The first day of early voting is far from over, and more than 70,000 people have already cast a vote in Harris County.

Long lines have been reported at about 10 voting locations, so it's important to remember you can vote at any Harris County location during early voting, which lasts until Oct. 30.

Why not use that time to get some exercise in?

Renew Houston: Get the latest wellness news delivered to your inbox

"The most important exercise to do is (your) exercise to vote, so way to go for getting out there and making your voice heard," said Shelby Saylor, association director of healthy living of YMCA of Greater Houston and a personal trainer.

Saylor and SilverSneakers 2019 Instructor of the Year Eliot Perez have some quick socially-distanced exercises you can do while waiting in line to perform your civic duty.

1. Calf raises

Stand with your legs slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Lift your heels off the ground for a few seconds at a time for 10 reps. Repeat as often as you like.

2. Stationary knee lifts

Stand with your legs hip-width apart. Slowly lift your right knee up to your chest. Set it back down and repeat, with your left knee. These are also called "high knees," but refrain from jumping while in line.

3. Ankle twists

Ankle twists are great for mobility. Stand up straight and lift the right foot a few inches off the ground. Try to trace the alphabet with your big toes, which will exercise the ankle. Do the same with the left foot. Trace the alphabet at least three times with both feet.

4. Squats

Stand with legs slightly more than shoulder-width apart, and squeeze your glutes when you sit down into the squat and again, when you stand up. When youre in the bottom of the squat, make sure your torso is not out beyond your knees. If your knees start hurting, take a rest. For toned inner thighs, do the squats with a narrower stance. Do reps of 10-12 and repeat as often as you like, or hold the squat until the line moves again.

How To: Build your own squat challenge

5. Lunges

Stand with your legs more than shoulder-width apart and lunge forward with the right leg. Try to keep the lunge stance for as long as you're in that spot in line. When the line moves again, switch to the other leg.

6. Wall-sit

This only applies if you're near a wall. Lean with your back on the wall and move to a sitting position with your knees and hips making a 90-degree angle this strengthens your quadriceps. Hold until the line moves again.

7. Sun gods or arm circles

Stand up straight and lift your arms to shoulder height. Make small circles with your hands, and gradually work up to bigger circles at the shoulder. Do reps of 20 and repeat as often as you like.

8. Stretch

Stand up straight, bend over and try to touch your toes. Swing your arms back and forth. Rotate your head backward and forward, side-to-side.

9. Jog in place

Make sure you have space between you and others in line before you attempt to jog in place. Also, if you don't think you can do this with a mask on, don't try it.

julie.garcia@chron.com

Twitter.com/reporterjulie

The rest is here:
9 exercises to do while waiting in line to vote - Houston Chronicle