Source: Al Bello/Getty Images via AFP
It’s also never been easier to create or follow a live video thanks to portals like Zoom, Instagram Live and Facebook Live.
Sandra Woo, a top fitness influencer in Malaysia who posts live videos on the reg, shared her thoughts on why it’s a good idea to follow a live video in isolation or lockdown.
A Malaysian yoga practitioner and rhythm cycling instructor, she often hosts live videos for her followers on Zoom.
She also records them and later posts them on Instagram Live so those who missed out can watch them later.
In an interview with Study International, she noted that the rise in consumption of online content almost overnight has turned out to be quite an interesting phenomenon.
“I guess the appeal of live workout videos lies in the real-time interactive factor between the personality and the viewer. Going live allows the interaction to be personal, conversational, responsive and relatable,” she said.
“And it’s free.”
Sandra keeps her followers engaged during the live workout videos by acknowledging feedback from viewers, and communicating with them to understand what people really want from online content.
She sees approximately more than 2,000 views on her videos in 24 hours and has seen a definite increase since Malaysians were issued a Movement Control Order given the pandemic.
Challenges that Sandra faces in hosting live workout videos involve setting and lighting, framing, Internet connection, and sound, but she makes do with a mini makeshift production set despite having limited knowledge and experience on shooting the content with quality and consistency.
Sandra also says that nothing beats attending a physical class with a good teacher who can offer hands-on adjustments and answer questions that you have during the class, but there are benefits of watching a workout video.
She said, “Whether live or pre-recorded, for example on IG Live, where the live content is usually saved and viewable for 24 hours after anyway, [it] allows people to re-watch the content and apply the instructions to practice when they’re on their own.”
Two women practise yoga at a house in Santiago on April 1, 2020 during the lockdown ordered by the Chilean government to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Source: Martin Bernetti/AFP
Woo also said that its important that international students stay active and healthy during this time.
“Just get moving. Vary your movement patterns, discover new workouts, learn new skills and use this time to be intentional about what we feed our bodies and our brains. Honour rest time, use this time to heal and recover from the grind too.”
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