Blog.

Lock-down workouts

(May 8, 2020)

I bought a 14kg kettlebell for myself just as the coronavirus situation was escalating into lock down here in Poland. I wrote up a simple exercise plan to follow every week and have been following it for over a month now. Gotta stay in motion while the world has seemingly stopped!

I'm definitely not a fitness expert, and I'm sure this program is far from perfect. But it hits most of the major muscle groups, is an energizing way to start each day, and definitely gets me sweaty, so I'll use that as a metric of it being sufficient for now.

Workout A: Upper

Push-ups 3xFailure (this is around 20 for me, up from 10 at the beginning of lockdown)
Kettlebell shoulder press 3x7 per arm
Kettlebell row 3x12 per arm

I do the push-ups on a slight decline from a stool.

Workout B: Lower and Core

Plank 3x1:45
Kettlebell swings 3x1:45
Kettlebell goblet squats 3x12

I superset the planks and swings.

I also throw in chin-ups or pull-ups throughout the day on both workouts.

I alternate these workouts for five days a week, with two rest days a week.

Thoughts

I definitely can recommend getting a kettlebell. If you get the right weight for you (the recommended starter weights are 16kg for men, 8kg for women), it's a single piece of equipment that can be used for a wide range of exercises. A very affordable option in general, and especially right now while gyms are closed.
If you've never touched a kettlebell before, Pavel Tsatsouline's Enter the Kettlebell is a great starting point, going over general use and the most popular exercises.
Working out is not just for getting in shape, but will also have a very positive impact on mental well-being. It can be especially useful now as a way of jump-starting days in lock-down.
Doing something is better than doing nothing. I don't recommend following my plan - it's based entirely on intuition, what feels good, and the equipment I have available. If you find any other home workout plan that seems to suit your likes - follow it. Then again if you don't, following mine or whatever plan you come up with for yourself is going to be better than nothing.