Even the most committed fitness enthusiast can’t always make it to the gym. Lately, many regular gym-goers are finding it harder to access their usual facilities. Instead of skipping planned workouts, more people are turning to home exercise as the obvious alternative.
Any workout is better than none, but don’t use being at home as an excuse to take it easy. Home workouts don’t have to be just about maintaining fitness — you can progress and make real gains from home too.
If you want your at-home sessions to be as effective as your full gym workouts, try these five tips — they might even make you prefer exercising at home.
1. Workout at the Right Time
When you exercise matters, but there’s no single perfect time. Morning workouts have benefits, and so do afternoon or evening sessions. Pick the time that fits your life and stick with it as much as you can. If mornings help you burn fat and lose weight, keep them. If you like exercising after work or at lunch, that works fine too. The key is consistency. Working out at different times every day is okay, but it can make staying motivated harder.
2. Use Your Favorite Devices
Your gadgets can be a big help during home workouts. Phone apps can give you new plans, and wearables can monitor your heart rate. Smart speakers are handy too — not just for music, but for asking Alexa or Siri to put together a quick routine when you need variety. Don’t forget the tech you already own; used well, it can make your workouts more effective and more fun.
3. Always Warm Up
Skipping a warmup is one of the easiest ways to get hurt at home. It’s easy to fall into the habit of getting straight to work when you’re comfortable at home, but that increases the risk of pulled muscles or tendons. Those injuries can keep you from exercising properly for weeks. Do some stretches first, then move into low-intensity dynamic exercises like lunges, knee hugs, or slow weight lifts to loosen up.
4. Schedule Your Workout Time
Because home workouts are flexible, they’re easy to put off. Put your workouts on your calendar like any other appointment — you’re much more likely to do them. Life happens, so don’t feel bad if you sometimes have to skip a scheduled session. The advantage of working out at home is that you can usually fit it in when you have a spare moment.
5. Get the Kids Involved
If you have kids, bring them into your routine. Exercise doesn’t have to mean an hour of weights. Play tag in the yard, go for a family bike ride, kick a ball around, go swimming, or play Just Dance on your console. These activities work as cardio, count as family time, and are good for everyone’s health.
Start Working Out at Home Today
If you can’t get to the gym, home workouts are a solid solution. You might not have all the gym equipment, but there’s plenty you can do. If you’re worried about losing your exercise habit, explore the many home workout guides online to help you build a plan that works.