FOR someone who is used to endurance challenges, being confined to training inside for two months was not the easiest thing for Luke Tyburski to adjust to.
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But as the Bathurst native has done so many times with his sporting pursuits, adjust he did.
It was because the man who once covered 2,000 kilometres in a 12-day ultra triathlon knows the importance of staying active.
"Living in the UK, our restrictions for roughly two months were stay at home, only leave for medical supplies, food, or exercise once a day," Tyburski said.
"Although my ultra-marathon races and extreme triathlons were cancelled, I knew if I kept some sort of routine, and maintained consistent training, I would benefit immensely both physically and mentally.
"I planned to run outside twice a week, and planned two cycling sessions indoors on my turbo trainer, all my other training was simply doing what I felt like when I woke up.
"[It was] A balance of structured training and fun with how I felt each day."
As well as being what he labels an 'endurance adventurer', Tyburski is also a health and mindset coach.
He points out it is not only athletes such as himself who will benefit from staying active while waiting for coronavirus restrictions to ease.
Tyburski says that everyone can benefit from finding a way to stay active and that given the current climate, the mental benefits that come with it are important.
"With so many races and competitions in uncertainty, staying active throughout this time is about maintaining a healthy body and mind and less about increasing fitness," he said.
"When active, we not only help our bodies function more efficiently, but it can also increase energy, vitality and self esteem through acknowledging that you did some exercise that day.
"Something, even a 10 minute walk around the block, is better than nothing."
Staying active throughout this time is about maintaining a healthy body and mind.
- Luke Tyburski
While many sporting codes are now permitted to conduct small group training sessions, Tyburski acknowledges that finding motivation may still be difficult for some people.
He encourages them to use social media platforms to help "make movement and being active a communal thing". Doing so creates both motivation and accountability.
"During the COVID lockdown, creating groups on messaging apps and planning when your community is going to train, and keeping in touch before and after your training session, can be a great way to feel part of a community and increase motivation through accountability," Tyburski said.
"Organising training sessions with your friends or teams via a video call has also been shown to increase motivation. Everyone seeing one another working hard while chatting to one another between exercises is a great way to stay connected with those you're used to spend your time with.
"During these uncertain times remember maintaining your health and minimising your loss of fitness is more important than heaping pressure on yourself to try and gain or increase your fitness when you don't have the same equipment, routine or supportive community around you."
As for what lies ahead for Tyburski, he said he as some 'fun challenges' planned.
