As the Fitness Center reopens at reduced capacity with mandatory reservations, many Seton Hall students have resorted to other methods of staying in shape that do not require going to the gym. Here are five alternative workout techniques that can be done within your home, dorm or outdoors.
At-Home Cardio
Sarah Laadem, a sophomore elementary education major, said that not much has changed in her workouts since quarantine began.
“I’ve been doing a few cardio at-home workouts and walking with my family,” Laadem said.
Lorra de Guzman, a sophomore nursing major, has also opted to increase her cardio within her free time.
“I run for two miles around the neighborhood as often as I can, when I’m not working or in class,” de Guzman said. “I do a lot more cardio now since I don’t have a full home gym. It’s easy to just go running and I like the fact that I can get fresh air.”
YouTube Workouts: HIIT
Aside from her cardio days, Laadem uses online videos to keep her exercise regimen on track.
“I typically just look up HIIT training workouts on YouTube,” Laadem said, referring to high-intensity interval training. “[I] do two or three 15-minute workouts of those.”
Laadem added that she uses HIIT videos because she can “burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time.” She said that the intensity of each workout keeps her mind focused on herself and the workout rather than other tasks.
Laadem said HIIT workouts are also a good alternative to going to the gym since a lot of the exercises do not require equipment.
YouTube Workouts: Blogilates
When the Recreation Center was open, Isabella Somera, a senior biochemistry major, said she participated in spin and yoga classes. Now that gym hours have been cut, Somera said she uses online tutorials from creators like Blogilates, a pilates instructor and fitness influencer, to do similar workouts.
“I use a lot of videos from Blogilates or Chloe Ting, and I noticed results,” Somera said.
Workout – Groups:
With social distancing measures in place, the opportunities to work out with friends have been limited.
“My friends and I used to make a pact together to wake up early and show up to 8 a.m. yoga classes,” Somera said. “This semester, I’m staying fit by following a workout plan closely with one of my friends. Accountability is important to help us follow through with something until the end.”
YouTube Workouts – Chloe Ting:
Somera also said she uses videos from Chloe Ting, another YouTuber who specializes in fitness content.
“They’re very motivating and it’s nice to feel encouraged by them even though I’m doing my workout alone at home,” Somera said.
Lyla Bugarin, a junior public relations major, said she also uses Chloe Ting’s workout videos, specifically her 30-Day Hourglass Body Challenge.
“They’re very beginner-friendly,” Bugarin said. “But you’ll definitely still feel the burn after every workout.”
Now, Bugarin said she follows her own, less time-consuming schedule which is “definitely more forgiving than Chloe Ting’s workout schedule.” She said she also chooses to work out a specific muscle group per day to avoid tiring out.
Catherine San can be reached at catherine.san@student.shu.edu.
