Get Some Exercise at the Nearest Mall

It’s burning season in Thailand, which means the air quality is dangerously poor. You risk your health by simply taking a brisk walk around your neighborhood. People who can’t afford to own their own treadmill or stationary bike at home or hate standing in line to use one at the gym are often stuck when the air quality gets as bad as it is lately. 

It’s too dangerous to risk exercising outside. You’ll finish your aerobic workout and feel like you just smoked a pack of cigarettes.  

Exercising indoors with the air-con running provides a little relief from the air quality. Every modern air-conditioner has an air filter that filters outside dust, debris, pollen, mold, and hair. These filters are ranked for effectiveness on the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) scale. The MERV scale goes from 1-20. It’s recommended that you use filters rated between 8 and 13. You can check the rating yourself or ask the technician to check the next time you have your ACs serviced.

Exercising and Shopping

But any of the large, modern malls around Bangkok can also serve as your exercise facility. Obviously, you’d rather use them when they’re less busy, like when they first open. I’d also recommend keeping your pace down to a brisk walk so as not to scare or bother the other shoppers. 

Many seniors have discovered the convenience and comfort of using malls for air-conditioned places to burn off their excess calories. They’ve organized exercise groups that meet at the malls every day. They appreciate the convenience and the social aspect of meeting at the mall.

Although you may miss walking or jogging around your neighborhood, at least you can pick up some groceries or a quick snack when you finish exercising at the mall.