How to Work Out at Home

Short on time? Self-conscious about going to the gym? Need to be home with the kids? Learning how to work out at home may be the solution to help you reach your fitness goals. Home workouts are convenient, saving you time and money, and they're easy to do with little to no special equipment. Here's why and how to start working out at home.

 

BENEFITS OF HOME WORKOUTS

There are plenty of benefits that make home workouts more appealing than heading to the gym.

 

Location, Location, Location

There's nothing easier than rolling out of bed and hopping on a spin bike in your own basement, or carving out some "you time" after putting the kids to bed by practicing yoga in the living room. Forget your sports bra or your running shoes? They're just down the hall in your closet.

 

Save Time and Money

When you eliminate the commute to the gym, your training time becomes more efficient than ever. And with gym fees often running $50-$100 per month, you'll see substantial savings when you create workout space at home.

 

Motivation

One of the best benefits of working out at home is the boost it can give to your motivation. Too tired to drive to the gym? Just throw on some workout clothes and start training on the spot, anytime you want.

 

Multi-Tasking

For many people, balancing time to work out with work, family, chores, and social commitments is daunting. When you work out at home, however, you can maximize your time by multi-tasking. Supervise homework from the treadmill, or set your toddler up with a coloring book while you crunch and squat. Switch the laundry in between sets, or tackle a cardio session during the same 45 minutes that dinner is in the oven.

 

Comfort

Your gym-timidation will drop to zero when you work out at home. Forget about whether you're wearing the right workout clothes or look awkward doing squats you'll be completely at ease in the privacy of your own home. You also control the environment during your home workouts including music, TV, air flow, and temperature.

 

HOW TO WORKOUT AT HOME

How to start working out at home? It's easy. Here are a few tips to help you begin.

 

Start Simple

You don't need a dedicated home gym or any expensive equipment to start working out at home. Cardio exercises like stair repeats or jumping jacks can be done anywhere, anytime. Strength training exercises are equally easy to do at home just pick a space on the floor or in your yard for push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and planks.

 

Equip Yourself

If you do want to add equipment to your home fitness routine, invest in some basic items like dumbbells, an exercise ball, resistance bands, a jump rope, or a yoga mat. As your commitment to exercise increases, you may find that additional equipment is appropriate for you. A stationary bike trainer is a relatively inexpensive way to convert a road or mountain bike into an indoor spin bike. A treadmill or elliptical machine is a larger investment, but worthwhile if you'll use it often. You may be able to find deals on used equipment so your home gym won't break the bank.

 

Schedule It

Although working out at home is a great way to bolster your motivation, you may still need to schedule your workout time in order to make it a regular habit. As easy as it is to head to the spare room for a strength session, it's also easy to get sidetracked by the sofa! Schedule your workout time for the first few weeks and stick to your training sessions like you would any other appointments.

 

Partner Up

Training with a partner is a great way to make working out more fun and help keep each other accountable as you work toward your fitness goals. Partner with a family member or invite a friend over to workout with you. You can put in the work, then enjoy cooling down and catching up socially over a post-workout protein shake.

 

Hydrate at Home

Be sure to stay hydrated during your home workouts, just like you would at the gym. Keep a bottle close at hand so you'll remember to drink plenty of fluids all throughout your workout. The BlenderBottle SportMixer Twist Grip is an ideal choice. It's a hybrid water bottle/protein shaker, so you can sip water or sports drink while you sweat, then use it to mix a recovery shake when you're finished.

 

Now that you know how to workout at home, what's stopping you? Ready, set, sweat!