(Arlington, VA, Tuesday, April 14, 2020) – The coronavirus pandemic has created great uncertainty and with the closing of gyms, social distancing and with “stay-at-home” orders, being active and staying connected seems more difficult than ever, yet necessary. So rather than letting the lockdown be a reason not to get active…why not take this opportunity to make some healthy choices?

Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the American Institute for Cancer Research’s (AICR’s) Strava Club is a resource to help people incorporate more physical activity into daily routines. Strava is a fitness tracking platform that records a person’s activities and provides an online community to keep people motivated and supported. Anyone can join for free, no matter age or fitness level.

Any plan for incorporating physical activity into a daily routine must be consistent with a person’s local circumstances and safety must be taken in to account. If allowed by local authorities, go outside and ride a bike or take a walk. If restricted to indoors, try yoga or body weight exercises. The key to any physical activity is to follow social distancing measures to protect a one’s own health and that of others, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Any of these activities can add up to 30 minutes of activity per day, which is recommended by AICR for cancer prevention. Aim for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. It doesn’t have to be all at once; if you’re just starting to get active, maybe try 10 minutes three times a day …and see how quickly they add up This will create positivity and help everyone reduce cancer risk in the process. Join AICR Get Active 150 Strava Challenge which started on April 1!

The American Institute for Cancer Research helps the public understand the relationship between lifestyle, nutrition and cancer risk. We work to prevent cancer through innovative research, community programs and impactful public health initiatives.