Working out at home is a real lifesaver during these challenging times. Many places are closed or not recommended for visiting. It’s recommended to stay home, which naturally means less physical activity. However, structuring your routine to include one workout session a day breaks up the monotony, gets you moving, and is also beneficial for your mental health.
To help you get the most out of your home workouts, we’ve put together some tips and advice on how to make the most of them.
1. Make a home workout plan and stick to it
Your typical routine at home probably involves eating, staring out the window, and flipping through the TV channels to find something to watch. Many people are working from home, so they don’t have to go out for anything other than grocery shopping all day long.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t establish a new routine within the current restrictions. This is important for both your physical and mental health. Consistency and planning are the key words here. Set aside a specific time each day for physical activity and stick to that plan every day. That’s exactly how you’ll develop this healthy habit that puts your physical and mental health first.
How far in advance should you plan your at-home workouts?
It’s a good idea to sit down every Sunday and plan your at-home workouts for the coming week. This will help you stay on track during the week, even when your motivation dips. But if you’re not much of a planner, at least take a moment each evening to add your at-home workout to your schedule for the next day. Take your plan seriously and treat each workout as a very important appointment.
2. Set up a space for your home workouts
Choose one specific spot in your home that you’ll dedicate to your home workouts. Designating a specific space helps you focus on your workout and make it more effective.
Not all of us live in homes with enough space for a fully equipped home gym, but that doesn’t mean you can’t set aside a small area for your workouts —even if it’s temporary and you “take it apart” after your workout. Although it would be more effective if you could leave that space set up. This will motivate you to use that space more often.
3. A lack of equipment doesn’t prevent you from working out at home
You don’t need a full set of equipment, from dumbbells to mats and resistance bands. Just because you might not have equipment at home doesn’t mean you can’t have great workouts. Don’t underestimate the power of your body weight for training. There are plenty of exercises where you can provide a decent workout for every muscle group without additional weights.
But you can also get creative and substitute water bottles for dumbbells, a chair for a step bench, and a broomstick for a gymnastic bar. With a little ingenuity, you can successfully find most of your workout equipment right in your own home.
4. Put on your workout clothes
You might be surprised at how something as small as changing your clothes can boost your motivation to work out. So every time you plan to start a workout, be sure to swap out your regular clothes for workout gear.
5. Find a workout buddy to track your progress with
If you’re planning to work out at home but are having a hard time making it a part of your daily routine, ask a friend for help. While you’re staying home, finding a (virtual) workout buddy is a fun way to stay motivated. Find a friend or family member who’s willing to commit to consistent workouts, and then plan regular virtual workouts together using Skype, Messenger, or Zoom. It’s much easier to stick to a workout plan when you have a motivating partner.
6. Eliminate Distractions During Your Home Workout
Working out at home is convenient and fun, but there are also many distractions. We recommend removing all distractions before you start your workout so you can focus 100% on your routine. Turn off the TV, put your phone on silent, and play your favorite music to keep the right rhythm and mood.
7. Don’t forget to stretch
Warming up before a workout and stretching afterward are likely a regular part of your gym routine. So why should it be any different at home? Stretching is so important for your muscles. Now that you might have a little more time while working out at home, you can spend 10 minutes before and after your workouts warming up and stretching your muscles to keep them strong and flexible.
by Brit Mesipuu
