Staying active is important—now more than ever. Regular exercise helps to lift your mood, improve your health and manage stress better.

Like so many governmental offices in Arizona, the COVID-19 pandemic reduced Maricopa County offices to only essential functions. The County fitness facility was part of that reduction. Many employees at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office who regularly worked in a 30-minute yoga class at lunch or an after-work Zumba session have been relegated to workouts on their home patios and bike rides in their neighborhood.

Some quick-thinking Maricopa County fitness instructors are helping MCAO employees stay active and have moved their classes to Zoom and Facebook Live. Every Monday night, MCAO athletes-in-training can log on to Facebook and participate in their usual yoga class and twice a week, County fitness instructors are offering a group HIIT class through Zoom. Attendance is increasing, and for some it is the closest they will get to sweating it out with colleagues in the immediate future. Catherine Martin, MCAO Finance Bureau Chief, has been limbering up twice a week with her husband and kids. All four of them log on for a 30-minute HIIT class. They do it together and Catherine reports it’s a great way to end the “new work day and get some energy out.”

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office encourages everyone to stay active during COVID-19 and safely enjoy some outdoor activities while keeping these safety tips in mind:

• Take short, active breaks during the day, especially if you are teleworking and home-schooling.
• Take advantage of online exercise classes.
• Walk with your families, your dogs, and your headphones, all while practicing social distancing.
• Eat healthy and stay hydrated.