Host: Good afternoon. Thanks for joining us. On today’s segment we’re talking about health; specifically how to remain healthy by exercising through this pandemic. Initially, at the start of the pandemic, it was strongly advised not to go to the gym. They are high risk places where the virus could spread. Now the CDC has adjusted their guidelines saying it’s safe to go as long as the gym and you are doing your part. Joining me now is Sarah Dockery. She’s with Mercer University’s recreation and wellness department. I want to begin by asking how has fitness changed during this pandemic? I think that obviously fitness overall hasn’t changed much. It’s still just working out trying to feel healthier and get better. But the way that we’re doing it has changed, whether that’s we’re doing more stuff online or outside than just regularly going to a gym.

Guest: I think that obviously fitness overall hasn’t changed much. It’s still just working out trying to feel healthier and get better. But the way that we’re doing it has changed, whether that’s we’re doing more stuff online or outside than just regularly going to a gym.

Host: Do you think this change is permanent? Do you think we will ever go back to what fitness looked like pre pandemic?

Guest: I definitely think that there’s going to be aspects of both. I think that in a few years, gyms are going to kind of go back to normal and continue thriving. But I think the way that fitness has changed to kind of go online during the pandemic, a lot of that is also going to stay because it’s a great way for people to get their workouts in, and also for small instructors to get their names out to the world.

Host: What are the best way to stay fit while still being safe?

Guest: What are the best way to stay fit while still being safe?

Host: For the people like me that are so fearful of exercising in the gym. What do you recommend they do?

Guest: Of course going outside whether it’s just walking, jogging, biking, the thing we always think about or you can kind of make up your own workout if you want to or of course there’s plenty of YouTube tutorials or like I said earlier, like small instructors that are putting their content online for people everywhere to access now.

Host: Are there any dorm exercises that you recommend?

Guest: If you’re in a dorm, of course, I don’t think that you want to do anything like too high intense to jumping because you might be disturbing your neighbors, but anything like a little slower pace like yoga potties or bar I think those are really great options.

Host: How can someone experience have a safe experience in the gym? Do what do you recommend they do?

Guest:  I think that if you are planning on going to a gym right now, you should wear your mask until you start working out if that’s kind of like the recommendation of the gym. If you feel if you want to continue wearing your mask while working out, that’s of course totally fine and probably a safer option. And then just wiping down your equipment before and after use and trying to stay distant from other people who are working out.

Host: What are some outdoor exercises that you can do to stay safe because since this pandemic started, I found myself going to the parks more also been like since I’ve been on campus been walking around just for a change of scenery and just something different?

Guest: Yeah, I think walking, looking around campus or wherever you are outside is a great one. If you’re in the area where there’s lots of hikes, doing stuff like that is great and it’s fun. It’s just like a chance to experience nature which also is going to be nice and help us right. But if you’re not up for that you can around Mercer we have things like the stadium where you could run bleachers if you really want to get some cardio in and then the group fitness program is offering outdoor classes right now to hopefully brings more people in and help them have a safe environment to work out if they don’t want to go to the gym.

Host: What are some of your favorite exercises slash workouts that you found?

Guest: I really like weightlifting. But of course, it’s one that you have to go to the gym for. So if I’m doing that I just make sure that I’m staying away from those around me also in the gym, but I also love things like yoga and bodies. And every now and then I’ll go on a nice little long walk around wherever I am. So those are much more kind of dorm friendly, compatible wherever you are. Right. I want to thank you for taking the time to answer some of my questions. Do you have any thoughts or statements that you wanted to make? Just if you’re interested in you don’t want to go to the gym, don’t feel comfortable to definitely check out some of the group fitness programs on campus right now.

Host: Before we go, is there anything else we need to know about exercising during this pandemic?

Guest: I think that this pandemic is is a great time to kind of get into exercise because we’re already just facing so much stress and anxiety about what may be coming next in the world. And exercising is a great way to reduce and relieve some of that stress.

Host: Okay, thank you, Sarah. And thank you for joining us at home. I’m from Fatmata Kargbo and see you next time.