Everyone totally loves forking out money on the regular for a gym membership that gathers the figurative dust, right? Oh, what’s that? You don’t love it? Well, in that case, it might be time to start looking at the alternatives. Start by looking at why you don’t go to the gym. Does it make you feel overwhelmed or intimidated? Does it take too much time out of your day? Do you just hate putting on pants? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, there’s good news! You can get in shape in the comfort of your own home. Read on to discover how.
1. Create a home gym
A home gym is no longer restricted to the rich and famous. You don’t need every conceivable piece of fitness equipment to get a great workout, and the equipment you do want is extremely easy to get your hands on thanks to specialist retailers like Fitness Market. Get some expert advice, learn how to use any machines you get, and if you’re completely new to the game, consider getting some professional programming to start you off on the right foot.
2. Learn about bodyweight training
Bodyweight training is massive in many fitness circles. It’s based on the idea that your own body is the only weight you need to build lean muscle mass and lose fat. Different styles have different names, including calisthenics and Zuu, so if it’s something you are interested in be sure to check out what each style involves. Or you can just keep it basic to begin with – squats, lunges, push-ups and sit-ups can be challenging enough. The best part about bodyweight training is the ability to do it almost anywhere. You don’t have to interrupt your routine for little things like work trips or holidays!
3. Use what you have
Try and see your home in a new light. Your couch isn’t just a couch – it’s actually perfect for dips. Your sturdy coffee table? It’s actually a bench for step-ups. Are there small humans in your family? Throw them on your shoulders while you work out for an extra level of difficulty. Working out at home can be extremely interesting and varied if you apply a bit of creativity!
4. Get out and about
Yes, the title does say ‘at home’. But walking keeps you close to home, and there’s a heap of benefits so it seemed like a necessary addition to this list. As far as low impact, low intensity exercise goes, you can’t go past walking. You don’t need heaps of equipment, you don’t need extensive knowledge, and there are a wide range of other positive effects attached to this basic human movement. If you don’t want to commit to anything else, try and get out for a 20 minute walk a few times each week. Your body and mind will thank you for it.
5. Discover your interest
Many people discover the most difficult aspect of working out at home is keeping motivated. That’s why you should put a little effort into uncovering your interests. Boxing, aerobics, yoga – no matter what floats your boat, if you find it and invest some time into it, you are much more likely to stay interested, stay on track and keep in shape with much less mental effort.
Do you work out at home? What’s your favourite piece of equipment, workout or motivation tip?