If you’re like us, it seems like when the Commonwealth Games are on, especially this year being hosted by our very own Gold Coast, it changes you. All of a sudden you realise you’re an expert at judging gymnastics and diving, even though you’ve never participated in the sport and don’t know anything about the judging criteria. You watch in awe as the athletes do amazing things like catapulting their body over 6 metres in the air and landing on a mattress, leaping into the water from the height of a three-story building or holding a perfect iron cross while hanging from a pair of rings. Best of all, it seems like the Games create a period where Australians all agree on one thing – no matter what your background, we pull together as a nation to get behind our team in the green and gold.
Get your game on!
Watching these amazing athletes is inspiring, it might make you feel like dusting off your old tennis racquet, running shoes or push bike, or even trying something completely new. Even though it might be too late for you to start training to become a world champion athlete competing in the Commonwealth Games, it’s certainly not too late to take the inspiration you have found by watching these athletes and turning that into a new fitness routine. It’s important to strike while the iron is hot! Don’t wait until the Commonwealth Games are over, because that inspiration comes and goes very quickly. Here are 5 things you can do right now to help you take your new found inspiration to have fun and get healthy at the same time.
1. Running
Inspired by the amazing athletes in the track events? Dust off your running shoes and start with a warm-up. Don’t try to go from couch to 10km overnight. Make your first 5-10 minutes low impact and slower pace, and gradually build in intensity. Even Commonwealth Games athletes increase their training gradually. You might try for a few short distance sprints, a few laps of the local running track, or a long slow run. Running is such an accessible activity because anyone can do it, all you need is a pair of shoes and some ground – get the whole family involved and go for an after-dinner jog/ power walk!
2. Squash
If you like the idea of squash but you don’t have a squash court or gear handy, a tennis ball, racquet and a brick wall will work as a great substitute – most of us probably have these floating around in the garage. You can play solo, or with a partner. Great cardio, hand-eye coordination and upper body strength.
3. Gymnastics
Are you amazed by the flexibility and balance of the pint-sized powerhouses that are the gymnasts at these Commonwealth Games? Why not start by improving your flexibility with a round of dynamic stretches to warm up, followed by a few balance poses or exercises, and finish off with some static stretches.
4. Field Events
These include the throwing and jumping events like hurdles, discus, shot put, high jump, long jump and more. These can be really fun to try with your family/kids and have a little competition. Find yourself a nice grassy space or perhaps a sand pit/beach. Compete in a long jump and triple jump. Use a weighted ball and try out a shot put, use a Frisbee as a discus. Making exercise into a game makes it enjoyable and fun, rather than a chore, and can instil a love of physical activity in your kids early in life. This can set them up for good health and fitness habits in their adult life!
5. Swimming
If you haven’t been swimming since your high school sports days, it’s time to get out your bathing suit and get in the pool! Swimming is a great low-impact way to get some cardio exercise if you have any joint issues or niggling injuries. If you’re not a confident lap swimmer, grab a kickboard to hold onto with one hand at a time while you practice your stroke/breath timing. Consider signing up for a lesson at your local pool to help with your technique!
