Have you gotten off track on your exercise program? Maybe it’s time to rethink where you workout.

My Home Gym! Dog not included.

Benefits of Working Out from Home

We all know that exercise will make us stronger, healthier, reduce our stress, energize and help us live longer.  So why is it so hard for many of us to stick to a program and go to the gym with consistency?

I used to be a very faithful gym rat but over time due to my work schedule, dog walking, and just life stuff, I have found that working out at home is a much better fit for me and it’s far more effective and efficient.  Plus, just the thought of doing 30-minutes on an elliptical trainer makes me cry. 😊

With colder weather and the busy holiday season coming, it’s time to re-look at your workout options and figure out a better way to make it work for you. 

Here are my top reasons for working out at home. 

Easy way to get in Mini Workouts
Mini workouts are a great way to reboot your exercise routine if you haven’t been going to the gym for a while or if you rarely workout.  Our normal plan of attack when we start up an exercise program is to go overboard and force yourselves to 30 – 60-minute gym sessions  But if you commit to doing smaller exercise sessions you will be more likely to stick with it over time. 

First, it’s easier to convince yourself to do something for five minutes rather than 30, especially if you’ve been off your workout grind for a while. Beyond that, you are slowly starting to condition your mind to put health front and center and getting your body use to moving, which will help build motivation over time.

Committing to shorter workouts that last 5 – 15 minutes at home will cut out your excuses of not having time to workout.  Who doesn’t have 5 minutes to workout.  You can always ramp up over time.  So, if your main excuses for not working out are, ‘I can’t make it to the gym, I don’t have 30 minutes to work out, where do I start?’ Start with a mini workout.

So, what is a mini workout? It could be squats or crunches while you’re watching TV or a walk around the block. These movements are small but over time you can keep building on more time and movements as your brain and body start building the habit of working out. 

Need a little more structure for your mini workout?  That’s easy, just download an app. There are a ton of free apps that have mini workouts.  No equipment needed. Do a search for workout apps and download a few to get you started.  Here are some of my favorites.

Workout for Women Fitness App   
Sworkit  
Popsugar 
7 Minute Workout  
There is even one for kids.  7-minute workout for kids 

Amazon Prime members have access to 15-minute body-weight workouts from Fitness Maggie

You can workout in shifts.
Are you already in the habit of doing longer workouts consistently but your life is getting in your way? Working out at home lets you break up the day if you need to.  Some days are just out of your control and taking time to drive the gym and commit to at least a 30-minute workout is just not going to happen. 

You can divide up your work-out into 10-minute segments broken up during the day.  Much better option than all or nothing. 

It's easy to tack on a meditation.
Gyms are not a great place to meditate but at home you can work in a short meditation.  If you are new to it, google 10-minute meditation to get you started. Amazon Prime also has meditation videos.

Fitness happens in the kitchen - You can’t out exercise a bad diet
All of us would be better off investing more thought, planning and time into what we put into our bodies instead of how we move our bodies.  Working out at home gives you a little more time in the kitchen.

Our health is eighty percent attributed to what we eat. So why not invest our hard-earned dollars and time where it matters more – in the kitchen?    Need help?  Reach out for a free nutrition consult. 
 
Setting up a home gym

Finding a space
Space should be your starting point.  You can start with a corner in your basement or living room.  Maybe clean out that spare room.  There is no need to wait for the “ideal” space to become available. Home gyms are very versatile and can be designed to fit your space.

Organization
When creating your space, one thing to keep in mind is organization, both for practicality and for safety. If you’re working out at home in a shared space like your living room, smart storage solutions can help to keep the area uncluttered and keep everyone from bumping into equipment strewn about the place.

Low cost options
There is a ton of basic equipment that packs a powerful punch and is a great starting point for everyone.

Start with what you have. Your phone and your body.  Body-weight exercises using a free exercise app or  a video from a streaming service you already have. Both Amazon and Netflix have workout videos included in their service.

Sliders are a great way to add more challenge to simple moves like lunges, push-ups and mountain climbers.  I just use furniture sliders that I already had. No need to invest in ones just marketed for exercising.  There are a ton free online videos out there.  Here is one to get you started: Slider Video

Resistance bands or loops come in a variety of resistance, easy to store and easy to pack, which makes them a must-have when you want to keep up with your workouts when you’re traveling.  Band Workout Video

A yoga mat and a stability ball are great additions.  Yoga mats takes up very little space and will give you a comfortable surface to work out on.  Stability balls are a fantastic tool for core training, but also be used in lieu of a bench for exercises such as dumbbell chest presses and back extensions.

If you’re working with a slightly bigger budget, hand weights and kettlebells are great investments.  To get a great deal, look for used or second-hand options in your area

So, what does my home gym look like?
I gave up my gym membership over 10 years ago, so I have a lot of time to build mine up. But I just have the basics and it works great for me.  Here is a quick video of my set up.

Bottom line: do what feels right for you.
Whatever you choose, what’s most important is honoring the one body you were given to live in and explore in.

"Take care of your body.  It's the only place you have to live" - Jim Rohn

Got a great home workout area?  Please share your pictures or what works for you.