Hiit it at Home

If you are interested in articles that promote outdoor activities, then this is not the article for you. You will find no recommendations for communal sports here, no practical listings of sport centers and events, and no miracle guide on how to survive the blasting icy winds during an afternoon run. This article is meant for those who are tired of freezing inside and outside, those who cannot access sport centers because they either do not wish to spend the money, or have no clue where their locations are, and those who are quarantined or prefer to stay indoors to avoid the Orwellian virus (an expression which here means “a virus that has brought about societal and economic collapse”). 

Fear not, for the good, sporty people of the Student Paper have brought you this sportsman guide to offer you a great deal of cheerful sweat and muscle strain, to survive life inside the confines of your own room. Here are some of the best sport channels you can consult from within the cozy, mostly warm interiors of your rooms, where you actually wish you could just stay in bed, eat some pizza, and waste away watching Netflix. 

Grafík/Margrét Aðalheiður Önnur-Þorgeirsdóttir

Grafík/Margrét Aðalheiður Önnur-Þorgeirsdóttir

The Smiling Sydney 

If you are looking to smile while you sweat and feel your heart shooting up into your throat, then Sydney Cummings is the one to follow. Brimming with positivity and infectious warmth (no pun intended), Sydney is such a joyous and genuine spirit that you could almost wonder whether she has not realized the year in which we are living. Perfect to brush away any pandemic-related concerns, Sydney’s workouts will bring a sense of childish joy into your life while reminding you of all the undiscovered places your body can hurt. Just follow “Sydney Cummings” on YouTube. Happy sweating!

SELF

The “SELF” channel offers a wide range of sport routines perfect for quarantine and life indoors. A word of warning: do not make the mistake of scrolling down the comment section to see how hard the workout turned out to be for everyone else; this will only dissuade you from being active, just like watching the pelting rain and thundering wind outside your window may keep you from venturing out for grocery shopping. Spare yourself the useless intimidation and sweat away. Whether you use some equipment or not, “SELF” will leave you more than satisfied - it will leave you feeling happily sore. 

No-nonsense Pamela Reif

If you are having one those days when you would rather not hear motivational TED-like talk while training, then Pamela Reif is your coach. Her quiet, to-the-point, no-nonsense workouts leave you enough space to concentrate on your own thoughts (and why not, put on some of your own music) while engaging in a delicious variety of cardio and muscle exercises that will leave you craving the days of motivation and happy talking. 

FitnessBlender

I am sure you know the expression “you can’t make an omelet without cracking a few eggs”; now think of FitnessBlender as the omelet-maker and you as the eggs that are constantly being cracked. These expertly designed HIIT and bodyweight workouts are filled with excruciating tasks and exercises that, if followed slowly and at your own pace, will result in enormous rewards for your physique and health. I recommend holding off on the high-intensity workouts until you feel ready, and to constantly drink water (not just for the sake of hydration, but also to catch a much-needed breath). 

Welcome to Girvanworld 

Caroline Girvan is like that strict supervisor you know you need in your life but always hoped you would never find. She gets stuff done, and she gets it done fast, unforgivingly, and without excuses. You do not have to apologize to her for failing, only to yourself. Girvan is a straight-to-the-point coach who does not dwell in unnecessary breaks, and who prefers to work with sports-oriented people. For this reason, I will only recommend her channel for those of you who already have experience with HIIT workouts, since the consequences might outweigh the benefits on this one. If, however, you are accustomed to HIIT routines and are looking to be put through the wringer (an expression which here means “to be challenged in physical and mental ways you did not know even existed”), then go ahead and proceed with caution. In many respects, Girvan is like the sea – not quiet and peaceful – but a force of nature that you must always respect. 

These are only some of the workouts we recommend during these stay-at-home times, but we encourage you to find more and keep your energy up. In other words, we wish you a happy workout, full of sweating and healthy results. 

EnglishKevin Niezen