Simplicity may have been the key for you since social distancing restrictions came into play - going out for a family bike ride, neighbourhood walk or jog or perhaps taking a frisbee or soccer ball to your local park.

In many ways it has allowed a reset - to ask yourself why is that you play sport, run, cycle, swim et cetera.

It might have required some creativity - to reinvent how you exercise and stay motivated to your health and fitness goals.

There has been a lot of great ideas and suggestions out there. That is one thing I have noticed and if you have been searching for inspiration then you would not have had to look too far.

I am not on social media much but when I have checked in my news feed has been full of gyms and PTs who have made the move online sharing their knowledge and workouts to keep others moving.

There have also been loads of virtual challenges that have kept people on task. Last weekend, many took part in the 42.2km in 42 hours initiative, started by Australian runners Jo and Shannon Lum to help others beat the coronavirus blues by running 42.2km in 42 hours, either individually or in a team, between 6pm on May 1 and midday on May 3.

On a post-event facebook wrap they reported over 11,500 people united from 74 countries and 100 cities to complete the challenge in what is a challenging time for all. They are reportedly in the process of setting another for June.

It is initiatives like this that are helping to keep people moving, motivated and connected - three vital things for this time in our lives.

The Mother's Day Classic, usually held at various locations around the country and raising funds for breast cancer research, was staged on Sunday. It went virtual for the first time with runners and walkers doing 4km or 8km basically anywhere then uploading their runs.

A new virtual event that has been created to fill the void for pretty much anyone anywhere is the AW139 Ultra for Everyone.

The initiative is supporting the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS) and Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter and is the brainchild of triathlon coach Pete Hodgson, of Just Dig Deeper Tri Coaching. A series of challenges for all fitness levels offers participants the opportunity to complete a range of swimming, cycling, running or triathlon targets over the month of June.

Event spokesperson Paul Humphreys, of multisport event company H Events, said the challenge hopes to raise over $30,000 for WRHS as well as promote their AW139 helicopters used every day to save lives.

Every option within the eight challenges are structured around the number 139.

"I was approached by some very passionate [Westpac Rescue] Helicopter Service supporters who had a great idea for an event which highlights that the service the WRHS provides is free, but comes with substantial costs," Mr Humphreys said.

"After much discussion with our team we have moulded the idea into an event that gives participants of all fitness levels the opportunity to be involved in a structured Virtual Race environment."

To participate in the virtual event, participants enter, select their discipline then complete the tasks either weekly or monthly. They include swimming, cycling (on road or mountain bike), running/walking or triathlon, in short or long combinations of the number 139. Participants will be able to log their completed tasks on a results page and include maps and pictures they want to share with other participants.

Challenges available include short and long running or walking options requiring participants to run/walk 13.9km every week or 139km in total during the four weeks.

Cycling has the same options. Swimmers can choose 1.39km each week or a total of 13.9km in the month. With many pools still closed, Mr Humphreys said each 1.39km swim can be substituted with 139 push-ups.

There is a triathlon option. It is 139km in total of 2km swimming/200 push-up, 110km riding and 27km running.

The final option is the Ultra139. It comprises four 1.39km swims, four 139km rides and four 34.75km runs. That totals 5.56km for swimming, 556km for cycling then 139km running in the month.

If this is exactly the challenge you have been waiting for during life in lockdown, or perhaps to kickstart your fitness with the possibility of community sport returning in a few months, then you can find more information about the AW139 virtual event at hevents.com.au/events/aw139ufe/.

15-20 minutes plus warm-up and cool-down

Option 1 (lower intensity): 15 squats, 15 step-ups, 15 push-ups (modified if needed by using a wall or table), 15 bent-over rows, 30-second plank hold. Repeat with 10 of each and 20sec plank hold then 5 of each and 10sec plank hold.

Option 2 (moderate intensity): 10 squats, 5 inch worm walk-outs, 10 push-ups, 20 lunges, run 2min. Repeat twice.

Option 3 (vigorous intensity): 20 seconds on, 10seconds rest. Five exercises, eight sets of each. Squats with shoulder press, 1 push-up with 10 mountain climbers, dead lift with rows, plyo lunges, burpees.

- Renee Valentine is a journalist, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.