With so many people confined to their homes due to the coronavirus, it’s getting tougher to stay active and fit. But instead of curling up and binge-watching Netflix, this may be a great time to re-focus on your personal fitness goals. The pandemic will eventually end. Where will you be when it does?
For NBA player Mason Plumlee of the Denver Nuggets, the season may be on pause, but he’s keeping active with a consistent workout routine. That includes daily bodyweight strength exercises, plenty of core work and using stationary cardio devices like a rowing machine and bike. The Nuggets have provided specific workout plans for each player and home equipment if there is a need. The new normal has also meant Mason has had time to work out with family and friends, whether in person or on online. That’s something that might not have happened without the time away from the game.
Though they’re not with teammates, this time has helped NBA players like Mason rekindle connections with his family. The busy NBA travel schedule and Mason’s participation in the FIBA World Cup last summer has meant that he has had to miss a number of family events. This downtime presents an opportunity to be present in a way that hasn’t happened before. It has also meant rekindling relationships with friends.
As a result, the pandemic has provided the opportunity for better mental fitness. Friends are like sunlight: they help brighten up the day. Although face-to-face meetings and going out socially may be difficult, friends can always meet via virtual platforms for video chats and online games. It all helps to keep the mind and the heart happy. It may make things more difficult for romance, for example (we don’t know who Mason Plumlee is dating), but there will be plenty of opportunities for an NBA star when the quarantine is over (or maybe even during, if they are being creative).
There are many aspects to fitness. Physical exercise is an important component, but it’s just as important to keep the mind fit and strong. Family and friends are an essential part of this process. Just like basketball, life has ups and downs. While it might feel like the year 2020 has started on a difficult note, we can follow Mason’s lead and come out stronger when the pandemic is over.