A home workout can have many advantages compared to visiting a gym. You cut down on driving, you skip the long lines and you control the playlist. Plus, regardless of the weather, you can remain warm and dry (or cooler in the summer).
Maybe the only thing that would make staying home even more rewarding would be making your exercise sessions extra effective.
Try these suggestions for creating and using a home gym that will help you to become slimmer and fitter in less time.
How to Design an Effective Home Gym:
1. Designate a space. Being able to set aside an entire room may be ideal, but you can make any layout work. If you’re short on space, arrange a gym in one corner of your basement or studio apartment. You can try and put your equipment out of sight when you’re done, or leave it visible and make a feature of it!
2. Clear away distractions. Make it easier to concentrate by storing work materials and children’s toys elsewhere. Unless you're following a program turn your phone off so you can't be tempted to text.
3. Stock up on equipment. There’s plenty of gear that you can pick up even on a tight budget. If you have space you can invest in anything from a deluxe treadmill to a fully loaded weight bench or scale right back to just some resistance bands and a yoga mat.
4. Go online. For endless variety, use your phone or set up a monitor so you can watch fitness videos. Sign up for a fitness app program or visit YouTube for inspiration.
How to Make the Most of Your Home Workout:
1. Focus on whole body movements. Compared to exercises that target single muscles, compound movements are more efficient. You will burn more calories and build more muscle if you spend more time doing push-ups instead of bicep curls.
2. Be comprehensive. Train for strength, heart health, flexibility and balance. Vary your workouts instead of sticking to just the exercises that you like. A well planned home workout can give you a highly effective full body challenge.
3. Try interval training. You may have seen studies that show that interval training increases the benefits of exercising. To get started, alternate between high-intensity activities and less demanding movements. Gradually make your workouts more challenging by increasing the intensity, pace or resistance.
4. Find a buddy. When you workout with a friend, you can share feedback, encouragement and laughs. Invite a neighbour or coworker to join you.
5. Set goals. It’s common to reach a plateau after you’ve been working out for a while. If you want to stay motivated or keep making gains, give yourself targets to strive for. You might decide to work out for at least 30 minutes at least 3 days a week or take an inch off your waist within 30 days.
6. Track your progress. Once you establish goals, you can measure them. Keep a journal logging your workouts and performance. Reward yourself when you reach each milestone.
7. Have fun. Remember to have a good time. If you love training with kettlebells then use them. If you enjoy watching nature shows while you’re running on the treadmill or listening to your favourite albums set up your screen or hook up your headphones and get started. You’ll be more likely to stick to your workout program.
8. Use good form. Protect yourself from injuries by doing exercises properly. If you’re a beginner, you may want to take a class or work with a trainer to receive the instructions you need.
9. Rest up. Giving your body adequate time to recover will also help you to stay safe and strong. If you have no signs of overtraining like fatigue or persistent muscle soreness, you may prefer active rest like going for a gentle walk on your days off.
10. Talk to your doctor. Discuss any individual concerns with your physician. That’s especially important if you’ve been sedentary or you’re trying to manage a chronic condition.
It is possible to enjoy the comforts of home while you maximise your workouts. A well-planned space and a balanced exercise program will help you to shape up faster than you expected.
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