By Cherish Broker, Contributing blogger
If working out from home has you down and you’re missing your gym (and seriously, aren’t we all), then it’s time to give your home workout an overhaul! Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced gym-goer, figuring out how to make the most out of home workouts can be a little bit stressful if you’re not sure how to start.
How can you hit your goals with limited or no equipment? How can you maintain (or create!) your fitness routine in a sustainable and healthy way?
If you’re asking yourself these questions, don’t worry. You’re not alone!
These helpful hacks will help you adjust to workout out at home and give you the tools to optimize your home workout. Just because the gyms are closed doesn’t mean you can’t hit your health and fitness goals!
1. Invest in Some Equipment
You don’t need a fully stocked and home gym to make the most out of your workout, but there are a few simple (and inexpensive!) pieces of equipment that will take your workouts to the next level.
- Booty Bands: Booty bands are a simple and affordable tool for increasing the difficulty of your leg and glute days. Plus they take up almost no space!
- Yoga Mat: You don’t need to be a yogi to reap the benefits of a yoga mat. Whether you’re doing pilates or bodyweight exercises, a yoga mat will protect your knees and hands by giving you a softer surface than your floor. Bonus points for a non-stick mat that can stand up to sweat!
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Resistance Bands: If you’re really missing the gym, these are a great option for increasing the difficulty of your workouts. You can pick up a set with door jams on the cheap to mimic some of your favorite gym equipment - and they’re stackable for those days you really want to push yourself!
2. Avoid Distractions
It doesn’t matter if it’s your roommates or your instant messaging app, distractions will pull you out of your routine. Try to choose a time to work out where you won’t be bothered by anyone else in your home, maybe that means working out in the morning before everyone else wakes up or doing a lunchtime workout when you’ve got the place to yourself.
If possible, avoid bringing your phone into your home gym. If you need it to play music or time sets, try turning it to do not disturb mode so that it doesn’t buzz and throw off your rhythm. Consider using a watch or clock to time your sets instead.
3. Warm-Up & Cool Down
Just because you’re working out at home doesn’t mean you should let your usual routine fall aside. Protect your body by making sure to warm up appropriately before you start your workout and kickstart the repair process by making sure to cool down afterward. It’s easy to get sidetracked and skip these steps, but they’re a critical component of a healthy home workout routine.
4. Find Workouts You Love
If you’re feeling like your workouts are going stale and you’re not sure how to change things up, try doing some workout videos. Whether you want to use an app or follow your favorite YouTube fitness guru, there are tons of choices out there. And a lot of those resources are free! The great thing about workout videos is that you can try a new kind of exercise, from aerobics to Zumba, every day without the pressure of a classroom setting. If you find a video you love, you can save it and keep coming back.
5. Don’t Go Overboard
You don’t need to spend two hours a day working out to see results. You can get plenty of sweating done in twenty minutes. Seriously, HIIT workouts are your new best frenemy. The most important thing when it comes to working out is consistency. Doing shorter workouts five days a week is better than doing two-hour workouts until you burn out.
