Changes at Home to Give You the Most in Your Workout
Uncategorized / By Allison / October 27, 2021
Home workouts have become increasingly popular over the last few years. The COVID-19 pandemic created an even bigger surge in home fitness since many gyms across the country closed their doors for a while. Technological advances have also fueled things forward. Now, many Americans are choosing to keep working out at home rather than going back to the gym.
Why? Because there are a variety of benefits to working out at home. It allows you to be flexible, work on the things that matter to you, and you can avoid paying for a gym membership.
One of the potential drawbacks, though, is finding the motivation to work as hard as you would in a traditional gym setting. There are many distractions at home, and certain habits you have might make it harder to give your all in each workout session.
So, what can you do to give yourself the best opportunity for a killer workout each day? Making small changes at home can make a big difference.
Develop a Routine
Making changes at home starts with making changes to yourself.
Whether you’re working remotely or still heading into the office each day, a good rule of thumb is to establish a schedule/routine. Healthy routines don’t have to be overwhelming. Keep these tips in mind to get started:
Take “baby steps”
Make swaps for unhealthy things you do each day
Plan ahead
Make time for things you love
Reward the small victories
The easiest way to start your routine is by waking up and going to sleep at the same time each day. Getting the right amount of sleep is crucial to making sure you can get in a good workout. Not only does getting better sleep replenish your body, but it can help to ward off mental health conditions like depression. Depression often causes fatigue, which could hinder how motivated you are to exercise. Even the way you sleep can make a difference. Different positions can help with certain aches and pains, ensuring that you wake up rested, healthy, and feeling good.
In addition to getting enough rest at night, make sure that frequent breaks are a part of your daily routine. That’s especially important when you work at home and find yourself lacking motivation throughout the day. Take breaks when you’re feeling sluggish, and use them as an opportunity to get moving. Walking around the block or stretching in your office might not be your idea of a good workout, but it can get you in an active mindset and make you more motivated to exercise later.
Create the Optimal Space
You don’t need a huge home gym to get in a great workout. But, you do need enough space to move around and not feel cramped. If being in a small space makes you uncomfortable or on edge, you have options.
Consider moving your workout space outside, like on a balcony, where you can decorate with multifunction pieces and a TV for fitness videos. It still gives you the privacy you might want, while allowing you the freedom of fresh air. Plus, you’ll reap the bonus mental health benefits of spending time in nature. Spruce up your balcony for workouts by adding things like:
Adequate lighting
Furniture
Live plants
Tech tools
Bringing a touch of personality to your home workout space, even if it’s outside, is a great motivational tool that can inspire you every day.
Find Workouts You Enjoy
There’s no one “ideal” way to working out at home. One of the benefits of exercising in your own space is that you can design custom workouts to fit your needs.
It can be harder to find the motivation to work out at home when you’re not surrounded by fancy gym equipment or other people working out. So, finding things you enjoy doing will make a big difference in how frequently you work out and how much effort you put into it.
If you want to get the most out of each workout, consider switching things up until you find routines that you really enjoy. Some options include:
Pilates
Yoga
Spinning
Jumping rope
Running on a treadmill
Weight training
If you don’t feel equipped to work out completely on your own, there’s never been a more perfect time to switch to home workouts. There are countless videos online that can guide you through just about any workout routine. You can even invest in specific programs that will virtually connect you with a trainer or live classes, so you can participate with others who will motivate you each day.
As you can see, you don’t have to make drastic changes at home to get the most out of your workouts. If you’ve decided to ditch your gym membership, you’re not alone. Staying active at home is about reducing distractions, staying motivated, and finding what works for you. Keep these ideas in mind to make your workouts more effective and more enjoyable.