As a professional fighter/athlete/trainer
and owner of Strikers MMA & Fitness gym, it’s important to exercise, keep
in good spirits and stay fit. Exercise has been shown to release chemicals
such as endorphins and serotonin that improve one’s mood. Studies also suggest
that regularly working out can help reduce stress and symptoms of mental health
conditions like depression and anxiety.
It is important that we continue to
remain active even while we self-isolate. Equally significant is getting advice
from a professional athlete or fitness trainer to avoid getting hurt when you
work out at home. An injury is the last thing you want to deal with during
self-isolation.
I suggest that just half an hour a
day should be set aside for exercise and there is no need for fancy
gym equipment either. Using your own bodyweight is enough, and there are many
exercises that you can put together for an effective workout, no matter your
fitness level. It’s a good idea to set up a workout space in your home or yard,
plan your workout and get a playlist. It will keep you motivated!
Being in a confined space with the
same people for a long time can fray our nerves. With the lockdown now
extended, it is even more important for everyone to maintain a healthy physical
and mental outlook. I have incorporated only bodyweight exercises and created a
fun-loving online fitness community from members of my gym and others as well,
some of whom have never trained a day in their lives.
Liza, a regular to my online
classes, said, “Nelson keeps us motivated and offers us all a chance to keep a
healthy body and mind through this lockdown. It’s always an awesome class!”
One positive thing that will come
from this lockdown is people checking on their mental well-being. As they say,
the stronger will survive. Push yourself based on your own fitness level when
you work out.
Start with a simple routine –
jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, abs exercises and skipping. “Download a timer
to be your workout assistant, and you will be surprised at how quickly the time
flies by. You will feel amazing after working out. If you do this morning and
evening, it also puts a schedule to your day.
I believe that we will always look
back at the lockdown and wonder what we achieved. Fitness and exercise can be
an easily attainable personal achievement during this time and can help us
through this difficult time. Improving your fitness level is the biggest asset
you can invest in for yourself.
Another of my regular
students, Polina, said, “Nelson’s classes are an amazing chance to
get fit instead of getting fat during this lockdown. I don’t know about the
others, but I feel like I’ve already gotten a bit slimmer, thanks to the Zoom
classes. And they are more entertaining than non-stop runs to the fridge!”
I hope I have been keeping my
community healthy and upbeat through the crisis. Come join these exciting
30-minute free classes on Zoom from Monday to Friday at 5:30 pm.
Nelson Paes is a professional MMA
Fighter who Represented India from 2015 – 2020. Currently the owner of Strikers
MMA Gym and Trainer. He is also a fitness & wellness influencer, brand
ambassador & public figure
