Outside is free: How the UK Lockdown sparked a fitness Revolution
for many of us, our worlds turned upside down in the past 3 months due to the coronavirus outbreak, it’s clear our habits changed? are you guilty of being part of a covid the fitness revolution? Heres are 6 ways to tell if you’ve turned into a fitness freak.
1. You’ve joined Strava
One of the brilliant efforts the UK public made through the Lockdown has been the run for heroes challenge, simply run 5k, nominate 5 others and donate £5 to the NHS. With this you needed to post your time on your Instagram story, so you’ve Strava to track your 5k effort and secretly wanted to crush all your friends times. After all, Strava or it didn’t happen, right?
2. Dusting off the old bike that’s been in the garden shed for 2 years or more…
There aren’t many of your possessions have been neglected as much as your bike has in recent times, but during the lockdown those two wheels have been your vehicle to freedom and that once a day venture into the great outdoors.
3. All the gear - no idea
Whilst most of us have faced some long term financial uncertainty, it is true to say we have been living very simple lives, not spending as much on meals out, drinking in the pub or putting fuel in the car. So you’ve justified this saving to treat yourself to some new activewear and now your social media is full of ads for carbon bikes, lycra, wetsuits and workout plans.
4. Watching adventure videos
With not much sport on and foreign holidays looking unlikely this summer, watching travel and adventure videos during the lockdown has helped fill that void for many of us. Whether it’s been jaw-dropping films such as Free Solo, The Dawn Wall orr becoming inspired by GCN videos on YouTube.
5. Planning your next physical challenge
Your mind has had time to wonder throughout the lockdown period, whether it’s been focusing your attention on planning that Lands End - John O Groats trip on the bike, Scotland’s North Coast 500 or finding time to start training for the Triathlon you’ve always said you’d do, but never quite had the time. We’ve all been determined to come out of this period having worked on our personal development being fitter and more focused than before.
6. Enjoying the little things
Finally, most importantly it’s taught us to slow down, appreciate the little things and reflect on what matters to us. Whilst it presents challenges with working from home and homeschooling, the joys of having more quality family time, reading books in the garden and enjoying rides out on bike have shown you to be thankful for what you have and not worry about what you don't. Actually, when it comes down to it you don't need much to be happy at all.