Even This Fitness Club Owner Had To Think Of New Ways To Move In 2020

Most of us have been spending a lot more time at home lately. And while technology makes it easier to work and socialize from home, there’s no magic solution when it comes to finding the motivation to exercise in the very same space you eat, sleep, work, and (virtually) cheers in.

Yet with so many gyms shut down, streets overpopulated with new walkers and runners, and fitness equipment on backorder across the country, sometimes working out from home is our only option. Even fitness professionals like Kong Fit Club owner Meagan Kong has had to rethink her approach to movement in 2020 — both personally and from a business standpoint.

While her business has pivoted to virtual classes you can livestream from your living room, Kong has also had to reinvent her personal approach to movement. To encourage everyone to move in new ways in 2020, Bustle partnered with Light + Fit to share three unique ways this dancer, entrepreneur, and fitness maven has incorporated more movement into her life from the comfort of her own home.

1. Start The Day With A Starfish Stretch

Kong recommends taking a minute after you wake up to appreciate the quiet and stillness of the world before you pick up your phone, which for her means indulging in a classic starfish stretch.

“The first thing you should do as you wake up is point your toes, and reach your fingertips toward all corners of the bed,” Kong says. “Arch your back, and take the deepest breath you ever knew you could.”

As a dancer, Kong is “always stretching,” and reminds us that it’s something we can easily do during minutia tasks during the day. For example, she cooks with one leg on the counter, like it’s a ballet barre, and sits in a butterfly position while typing on her laptop. She even practices deep belly breathing and exhales while checking emails, making digital chores a sort of meditation.

Starting the day with a full body stretch sets the tone for a successful, movement-filled day — and gives you that moment of peace you likely desperately need before your morning begins.

2. Throw Your Energy Into Household Chores

Rather than feel trapped by her house during stay-at-home orders, Kong threw her efforts into making it the kind of place she wanted to spend more time in.

“I’m cleaning, gardening, painting, organizing, and taking out the trash on time,” Kong says. “Actually doing these everyday chores keeps me in motion — I’m breaking a sweat just thinking about it!”

Everyday, household chores like cleaning are a great opportunity to add more movement into your day — just add some music.

“Put on a banging playlist while you clean,” Kong says. “You will automatically add some hips and head rolls into your dish-washing or laundry-folding. And you’ll have more fun while doing it!” Once those pesky chores are finally done, Kong likes to grab a quick snack like Light + Fit nonfat yogurt, turn the volume up on her playlist, and keep the kitchen party going.

3. Give Yourself Freedom To Try New Things

Kong is a self-admitted former boutique fitness studio queen.

“I love the energy of a live class, the lights, fancy equipment, and really needed the action of leaving my house to snap into workout mode,” she says.

But when stay-at-home orders made in-studio classes unavailable, Kong was forced to reimagine boutique fitness — both personally and professionally. Rather than letting stay-at-home orders limit her fitness, she thought of all the ways it could broaden it. That meant trying new classes and practices, moving in new dimensions, and offering live virtual classes for Kong Fit Club, which allows two-way interaction with her Kong community.

“Since March, we have been restricted in so many ways but my workouts are where I find my freedom,” Kong says. “Freedom to try new moves, grunt, get ugly, and let it all hang out whenever I have the urge.”

Trying a new class — like boxing, HIIT, weight training, pilates, dance, and more — has never been easier, because you can take a virtual class from your living room. So if you find yourself bored with one practice, don’t be afraid to nix it and move on.

“If I’m losing motivation, the first thing I do is change it up.” Kong says. “Try something new.”

Finding new ways to move may seem challenging, but the effort is well worth the reward. If you find your motivation stalling, Kong has wise parting words that might just help you kick things into gear: “I’ve never felt worse after a workout.”

This post is sponsored by Light + Fit.