Exercise During the Pandemic
2020-04-28
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1From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle Report.
2Exercise is an important part of staying healthy - both physically and mentally.
3Studies show that it can help strengthen the body's natural defenses against disease.
4But exercise does not just keep us healthy.
5For many people, it is part of their daily routine, making them feel better about themselves.
6Getting enough exercise at difficult times, such as the current coronavirus pandemic, is important.
7However, because of the current restrictions and social distancing, some ways of exercising have changed or are simply gone.
8So, people are changing how they exercise during this pandemic.
9Those who only exercise indoors might now consider moving their exercise routine outdoors.
10This is the advice of Joe Khabbaza, a doctor and heart specialist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
11"Simply walk outside in nature," Khabbaza said.
12"People can use this as an opportunity to exercise in other ways."
13But in areas with stay-at-home orders or enforced social distancing, exercising outside may not be as simple as it sounds.
14Under a stay-at-home order, only essential activity is permitted. Most stores are closed.
15But people are permitted to leave their home for food and fuel, to see a doctor or for recreation.
16In most places, going outside for exercise or other forms of recreation comes with restrictions.
17For some people, the restrictions seem complex and even conflicting.
18And some people are simply not following them.
19Reuters news agency recently reported that French officials have increased restrictions in Paris.
20They have banned people from taking part in outdoors sports activities between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
21The more extreme restrictions come after French politicians and doctors showed concern that Parisians were still jogging and gathering in groups.
22Earlier the government had ordered people to stay in their homes as much as possible.
23In the Washington, D.C. area, when people continued to gather in large groups without following social distancing rules, many basketball courts and playgrounds were closed.
24Michelle Quinn is VOA's Silicon Valley Bureau Chief.
25She wrote recently about the situation in the San Francisco Bay area.
26Quinn noted that "a lot of people flocked to the parks, playgrounds and beaches...the authorities had to shut them down.
27 The areas were so crowded, health officials worried people couldn't - or wouldn't - stay 6 feet apart."
28Six feet is about two meters.
29Even walking or riding a bicycle raises issues.
30If you are walking with a non-family member, you must stay at least two meters apart.
31Police can break up gatherings of more than 10 people or advise people of the distancing restrictions.
32Quinn noted that if you do not follow the restrictions, you may be the target of criticism, both in person and on social media.
33In some places, going outside for exercise or playing sports on a team are a not permitted.
34Gyms, recreation centers and exercise studios are not open.
35So, some people are turning online to exercise.
36The physical fitness industry is also moving to online training.
37The Associated Press news agency contacted industry representatives and other people.
38Beth Berglin is the director of a charitable group in Miami, Florida.
39Before the pandemic, her exercise routine involved going to boot camp-style classes four mornings a week.
40Now, the area where she trains is closed.
41But she is staying active through online classes.
42"Part of the reason we exercise is to have that mental break," she said.
43"I can't imagine getting through this without having some form of physical activity."
44Some fitness companies are changing to meet the new environment.
45Recreation centers and fitness studios across the United States are helping people stay active by offering online classes, some of which are free or have reduced cost.
46Some fitness centers are offering longer trial periods for at-home workouts.
47During a trial period, people can try a product or service for free.
48Some fitness trainers have completely moved their training programs online.
49Many of these online exercise classes are made for smaller spaces and do not require any special equipment.
50Fitness companies that have been using an online model seem better prepared than others.
51They are using the pandemic to expand their fitness offerings and appeal to new customers.
52Some of those new customers include children who are now learning at home during the pandemic.
53Founders of one online exercise company, named Obe, told the AP that they received requests for children's classes from parents.
54So, they launched four 10-minute dance and strength workouts for children 10 years old and younger.
55These days, getting exercise may be more difficult.
56But people are changing their behavior and are finding new ways to exercise .
57I'm Anna Matteo.
1From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle Report. 2Exercise is an important part of staying healthy - both physically and mentally. Studies show that it can help strengthen the body's natural defenses against disease. 3But exercise does not just keep us healthy. For many people, it is part of their daily routine, making them feel better about themselves. 4Getting enough exercise at difficult times, such as the current coronavirus pandemic, is important. However, because of the current restrictions and social distancing, some ways of exercising have changed or are simply gone. 5So, people are changing how they exercise during this pandemic. 6Exercising outside has changed 7Those who only exercise indoors might now consider moving their exercise routine outdoors. 8This is the advice of Joe Khabbaza, a doctor and heart specialist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. 9"Simply walk outside in nature," Khabbaza said. "People can use this as an opportunity to exercise in other ways." 10But in areas with stay-at-home orders or enforced social distancing, exercising outside may not be as simple as it sounds. 11Under a stay-at-home order, only essential activity is permitted. Most stores are closed. But people are permitted to leave their home for food and fuel, to see a doctor or for recreation. 12In most places, going outside for exercise or other forms of recreation comes with restrictions. For some people, the restrictions seem complex and even conflicting. And some people are simply not following them. 13Reuters news agency recently reported that French officials have increased restrictions in Paris. They have banned people from taking part in outdoors sports activities between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. 14The more extreme restrictions come after French politicians and doctors showed concern that Parisians were still jogging and gathering in groups. Earlier the government had ordered people to stay in their homes as much as possible. 15In the Washington, D.C. area, when people continued to gather in large groups without following social distancing rules, many basketball courts and playgrounds were closed. 16Michelle Quinn is VOA's Silicon Valley Bureau Chief. She wrote recently about the situation in the San Francisco Bay area. 17Quinn noted that "a lot of people flocked to the parks, playgrounds and beaches...the authorities had to shut them down. The areas were so crowded, health officials worried people couldn't - or wouldn't - stay 6 feet apart." Six feet is about two meters. 18Even walking or riding a bicycle raises issues. 19If you are walking with a non-family member, you must stay at least two meters apart. Police can break up gatherings of more than 10 people or advise people of the distancing restrictions. 20Quinn noted that if you do not follow the restrictions, you may be the target of criticism, both in person and on social media. 21Exercise online 22In some places, going outside for exercise or playing sports on a team are a not permitted. Gyms, recreation centers and exercise studios are not open. 23So, some people are turning online to exercise. The physical fitness industry is also moving to online training. The Associated Press news agency contacted industry representatives and other people. 24Beth Berglin is the director of a charitable group in Miami, Florida. Before the pandemic, her exercise routine involved going to boot camp-style classes four mornings a week. Now, the area where she trains is closed. But she is staying active through online classes. 25"Part of the reason we exercise is to have that mental break," she said. "I can't imagine getting through this without having some form of physical activity." 26Businesses adjusting as well 27Some fitness companies are changing to meet the new environment. Recreation centers and fitness studios across the United States are helping people stay active by offering online classes, some of which are free or have reduced cost. 28Some fitness centers are offering longer trial periods for at-home workouts. During a trial period, people can try a product or service for free. 29Some fitness trainers have completely moved their training programs online. Many of these online exercise classes are made for smaller spaces and do not require any special equipment. 30Fitness companies that have been using an online model seem better prepared than others. They are using the pandemic to expand their fitness offerings and appeal to new customers. 31Some of those new customers include children who are now learning at home during the pandemic. 32Founders of one online exercise company, named Obe, told the AP that they received requests for children's classes from parents. So, they launched four 10-minute dance and strength workouts for children 10 years old and younger. 33These days, getting exercise may be more difficult. But people are changing their behavior and are finding new ways to exercise . 34I'm Anna Matteo. 35The Associated Press and VOA News reported this story. Anna Matteo adapted the report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 36________________________________________________________________ 37Words in This Story 38routine - n. a regular way of doing things in a particular order 39pandemic - n. medical : an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people over a wide area or throughout the world 40opportunity - n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done 41studio - n. a room, building or other place where fitness classes and instruction take place 42charitable - adj. done or designed to help people who are poor, sick, etc. 43boot camp - n. a very difficult training program 44essential - adj. extremely important and necessary 45recreation - n. something people do to relax or have fun : activities done for enjoyment 46flock - v. to gather or move in a crowd 47authority - n. a person with the power to give orders