How to Get Into Shape Without Leaving the House
A gym membership is a great way for many people to get active and connect with other fitness enthusiasts, but others may find that it isn’t the best option. Maybe you’re a parent who can’t leave the kids by themselves, you don’t have enough time, or you simply can’t afford a subscription. You’re not alone! Luckily, there are actually a number of ways you can work out at home and see fantastic results from your efforts.
Go Online
If you don’t know where to start, check out videos and articles on the internet that outline effective exercises to help you achieve the ideal body shape. Even if you have a sound knowledge base (maybe you’ve done a couple of personal training sessions or group classes), it’s worth doing some research to make sure your technique is correct and find ways to challenge yourself.
Use Your Body Weight
To get a good workout, you don’t necessarily need extra equipment to get fit! Many people forget that you can easily utilise your body weight to strengthen and tone various areas of your body. There are countless trainers who share videos online that outline different movements. You’d be surprised how much simple exercises such as burpees, squats and lunges can really burn when repeated! Plan yourself a circuit in the backyard and incorporate your favourite exercises to start shaping up. Planning in advance means you have a set goal and time for the workout and you’ll avoid running out of ideas prematurely – this is where your research really kicks in.
Use Small Equipment
Step it up a notch by integrating small equipment into your fitness routine. Simple movements can be made much harder by adding extra weight. Think about purchasing some dumbbells or weight plates to make your muscles really work. For your cardio workouts, a skipping rope is a fantastic (and often underrated) accessory that doesn’t require you to go anywhere. And sometimes you don’t even need to buy anything new – a number of everyday household items can be re-purposed to aid your exercise routine. Grab a chair from your dining room and work on triceps, chest and back with chair presses, utilise some old textbooks as weights, or even just run up and down the stairs – don’t be afraid to get creative!
Invest in Bigger Equipment
Create the feeling of a gym at home by investing in some fitness equipment. Old favourites such as treadmills, elliptical machines and exercise bikes are fantastic and can be set up in front of the TV for an entertaining cardio session. Or maybe you’re into boxing? Look to specialist retailers such as Fitness Market for a wide range of machines and fitness accessories that will fulfil any need. It may initially cost a bit more, but there’s no doubting the payoff will be amazing. When using these and other equipment, make sure to read the safety guidelines and conform to them.
Stay Motivated!
Even though you’re at home, it’s still important that you schedule in your exercise time. You might even want to think about grabbing a workout buddy and turning your weekly hangs into something more productive. It also helps to write down your goals and tick them off (or give yourself a treat!) when you reach each one to remind yourself of your journey and motivation.
No gym? No problem! Follow this handy guide and you’ll be fit, toned and feeling good in no time at all. What’s your favourite workout to get in shape at home? Tell all about it in the comments below!