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Airdrie trainer releases COVID-19 fitness book

A local fitness trainer has compiled a book filled with workouts and tips people can use to stay fit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A local fitness trainer has compiled a book filled with workouts and tips people can use to stay fit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With the pandemic that is going on, and gyms being closed down, I know this has been a struggle for everyone,” said Jay Raymundo, author of Become Your Best Self – COVID-19 Home Workouts.

Raymundo is the owner of NRG Fitness, the head trainer at F45 Training Airdrie and the strength and conditioning coach at the Airdrie Martial Arts Centre. He has worked in the local fitness industry for 15 years as a personal trainer and fitness instructor.

He said as the pandemic took hold of the province and gyms began shutting down last spring, he started offering complimentary workouts via YouTube to help people stay committed to their fitness goals from home.

“Over the year, I had been designing COVID-19-themed workouts, featuring 19 workouts in total,” he said. “I just wanted to help people understand that they can work out from home and find structure and a program to get that done.”

According to Raymundo, after switching to an online format for his clients, he found the biggest struggle for most people was finding the motivation to continue on their fitness journey.

Another struggle was structure and knowing what to do, he said, adding the book provides details on how to get started.

“You don’t need a large amount of space or a bunch of equipment,” he said.

The turnaround for Raymundo to complete the book was fairly quick. He said he started with his YouTube videos from May 2020, and by December, had compiled everything he wanted to include in the book. By Jan. 25, the book was independently published and ready for sale on Amazon.com.

“With the pandemic still relevant, it drove me to get the book out there,” he said. “Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s going to be going away anytime soon.”

While many find comfort inside of a gym, Raymundo said preparing your mindset for sudden facility closures and changes the pandemic has brought – and adapting to home workouts – is crucial to fitness success during the pandemic.

“This book is a great tool to help with mental health and physical fitness,” he said. “I hope it helps people become better during the pandemic.”

Raymundo said the pandemic has shown him that people really do want to get fit and stay active, regardless of external circumstances.

“There are still a lot of people who are motivated to stay fit,” he said. “I have also found that a lot more people have come to realize they feel more comfortable working out from home.”

Raymundo, who has won and placed in multiple bodybuilding competitions, including first place in the 2009 International Drug Free Athletics (IDFA) Men’s Novice Bodybuilding competition and third place in 2009’s open competition, said fitness is a key way of maintaining both mental and physical health.

“I think it is one of the best stress relievers out there,” he said. “The second part, with physical health, you are less likely to get sick because of a strong immune system and less likely to get injured. As you age, it becomes more vital to stay fit and healthy.”

For anyone interested in buying Become Your Best Self – COVID-19 Home Workouts, it is now available on Amazon.

Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz

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