Campus Recreation is here to help you stay active, connected, and happy while social distancing.

Movement, whether it be in the comfort of our homes or elsewhere, can improve mood, boost creativity and focus, lower stress levels, improve muscle and bone strength, improve blood pressure, and decrease the risk of chronic health conditions. In order to take the best care of yourself during this period of social distancing, it is encouraged to continue or establish a daily routine that includes movement, relaxation, socialization, and fresh air.

Ways To Stay Active At Home

Campus Rec On-Demand Virtual Fitness Classes

We have compiled UMW fitness instructors’ favorite YouTube workout videos into playlists that you can access any time. Simply visit the UMW Campus Rec YouTube page “playlists” section when you are ready for a sweat session. These videos are especially helpful when unsure where to start or what to do to exercise at home.

SHiNE Dance Fitness Online

Tiffany, our wonderful SHiNE Dance Fitness instructor, has gotten the hook-up for her UMW SHiNE participants to take free virtual SHiNE Dance Fitness classes for two months! If you have checked into a SHiNE Dance Fitness class at UMW in the 2019-2020 academic year, you should have received an email from Brittanie Naff on March 16th with details on how to get this deal.

Instagram Live Fitness Classes

Tune in to live workout classes presented by our UMW fitness instructors on the @UMWCampusRec Instagram throughout each week. The schedule changes from week-to-week and each workout will only last about 15 minutes. No, you can not be seen while working out. Our instructors will be on screen guiding you through workouts and there is a chat feature where you can interact with others via text, or send *hearts* to your instructor, on your water breaks only, of course. See our Instagram feed for the most recent schedule!

Les Mills On-Demand Fitness Videos

Our friends at Les Mills have given UMW Eagles free access to their workout classes, like BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT, GRIT, SH’BAM, and more! Just visit this link to start experiencing these great workouts while this offer lasts. No sign-up required!

At-Home Workout Plans Designed by UMW Fitness Instructors

Don’t want to follow a video but still want some workout structure? Our fitness instructors have created at-home workout plans for you to do whenever you would like. Just visit the “Workouts” highlight on the @UMWCampusRec Instagram to see what great workouts they have created for you.

Matrix Learning Center bodyweight exercises

Sometimes we are reading a workout plan and see the names of fitness moves only to think, “What the heck is a ‘bear crawl’?!” Thankfully our cardio equipment partner, Matrix Fitness, is here to help. Matrix has given UMW Eagles access to a library of videos demonstrating a variety of the most popular bodyweight exercises. Check them out here! No sign-up required.

Ways To Relax

Mindfulness Conference Calls with Bill Brooks

Mindfulness is great for relieving stress and improving mental health. On our free weekly meditation calls, you won’t be asked to speak, but simply to listen and relax as Bill guides everyone on the line through some mindfulness practices to start your weekend off on the right foot. Give it a try! What have you got to lose?

• • 30 minutes of LIVE guided meditation with Bill Brooks, UMW Yoga & Mindfulness Instructor
  • Fridays from 12:15-12:45 pm beginning March 27, 2020
  • It’s easy to participate. Just dial 425.436.6352 and enter the access code 155679

Ways To Stay Social At Home

Use chatting platforms like UMW’s Office 365 Microsoft Teams, Facetime, Skype, or Zoom to instant message and video call friends regularly! Drink a morning cup of coffee “together,” set up a virtual lunch chat, make a point to check in regularly with a person or group of people at the same time each day, or any other ideas you may have. Social distancing doesn’t have to mean social disengagement.

Ways To Get Fresh Air

• Open the window to your work space for the sounds of nature, the warmth of the sun, and for a *literal* breath of fresh air.
• Do some work on a stoop, deck, patio, or porch.
• Go for a walk in the morning, between projects, or at the end of the day to soak up the vitamin D and get your blood flowing.