Working out at home can be a great alternative to hitting the gym. It’s pretty ideal, in fact. Here are a few tips for exercises you can do at home to keep fit and healthy.
Choose your at-home workout space:
Designate a corner in your home as your workout spot. You really only need a space the size of a yoga mat to have a bunch of options for an effective and efficient workout. It’s best to not exercise in the same place you watch TV or eat. This will help you focus and stay committed to your workout.
Put on your gym clothes:
Dress like you’re actually going to the gym. You’ll feel more like exercising when you’re wearing athletic clothes.
You might also find it helpful to put on your running shoes and do 15 minutes of house- or yard-work. It’s a great way to warm up and get a little extra energy before beginning your workout. You may also want to invest in good, supportive running shoes. Taking care of your feet is extremely important. So do some research into what type of shoe you need to wear for your workout.
Don’t worry about gym equipment:
You likely don’t need that much equipment, if any at all. The most effective are planking, body-weight squats, and push-ups. These three exercises involve many different muscle groups at the same time. They allow you to burn calories and build muscles with fewer exercises. It’s always important to have proper form to reduce the risk of injury. You can create your own circuit with these three exercises.
Use your device to get a new workout:
There are lots of routines out there, especially through apps, and many are free.
Try Fitplan: Gym & Home Workouts, GetFi: Home Workout & Fitness, or the Tone It Up app. They feature programs that guide you through daily workouts that you can do any place, any time – including at home. Most are free. Others have a free trial so you can see if you like them before committing to paying for them.
Set realistic goals:
Start slowly, trust your strength and treat your body well. You don’t have to jump into it full speed. Instead, commit to what you think is reasonable for your body and schedule what you can manage each week. Maybe three days a week will work to start. As you become more comfortable, start doing more. Try recording your times and reps and challenge yourself to improve them. Wood says this is a great way to keep track of your progress and encourage yourself to keep improving.
