There are a lot of reasons we may not want to leave our house: high temperatures, snow storms, global pandemic, being an introvert. If you find yourself at a loss of how to stay active while sticking close to home, we’ve rounded up a few ideas to keep you moving. 

1. Go old school 

Do you have an old jump rope laying around? Jumping rope is a great cardio workout and can be done almost anywhere as long as you have a jump rope and a clear space around you. 

2. Bring gym class to you

Create your own gym class by following a workout video at home. Sure, you can pull out a dusty Jazzercise tape, but there are plenty of YouTube channels and services that offer a variety of specialized and full-body workouts you can play on your TV or computer. Try a new one each day to keep things interesting! Yoga more your style? Start or renew a daily practice to find your zen while getting active. 

3. Dance it out!

Put on your favorite tunes (or a premade playlist) and bust out some moves. If you have a partner at home to practice with, maybe now is the time to learn a dance style like swing or salsa. Feeling a little bit country? If you have the space, you can learn to line dance and impress everyone the next time you’re out.

4. Gamify your fitness

Do you have a competitive streak that needs a little more than to follow along to a workout video? Try a video game! That’s right, you can play and stay active at the same time. Check out the Just Dance series of games or the Ring Fit for Nintendo Switch. 

5. Get outside!

Chances are, you can still get outside for a walk, jog, or hike! Just make sure to stay 6 feet away from people who don’t live with you (and check to see if certain parks are closed). Now might be the time to explore your neighborhood and see what hidden parks or walking trails that are to find. If the weather is a little frightful, bundle up in breathable layers, bring an umbrella, or strap some ice grips onto your shoes. If the forecast is going to be hot, try to get out early in the day or head to a wooded area to walk where it might be cooler.