Physical fitness plays a vital role in maintaining your health. Regular exercise improves cardiovascular function, strengthens muscles and bones, boosts immune function, and enhances mental well-being. Engaging in physical activity also promotes better sleep patterns and overall quality of life.
The global challenge of physical inactivity:
Recent data highlights a concerning trend: nearly one third (31 percent) of adults worldwide, roughly 1.8 billion people, did not meet recommended levels of physical activity in 2022. This figure marks an increase of about 5 percentage points since 2010, with projections suggesting a rise to 35 percent by 2030. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasises the critical importance of regular physical activity in reducing risks such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and cancers such as breast and colon cancer. This deviation from global health targets underscores the need for you to prioritise physical activity to maintain your health and well-being.
Here are 6 innovative ways to keep you physically active during the monsoon:
Family fitness challenge: Organise virtual fitness challenges or online workout sessions tailored for the monsoon season. Encourage participation from friends, family members, and neighbours to create a supportive and motivating environment. This initiative not only promotes physical activity but also strengthens social connections.
Dance away your stress: Joining dance classes or workshops offers a vibrant way to stay active indoors during the monsoon. Whether you prefer classical dance, salsa, Tabata, or Bollywood dance, each style provides a fun and energetic workout. These sessions not only promote physical activity but also improve coordination, flexibility, and mood, making them an enjoyable fitness option for rainy days.
Make a splash: Aquatic exercises use indoor swimming pools or water aerobics classes to provide low-impact workouts that are gentle on joints yet offer a full-body workout. These exercises are particularly beneficial during the monsoon season when outdoor activities may be limited. For example, swimming laps can strengthen muscles and improve cardiovascular health without stressing the joints, while water aerobics classes combine resistance training and cardiovascular conditioning.
Set up your personal gym: Setting up a home gym allows you to create a dedicated space equipped with essential fitness gear like resistance bands, dumbbells, and yoga mats. This setup enables convenient workouts regardless of the weather outside, making it ideal for staying active during the monsoon. For instance, using resistance bands for strength training exercises such as bicep curls or incorporating dumbbells into squats and lunges can effectively build muscle and improve fitness.
Walk and shop: If you enjoy shopping, visiting a mall can double as a beneficial exercise opportunity. Mall walking provides safe and weather-proof sessions indoors, offering comfortable, climate-controlled environments. You don’t have to actually shop every time, as window shopping during mall visits allows you to enjoy brisk walks along mall corridors, taking advantage of smooth walking surfaces. This activity helps maintain physical activity levels, benefiting cardiovascular health while enjoying a leisurely stroll.
Virtual fitness apps: Virtual fitness apps provide interactive workouts, personalised fitness plans, and virtual coaching sessions that adapt to monsoon-specific challenges and preferences. These apps offer a variety of exercise routines, from HIIT workouts to yoga and meditation sessions, accessible anytime and anywhere with an internet connection. A few apps allow users to tailor their fitness routines based on their personal goals and fitness levels. Alongside, virtual training features provide real-time feedback and motivation, making it easier to stay committed to fitness goals.
