The Weird Wonders of Virtual Exercise Groups for the Chronically Ill

Every so often I get asked to sponsor a paid post on my blog.  When I receive these requests I usually take the high road and decline.  Not because I don’t like or don’t need money, but because the content is usually so far out there, that I can’t justify putting it in here and bombarding you, my readers, with paid stuff. 

(Anyone remember when the Brady’s struggled to do the soap commercial on The Brady Bunch because they really didn’t like the soap?  Yes, it’s like that.) 

But this content seemed relevant and right up my alley, as well as compelling.  So compelling that I might even exercise after I publish this. 

Oh wait, we are expecting a Nor’easter.  I will exercise tomorrow. 

Enjoy. 

(And if you miss my regular posts, check back on Saturday where I will be following a Halloween tradition and re-posting one of my most requested blogs.)

One irony of being chronically ill is that every solution seems to directly contradict your problems. Medical News Today says that physical activity, of all things, helps to manage multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. Okay, that’s completely believable. But how are we supposed to beat fatigue with exercise when some of us are too fatigued to move?

Fortunately, the fitness world is getting more accessible. Nowadays, most people can workout with a fitness trainer without needing to go to the gym. Fitness research firm ClubIntel reports that 72% of gyms now offer livestream group workouts. Though that won’t make push-ups and burpees any easier, it’s still a huge deal for people who have trouble leaving the house.
Virtual Workout Classes

Before Zoom became the norm, people had to rely on pre-recorded YouTube classes run by young and overly peppy lady instructors who’d shout “Yay, we did it!” in-between exercises — oblivious to whether or not us unmotivated folk were actually doing anything. Now, with livestreaming options, our overly peppy instructors can sit with us on a Zoom call to correct our form, answer our questions, and most importantly, confirm whether or not we actually, in fact, “did it!”

Virtual workout groups help you access professional workout guidance from the comfort of your own home, saving you effort, time, and best of all, gas expenses. Virtual workouts also offer more flexibility with scheduling, allowing you to start a session any time that’s comfortable for you. With an instructor around, you have someone to hold you accountable, which — especially if you’re one of those people that lies about being a “self-starter” on your resume — can make for a great motivator.

In a group exercise, classmates may even join you. Don’t worry; having other people around won’t make it embarrassing. In a virtual workout class, you’re just a dot inside a box on someone’s tiny screen. Plus, everybody’s too busy correcting their own form to notice that your elbow plank lasted for a record-breaking 3 seconds.

Getting Started

Virtual fitness classes are easy to find and also affordable, especially if you have health insurance. If you’re over 65, check whether your Medicare plan offers fitness benefits. KelseyCare Advantage shows that Medicare Part C benefits will often include SilverSneakers, which is a senior-focused fitness program that gives members access to both in-person and virtual classes. SilverSneakers instructors are trained to accommodate the needs of older adults, including those with chronic conditions.

Not me but I wish!

There are also many virtual workout groups designed specifically for MS. For example, telefitness service MS Workouts provides low-impact, high-intensity exercise that can help people with MS safely build muscle and improve body functionality. On top of getting live feedback from instructors, users can record their progress on the MS Workouts page to better keep track of how they’re doing.

As long as you pace yourself and set realistic goals, exercise can be an effective way to manage symptoms of chronic illness. And with virtual exercise groups, you can remove the hurdle of having to travel all the way to the gym. So if you want to shape up, sign up for an online workout class now.

Thanks for reading, and please consider exploring more of our mission toward ‘Finding Humor in a Multiple Sclerosis Life’ here at Yvonne De Sousa USA

 

FYI  So as not to be misleading, MS Workouts a monthly fee membership program.  But it if it sounds worth it to you, give it a look!