Whether you’re new to working out, or you’ve decided to make it a priority after an extended break, beginning a new exercise routine can be pretty overwhelming. Add in factors like a busy full-time job, a family and/or fur babies, league tennis and drills, and honestly… who can blame you for not wanting an expensive gym membership if more than likely, life will get in the way?
Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can not only start but maintain an effective fitness routine from the comfort of your own home. Using our navigation bar below, scroll through the 10 best tips we’ve gathered straight from trainers to help you slowly but surely whip yourself into competition shape 🙂
1. Build the Habit Into Your Daily Routine
Starting an effective home workout routine is not as easy as turning on a video or purchasing a shiny new piece of workout equipment. Here’s some excellent advice from George Foreman III (yes, his dad is THAT George Foreman!), a boxing coach and founder of EverybodyFights in Boston.
“If you really want to succeed with a long-term program, start with a small commitment to something you can do anywhere. Build this small commitment into your morning and evening routines, right before something you would never start your morning or go to sleep without doing.” For example, every morning and evening before brushing your teeth, perform 20 push-ups and 20 squats. “Eventually your body will crave the activity and it will be hard to start and end your day without it.”
2. Physically Designate a Workout Space at Home
Another great tip from Foreman is that once you’ve established a routine of exercising at home, designate a small workout space in your home to help keep you in the mindset of continuing this habit. In addition to storing your fitness equipment in this area, you can personalize it by adding an accent wall or painting the room a different color. Or maybe you’d rather keep it simple and hang a motivational quote or two on the wall.
3. Find an Online Video You Love
If you’re not familiar with exercising but want to work out regularly at home, there are tons of awesome online videos to help you get started. Victoria Nolan, a certified personal trainer at Suite Time Fitness in Houston says, “You can find videos that will take you through yoga, HIIT, postpartum toning, strength training and more with very minimal equipment. These videos will take you through a warm up and a cool down routine that you may be more likely to skip if yo were to do it solo.” FYI, Tennis Life Magazine has lots of great videos to choose from 🙂
4. Make Someone Keep You Accountable
For many people, the idea of disappointing someone is enough to keep them from breaking their workout plans. So be consistent in making workout plans with a friend or trainer to come workout with you at home. Similarly, “Even committing to home workouts with online trainers can prove to do the trick and inspire you to say consistent,” Foreman said.
5. Invest in a Few Pieces of Equipment
You’d be amazed at how purchasing a few pieces of gear (such as an exercise mat, some free weights, and resistance bands) to outfit your home gym can make all the difference in maintaining a routine. “You can get a complete full body workout without having to spend a lot of money on weights or even needing a large space to exercise,” Nolan said. “People tend to discount how effective resistance bands, which cost about $30 for a full set, and bodyweight exercises can be.”
6. But Keep the Equipment Minimal
Foreman recommends minimizing the equipment you use at home, adding that when you do use training tools at home you shouldn’t base your entire routine on them. For example, if you find yourself away from your home gym, it will be easy for you to make the excuse to break from your routine because you “need” your tools to workout. “Use home gym equipment to enhance your workout, or to mix things up every so often, but don’t let them become the centerpiece of your routine. Try to use things you can easily find at a hotel gym when you’re on the road.”
7. Invest in Quality Activewear
While you definitely don’t need the most expensive athletic apparel out there, what you wear to work out does matter. You are much more likely to stick with an exercise routine if you wear clothing that is comfortable and functional, such as pieces made with dry-fit or sweat-wicking fabrics. “Invest in apparel that makes you feel comfortable, empowered and ready to train hard the same way you would at the gym,” Foreman said.
8. Know That an At-Home Workout Can Be as Hard as You Want It to Be
You don’t need fancy machines to complete a hard workout that leaves you feeling sore and strong. Nolan recommends squat overhead presses because they are simple, yet effective moves that help strengthen your entire body. Nolan also recommends banded kickbacks for activating and strengthening your glutes. These two moves alone are game changers… literally!
9. Don’t Be Afraid to Do a Lot of Push-Ups
“There are so many ways to do push-ups, whether it’s on an incline or decline, on your knees, on a wall, or with different hand positions,” Nolan said. Truth be told, no matter which way you choose, the exercise is challenging.
Nolan’s favorite is the scapular push-up. Get in a plank position, keeping your arms as straight as you can. Sink your chest toward the floor then push your upper back up toward the sky. Repeat 10 to 15 times. “Focus on the area between your shoulder blades, this is where the work is happening, tummy is held tight and hips are held in line with your upper body,” she said. “If you’re very new to exercise, this can also be done against a wall.”
10. Download a High-Intensity Interval Training Workout App
“If you already have a home routine and are looking to switch it up a little, there are many free HIIT workout apps you can download on your phone,” Nolan said. “You can set your work to rest intervals, as well as sets. It’s a great way to get your heart rate up while focusing on strength work.” She recommends a traditional Tabata format of 20 seconds work, 10 seconds rest, performed eight times. “What you do with those 4 minutes is up to you, but I like to alternate between two exercises (for example, kettlebell squats and push-ups), to keep it interesting,” she said.
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