Brought to you by Focus Ireland

Thanks to lockdown, we've all had to think of new ways to stay active.

With gyms closed, team sports cancelled and not even having your daily commute to help boost your step count, you're definitely not alone if you feel your fitness has taken a hit over the last few months. But there are plenty of ways staying active despite our current restricted lifestyle, and you don't need to buy any fancy gym equipment to keep working towards your fitness goals from home. With that in mind, we've compiled a couple of simple ways you can get moving during lockdown 3.0.

Learn some new yoga poses

Yoga isn't for everyone, but it can do amazing things for your strength, flexibility and overall health. It's also so easy to do at home, both as an indoor exercise or in the garden. Getting started is as simple as finding a clear, open space to workout in and there are plenty of resources online to help you out if you're a yoga newbie.

Join a virtual exercise class

Many gyms have been working hard to diversify while their doors are shut and, as a result, there are some amazing online classes you can avail of. And a lot of them are pretty fun too! HITT workouts, dance classes and boxercise are just some of the options out there, so it's definitely worth looking for one that suits your goals.

Set yourself a fitness challenge

Our movements may be limited, but it's still possible to set yourself a fitness goal that can be easily achieved within your 5K. And while you're at it, you can raise money for a good cause too! The Focus Ireland The Next Step virtual marathon is back for its second year running and challenges you to walk, jog or run a marathon (that's 42km) during the month of April. Sponsored by Horizon Therapeutics, this challenge can be completed at your own pace and it's really manageable under the current restrictions. All you have to do is register, track your progress and fundraise within your own network. By the end of the month, there's no doubt your fitness will be improved and you'll have done your part to end homelessness in Ireland by raising funds for Focus Ireland.

Follow an online workout video

Thanks to the sheer number of lockdowns we've had to endure, YouTube has never been so well stocked with high-quality exercise tutorials from fitness experts. From intense cardio to strength training and everything in between, there's a huge variety out there and they can be a great way of targeting certain parts of your body if you're missing your regular gym sessions.

Take up more active past-times

As part of the lock down lifestyle, it's easy to find yourself spending hours scrolling through your social feeds or binging the latest Netflix hit, but choosing activities that require a bit more movement are great for sneaking in some exercise without even knowing you're doing it! Gardening, mowing the lawn or de-cluttering your home are just some of the more active ways you can spend your days. Focus Ireland support individuals and families that are homeless or at risk of homelessness across Ireland. By taking part in Focus Ireland's The Next Step virtual marathon, you can get active during April while raising much needed funds for Focus Ireland. To register for the The Next Step, click here. Brought to you by Focus Ireland