I hope you’re doing well and in good health! The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating across the globe and until vaccines are universally available, it looks like we won’t be going back to our normal lives any time soon.
Still, we do our best to move forward, and many of us have found that keeping physically active has been a great stress reliever.
Sadly, in Philadelphia, indoor gyms have been closed again and we’re all bracing for the next big wave of COVID-19 outbreaks. So how we can still keep fit while being stuck back at home?
I thought it would be helpful to share a few fitness products worth buying and using while we’re in quarantine. Whether you want to get this for yourself or for friends/family, I hope that the recipient uses the gift as motivation to keep active during these challenging times.
I’m linking up with Tuesday Topics with Zenaida and Kim and Runners’ Roundup with Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Laura Norris Running, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs!
Gift Ideas to Keep Fit During Quarantine
Did you ever think you’d have to shelter-in-place in your home or quarantine due to potential exposure to a virus? These are such crazy times. I hope you like the gift ideas below!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
Spinning Exercise Bike/Bike Trainer
I am sure you have all seen how much the Peloton bike is the RAGE ever since the COVID-19 pandemic. I hear that they’ll be coming out with a more affordable bike soon, but until then there are plenty of alternatives!
The great thing about an exercise bike is that it takes up much less space and is lighter and quieter than a treadmill. While there are the high-tech versions like the Peloton, you can find a great spin bike for under $500, like the Cyclace Indoor Exercise Bike!
You could also get a bike trainer and take advantage of the bike that you already own – I know I have one in the basement that I never use! The Feedback Sports Omnium Portable Bike Trainer has great reviews and works well in smaller spaces.
Online/Virtual Fitness Class Membership
I am a huge fan of group classes and it is great to see how live classes on Zoom are now the norm. Here are a few options that I recommend:
Yoga Download: I subscribed to them years ago and they have a breadth of yoga classes covering all experience levels and practices! Right now until 11/21, they’re actually giving away free 3-month memberships!
Leavell Up Fitness: Lauren Leavell is AMAZING if you don’t know her – she is a barre instructor in Philadelphia and is the coolest! Her classes are fun and she also has a great IG account!
Check out this video describing her membership program:
Virtual Race Admission
Virtual races are here to stay, and when the motivation to run is low, they really help with providing an end goal! Many of our favorite road races are anticipating to be virtual in 2021, but there are so many purely virtual races available. I recommend finding a race that has some sort of personal meaning to you so that you can remember your “why”. Here are a couple of virtual options from Bibrave with discounts!
Marathon Bahamas, January 9-17, 2021: Virtual Full, Half, or Relay. Save $10 with code MB21VIRTUAL.
Grandma’s Marathon, June 19, 2021: Virtual and In-Person Full, Half, 5K. Save 10% with code BIBRAVE1021.
Paid Fitness App Membership
There are tons of free workout apps out there, but if you’re like me, you may let them fall by the wayside wasting precious space on your smartphone.
Alternatively, I am a huge fan of the City Fit Girls Strength Club app. Membership is only $10 a month, but you get much more than your money’s worth! You get:
This program works best if you’ve already got some home gym equipment like resistance bands, dumbbells, and kettlebells.
People also really love the Peloton App, which has thousands of classes including cycling, yoga, bootcamp, and much more . A digital membership is $12.99/month.
Healthy Meal Subscription
Meal subscriptions have really gained popularity since the pandemic hit. It’s contactless and you know you’ll get what you’ve ordered, which is not always guaranteed when using Instacart! I was a big user of Hello Fresh for a couple of years, and I can tell you that if you struggle with meal planning, it’s fantastic because it does the planning for you! Here are a couple of other options:
Home Chef: Another option with more customizable options for your menu. They have 15-minute meals (YAY), entree salads, and a lot more! They have regular deals, like $15 off your first 4 boxes!
Sunbasket: This subscription is very health-conscious with seasonal ingredients, many of which are organic. They also have breakfast and lunches as options…I may need to sign up myself! Also, be sure to take advantage of promotions here to save money!
While we’re in difficult times, at least we can do our best to take care of our fitness and health. What do you think of my fitness gift ideas during quarantine? Do you have any other suggestions?
I just spent a few minutes updating my Bib Rave discount race/brand page LOL, so the Bahamas and Grandma’s just jumped out at me 😉 I considered getting a trainer for my bike, but (so far) the hubby’s stationary bike has been working well. I’m surprised how much I actually like indoor cycling!
While everything about Covid sucks, we’re lucky that it happened at a time when we have so much available to us online. Not the least is the ability to work from home, of course!
You have some great ideas, Janelle! There are SO many online fitness app subscriptions. Yes, I belong to several. I do use them, but some more than others — I love them all, but there’s only so many hours in a day!
I love the idea of a paid app membership or healthy meal subscription. Those are both so thoughtful, and things people might not think to get for themselves.
I am all about all things Peloton and have switched everything to home workouts. So many options now to choose from. The healthy meals are a nice gift idea
Great idea, Janelle! I especially like your point about online fitness memberships.
It’s amazing how much you can do at home without a “real” fitness class.
For the whole of 2020, I have been doing my strength training on my own, and it’s so well I don’t think I’ll be going back to a regular gym when this is over.
These are great ideas! I am so happy to have options for working out at home. I don’t use my spin bike much these days but its a great option to have.
Such great ideas! Being a runner, I just can’t justify buying a stationary bike. I have a trainer that I put my bike in for when I want to ride indoors. It’s a great alternative and there are so many free videos on YouTube.
My father-in-law and my parents get Home Chef and they just love it!
Thanks! I actually love spin class so I would be very interested in getting a bike and saving on those expensive memberships! The bike trainer seems like a great option, especially with the free videos!
Glad to hear they like Home Chef! The meals look really good.
I’ve started doing virtual yoga classes and really enjoy them! These are great ideas for gifts, especially during such a strange and tough year.
Thanks for the suggestions. I do wish my gym was open but it is small and will not be until this is over…who knows when that it since our numbers are raining as well.
I’m not one to workout nor do I have any equipment at home.
But if this is a snowy and icy winter, I am seriously thinking about a spin bike. Not a peleton but a cheaper one and maybe use the Peleton app with it.
Glad you liked it, Darlene! It’s a shame that the gyms have had to close as it’s served as a refuge for so many. The spin bike is very tempting! If I had space I would definitely get one – I think the classes are really fun!
yay for Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, MN! It’s a great one. Cool that Bib Rave is having you promote it! I do hope they are able to have an in person race this year.
Thank you, Jessie! I have heard so many great things about Grandma’s! I need to make it out there one day! 🙂
I’m not going to sign up for any races until I know we are going to be able to run live! I do have 2 races on the calendar that I optimistically signed up for–one is in January on trails. The other is the Ice Age Trail race that was deferred from September. What a tough time!
I hear you on that, I’m feeling the same way. I’m glad you will get to do to the Ice Age Trail, it sounds like so much fun!
These are all great ideas – especially the running stroller, cookbook and fitness app memberships!
Thank you, Kim!
These are all great ideas! I like the variety. A Peloton digital subscription is definitely a GREAT one. 🙂
Thanks! I haven’t signed up but everyone who has it seems to love it!
It’s funny you should mention the bike! That’s an idea I’ve been toying with for the last few weeks. I’m not very good at cross-training but before at least I could do a bit at the gym. But thinking of getting one for home as I’ve cancelled my gym subscription.
Online and virtual classes have become very popular this year, largely due to the pandemic, and it’s easy to see why so many people rely on them. Not only do they provide users with solid workouts but they can stay fit without having to worry about leaving their homes.