It's a strange time of isolation and uncertainty as we collectively try to combat the coronavirus pandemic by practicing social distancing. But we can't stop moving.
If anything, sports and athletic pursuits are more crucial now than ever to provide a welcomed reprieve from the seriousness of the situation. Also, let's not sleep on the power of endorphins to combat stress. While many of us regular people have turned to YouTube and Instagram Live to stream sweat-inducing videos, some overachievers and professional athletes have gotten a bit more creative while going it alone.
In honor of National Fitness Day (first Saturday in May in the U.S.), we're taking a look at the individuals who aren't letting quarantine halt their workout grind. From the young legend who perfectly imitated the "Bad Boy of Bowling" while running the table in a tasteful game of Lego bowling to Houston Rockets' star Russell Westbrook, who flexed his athleticism in socks on a sand volleyball court, these innovators are making the most of their time at home:
Window table tennis ...
Table tennis, sans table. This is what we call improvisation at its finest. While people who suffer from vertigo might want to steer clear of this one, you have to give them props for their commitment. We're also going to assume they've got a solid supply of balls, because this game is one drop away from an untimely cancellation. No pressure, no diamonds?
how I plan to continue to do sports when I am quarantined #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/fKK8FJeW0k
โ Olya (@riseandshine113) March 16, 2020
Tile-floor treadmill ...
It's called ingenuity, look it up. While we can neither confirm nor deny that this is a safe way to break a sweat, in theory it's pretty brilliant.
During this weird time of isolation and quarantine we must find ways to work-out on our own...๐คฃ๐ญ๐pic.twitter.com/mmvAXWj6OM
โ Rex Chapman๐๐ผ (@RexChapman) March 17, 2020
Part 2 ...
This guy had the same idea. No gym. no problem.
Day 2 of #QuarantineLife
โ Ironside (@IronsideDontsa) March 17, 2020
Since gym is closed ๐คท๐พโโ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/Verl8N81Ch
Rooftop group fitness class ...
The art of working out alone together. Nailed it. Props to this community for uniting in favor of movement.
Driveway dedication ...
Tennessee Titans' offensive linemen Ben Jones doesn't need your gym. Jones used a weighted vest, a medicine ball, a dumbbell and a band attached to a pickup truck to get physical in his driveway.
Side of the house, pickup truck, Ben Jones can find a gym anywhere. ๐ช๐ฝ #FitnessFriday pic.twitter.com/FQZiO1t8X5
โ Tennessee Titans (@Titans) March 20, 2020
Toilet paper juggling ...
Who needs a ball when you have toilet paper? OK, she clearly has both at her disposal but still respect the desire to branch out. Due to the heightened demand for TP, we're going to assume she put that roll back on the rack when she was done.
Ice cube buckets ...
While some of us haven't changed out of our pajamas in days, this guy is out here in a headband and JJ Redick jersey making it rain. Ice in his veins. Splash. Did you see what we did there with the water references?
Simone strength ...
Simone Biles is superhuman. Change our mind. We don't even know what this workout is technically called, so we'll just go with "strong flex of superior upper body strength." It's sort of mesmerizing, don't you think?
Dogs who can ball ...
This good boy's got ups. 10/10 would hoop with him.
Treadmill hockey ...
A legend in the making. Kaden is clearly adhering to the "no days off" philosophy. Pro tip: You should probably master this one on solid ground before taking it to the treadmill.
The barefoot Brodie ...
OK, he's not technically barefoot since he's rocking socks, but the alliteration was too good to pass up. Triple-double machine Russell Westbrook worked on his footwork with some agility drills in the sand, and in keeping with his play on the court, he want hard.
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฝ๐๐ผ๐๐ ๐ค
โ Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 27, 2020
(via @justtrain) pic.twitter.com/SUqzefMlZ6
Trophy cup trick shot ...
The execution? Flawless. The enthusiasm? Unmatched. Props to Zeke for getting after it. Trae Young would be proud.
Trophy Cup Trick Shot #6yr #zeketrickshots #InHouseChallenge @TheTraeYoung #basketball #trick #SCtop10 #whistleworthy #houseofhighlights #basketballkid #trickshot pic.twitter.com/KVBAn9aIsw
โ ZEKEtrickSHOTS (@ShotsZeke) March 17, 2020
Lego bowling ...
Get the strike, break out your best Pete Weber impression. If this 4-year-old's "Who do you think you are? I AM!" celebration doesn't get you hyped we don't know what will.
How's about a little @PDWBowling impression from my 4 year old during Lego bowling? I think he nailed it!
โ Nick Jakusz (@NickWithAMic) March 19, 2020
"Who do you think you are?! I AM! ๐ณ#QuarantineLife @PBATour @SportsCenter #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/zVNf2idqkf
Skate rope ...
Professional athletes are generally more coordinated than the rest of us, but jumping rope while rocking ice skates? That's a new level of impressive. Olympic figure skater Jason Brown flexed his ridiculous skill on the deck outside his house, and suddenly all of our athletic achievements seem trivial.
U.S. figure skater @jasonbskates can skip rope with his skates on. ๐ฎ#StayStrong #StayActive #StayHealthy@USFigureSkating pic.twitter.com/ThT76aHJ9o
โ Olympic Channel (@olympicchannel) April 7, 2020
Human hungry hippos ...
In perhaps the best video of them all, this nursing home in South Wales turned self-isolation sports up a notch with this awesome game of human hungry hippos.
Omg Bryn Celyn Care Home in south Wales does self isolation human hungry hippos ๐ฅฐ ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ pic.twitter.com/PJvSyZVwAw
โ Catrin Nye (@CatrinNye) March 20, 2020
Chipping challenge ...
Who needs the driving range when you can chip from inside your home (to your front yard)? The Blaum family shard this impressive feat, and now you have to excuse us as we must go practice our swings for the duration of the weekend.
Day 5 of no sports and this is what it has come to in the Blaum household #InHouseChallenge #SportsCenterTop10 @espn @barstoolsports @FoulPoleSports @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/mAXTmqULxv
โ Tyler Blaum (@TBlaum11) March 17, 2020
Pop-A-Shot from range ...
HOW? He's draining those from way beyond the arc, and we need answers.
( @LethalShooter__ ) how is this even possible.. What drills have you all been doing at home during this quarantine to stay sharp? pic.twitter.com/qzRlGCrtiS
โ Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 19, 2020
Balcony bingo ...
OK, so maybe this doesn't necessarily count as sports or exercise, but you still have to give props where it's due. Whoever came up with the idea for this community-wide bingo game is a real one.
JAJAJA QUE ESTรN JUGANDO AL BINGO EN LOS BALCONES. pic.twitter.com/PGRrCScSEQ
โ โ๐ฑ๐๐๐๐๐ (@Anagnofobia) March 14, 2020
Quarantine combine ...
While some of us are binge-watching television shows, Gia is busy upping her draft stock. Her hand size might be cause for concern at the quarterback position, but no more so than Joe Burrow's.
Quarantine Combine Day 4. Media Interviews to follow pic.twitter.com/VClyqD4YLJ
โ Vincent Grasso (@vinnygrasso2) March 19, 2020