Shedding the pounds and leading a healthier lifestyle was the number one New Year’s resolution for 2017. The results for 2018 are yet to be released, but I’m willing to bet my last coin losing weight will still top the charts.
Whether people actually achieve the resolution is another thing altogether, but they no doubt make an effort.
If you’re among this group of people, your first option certainly was to secure a gym membership and start breaking the sweat. Or if you’re an indoor aficionado who loves doing things alone, you likely chose home workouts.
In this article, we’re giving you tips for working out from home, so your efforts can be as effective as those in commercial gyms. Keep reading!
Draw a Workout Schedule
Fitness specialists will tell you that the secret to hitting your workout goals is consistency and putting your mind to it.
That’s correct, but it all begins with developing the perfect workout plan.
When you go to a commercial gym, you’ll typically have a fitness instructor at your disposal. This guy will evaluate your goals and develop a schedule for you. But when you choose to work out from home, it’s just you and your devices. Make use of them!
Today, there are all sorts of fitness apps and devices that can help you develop a workout plan. Typically, all you’ll need to do is key in your current weight and other parameters, as well as your goals, and wait for it to develop a custom plan.
With the plan ready, proceed to the next step.
Assemble the Right Equipment
The primary reason many people opt for commercial gyms is these facilities already have all the equipment needed to implement a workout routine that suits their needs.
Sure, you could buy the equipment for personal use, but after saving money for at least a decade. Is it worth it? Obviously not!
However, this does not mean you treat yourself to your own devices when you decide to workout from home. It’s fundamental to buy some basic exercise products, such as a yoga mat, kettlebells, adjustable dumbbells and a foam roller among others. Do some research and draw a list of all the basic products you need (depending on whether you’re into cardio or weights), and acquire them as soon as your finances allow.
Create a Dedicated Workout Space
Another of the most important tips for working out from home is to set aside space for your workouts.
We get it: the comfort and privacy of your own homes is unbeatable. You can have breakfast in bed, work from the couch and even dance in the kitchen.
While the flexibility to do whatever we want wherever we want is exciting, when it comes to working out you need to break that habit and create a dedicated workout space.
Why?
It’s all in the power of routine and environment. You’ll condition your brain that when you get to this space, it’s workout time. Besides, it’s just messy when exercise products are strewn all over your home.
It doesn’t matter whether you live in a 150 square feet studio or a small townhouse with a tiny backyard, with a bit of reorganization, you will always create a space to burn that fat.
Get Rid of the Distractions
These tips for working out from home won’t work for you if you allow distractions to get in the way.
When I say distractions, you’re probably visualizing two notorious preschoolers showing up in your workout space when you’re in the middle of a body-bending yoga, right?
Well, distractions aren’t only for people with kids. Even if you live alone, your cell phone can be a big distraction. A not-so-useful Facebook notification could pop up or someone can call. Even if you don’t break from the session to attend to the phone, it would’ve succeeded in stealing bits of your concentration.
As such, be sure to avoid distractions. Put your devices on silent and ensure your family members are aware that you don’t need any disturbance. A simple “Do Not Disturb” sticker on the door of your workout room can do the trick.
Music, Heck Yea!
The inherent link between music and mood has been the subject of study for many scientists and psychologists for decades. Music affects your mood. It evokes emotional energy and feelings of relaxation.
So, how do music and fitness relate? Good question.
One of the top challenges you will face as you chase your fitness goals is lack of motivation. This is especially severe for those working out from home.
You might be psyched up during the first few days, but soon after you will hit an inevitable slump. You’ll wake up feeling out of your depth, and it’s during such times you start looking up articles on how to be comfortable in your body!
Music could be all you need to avoid getting there.
Before you start your workout session, blast some music. Does 2017’s song of the summer Despacito raise your heartbeat? Listen to it. On playback, if you like.
Using music streaming apps like Spotify, you can create a playlist that will always get you motivated before hitting the “gym.”
Make Use of YouTube
Without the help of a fitness instructor, your grasp of various exercises is limited. You might easily find yourself repeating the same old moves till it gets boring. You’ll also be at risk of overworking a certain muscle group while underworking another.
This is why making using of YouTube is one of the most useful tips for working out from home.
A simple “exercises for weight loss” or “exercises for bulking up” search on YouTube will yield hundreds of results, from which you can choose videos that interest you. These videos typically have instructors, so you can easily follow along.
Plus, you’ll feel like you’ve got some company, and that’s as close to working out in a commercial gym as you can get.
Beyond YouTube, there are other digital resources that can help you have a successful workout. Gathering information about pre-workout products, for instance, will help you identify the best products to keep you energized throughout your sessions. Be sure to read more about this.
Put These Tips for Working Out from Home to Practice
Working out from home has its challenges, no doubt. But with the tips fleshed out in this article, you’ll soon find out that it can just be as effective and enjoyable as working out in the neighborhood gym.
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