“Yesterday, I discouraged people who have been jogging in groups, exposing themselves to risk amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. You do not have to go outdoors to exercise. Here is my demonstration of how you can exercise indoors and stay safe.” That’s the message from Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, posted to his Twitter account on April 9, 2020. 

In the video, the 75 year old President can be seen running laps in a gray tracksuit from one end of his office to the other. After that, he throws down some pushups as onlookers count along with him up to 30.

“You do not have to go outdoors to exercise. Here is my demonstration of how you can exercise indoors and stay safe,” he said.

You can check out the video here:

#stayhomesavelives

Uganda, along with the rest of the world, has been going through a series of progressively tighter lockdowns. With schools closing on March 18th, along with public rallies, conferences and communal prayers, Ugandans have been doing their part to flatten the worldwide curve. March 31st brought with it a newly-imposed curfew, so it’s no wonder that the message has turned to what can be done from behind your own closed doors. They’re getting serious about people remaining in quarantine.

Though there is not a lot of great news surrounding the coronavirus pandemic these days, the health and wellness community has really come together to make sure everyone has access to tools that will help them remain healthy, both physically and mentally. Whether you’re looking for tutorials on how to do certain exercises, or you want whole workouts that you can follow along to, there’s a little something for everyone out there right now, and a lot of it’s free. Dance lessons, Zumba classes, Tai Chi, yoga, Pilates and more are all available at your fingertips. Just ask Google for what you need, and you’ll be handsomely rewarded. 

Perhaps one piece of good news that will eventually come out of this is a better collective understanding of how to exercise. President Yoweri Museveni is right; it doesn’t take much at all to get the blood pumping, and you certainly don’t need to leave your home to do it. Just because the gym is closed, doesn’t mean you can’t get a really great workout. All you need is a little inspiration, and maybe for you that will come in the form of a 75 year old Ugandan President in a tracksuit, getting his sweat on at the office.