Instagram has over 191 million posts under the #gym hashtag. But how are you supposed to get ripped during quarantine or keep your hard-won gains if all the gyms are closed? Break out all your G&E gear: it has everything you need to keep you in shape and ready for when productions start back up. [Ed. Note: Brush up on your production lingo here]
Be sure to consult a physician or department head before working out. You are your indie producer on this, so prioritize safety and know all liability lies with you.
Warm-Up:
Stinger Sprints
Unroll a 50 ft stinger and spend at least 15 minutes sprinting from one end to the other.
Missing set? Place an apple box at one end, take a seat, then leap into action after pretending someone ordered a flag. Sprint to the ‘truck’ end, grab the flag, return to the apple box, realize no one wants the flag anymore, and sprint it back to the ‘truck.’
Workout:
Advanced Apple Box
The apple box is clearly a multi-use fitness friend.
Step-Ups:
It’s a box. Lay it Los Angeles and step up, then step down. Much like your career during COVID, you won’t appear to be making much progress, but if you keep it up you can work up a sweat.
Alternatives: Step up sideways to work different muscles. Alternate stepping down with only one leg at a time, don’t fully touch the ground and return to top of box for a modified one-legged squat. You can also add weights to further challenge yourself.
Push-Ups:
There are a variety of push-up options with your apple box. The only limit is your imagination and over Cheeto-ed chest muscles.
Box Jumps:
If you have more than one apple box, mimic the Big Apple and tape two together for Box Jumps. Make sure to properly tape your apples together for safety, ie: wipe all the dust off your gaff tape. If your vertical jump isn’t where you want it, work your way up.
Stellar Sandbag
Not only does the sandbag keep you safe on set, but it’s the perfect tool to build your core muscles. Sandbags come in a variety of weights (15, 25, 35) so choose wisely as you work out.
Squats:
If you’re missing the kettlebell from your local gym, switch it out for a sandbag.
Classic Squat: Hold the sandbag in front of you at chest height, squat, and repeat.
One Arm Squat: Hold sandbag at shoulder height in one hand, squat, as you stand, lift sandbag until arm fully extended up to work arms as well as legs.
Abs:
Increase your workout by using a sandbag instead of a perfectly balanced medicine ball so you improve your core and your balance.
Sandbag Twists: Sitting up with feet lifted off the floor, engage abs and alternate touching the sandbag to each side of your waist.
Sandbag Sit-Up: Lay flat with the sandbag lifted in the air above your head. Crunch or sit-up to raise the sandbag higher in the air. Now you’re getting shredded!
Sandbag Stretch: Laying face-down, place the sandbag arms-length out in front of you. Get into elbow plank position and alternate reaching your arms out to touch the sandbag.
Crushin’ It C-Stand
The C-stand is another versatile piece of equipment. Pretend an actor, not yourself, will be using this equipment so you do the safest job possible when setting up and working out.
Barbell:
The c-stand is the perfect barbell. If you’re just starting out, you can use just the bar, add legs for more weight, or add sandbags to each end to level up your workout.
Bench Press:
Move into a supine position by placing a blanket or towel down on your light kit to make the perfect bench in your at-home gym.
Cool Down:
Congratulations! You’ve managed to create an at-home workout using your G&E gear! Now, order yourself some pizza as a second-meal while you put everything away.
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Note From Tongal: "Lights, Camera, Workout: Stay Fit Using Your Film Gear" is part of a series of Tongal Community-written blog posts that were originally sourced in the Tongal Blog Open Call Project. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Tongal. Read more Tongal Community-written posts here and then Pitch us a topic you'd like to write about for the Tongal Blog!
