Working out at home is a way of exercising that has grown in popularity over the past few years, as people recognise that being active doesn’t have to be confined to the gym.
Sometimes getting out the door and to the gym can be the biggest barrier to exercise – so by removing this and working out at home it should be plain sailing – right?
Although working out at home scores high on the convenience factor, it can also come with its own unique challenges. Here’s our top tips for working out at home.
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Schedule it
Treat the workout as you would if you were leaving the house – plan it into your day before anything else and ensure that other people know you won’t be available during this time. A study by the British Journal of Health Psychology found that people who actually wrote down a plan for their exercise were 91% successful in following through with their intentions.
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Look the part
Just because you’re in the privacy of your own home, it doesn’t mean you should chuck on whatever clothes you find strewn across your floor. Invest in some workout gear and footwear (ladies a supportive sports bra is a must), not only is activewear designed to be exercised in, studies have also shown that the clothes someone is wearing can cause mental triggers than can positively affect their performance.
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Find your space
One of the biggest downsides to working out at home, is precisely that – it’s not a dedicated space to exercise but your haven of comfort! That’s why it’s important to find a space in your house that is suitable for you to perform whichever exercise you want to do. This might mean your garage or shifting some furniture around your lounge –or if the weather is good, even the garden! Make sure you have all the equipment you need on hand.
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Find something you love
Just like any form of exercise, one of the most important elements is finding something that you love and look forward to doing at home. Thanks to the wide range of free at home workout videos available, it’s also possible to add as much variety into your routine as you would if you were attending different classes as a MoveGB member – and as we know this is the key to staying active.
