As someone who works remotely, I understand the struggle of finding time to hit the gym. That’s why I’ve found home workouts to be a great way to stay fit while juggling a busy schedule. I’ve learned a lot from my own experiences and want to share my tips for how to start working out at home, and the mistakes I’ve made along the way, so you can avoid them.
My experience with home workouts
Personally, I’ve found it easier to start working out privately at home as it lowers the entry barrier and reduces stress related to being a fitness beginner. I wasn’t proud of my sedentary lifestyle and being out of fitness practice for a few years already with all the related insecurities that I’m sure many of us girls can relate to. To turn things around, I was looking to build a routine that would help me achieve my specific fitness goals in the most efficient way as well as be maintainable long term.
I developed a 30-minute home workout routine for myself that includes vacuum exercises, plank workouts, light cardio, and butt workouts. Through consistency, I’ve seen significant results in less than two months. Combining this routine with healthy eating, I’ve lost 7 pounds and 2.5 inches from my waistline. Not only did I notice significant improvements in my in my targeted areas like jelly belly and lowering buttocks, but overall started to both look and feel much more fit.
1. Be reasonable with the time you are willing to invest long term
Prior to starting a workout routine, it is important to be honest with yourself about the amount of time you realistically have available to dedicate to this endeavor. This is crucial for overall success. In the past, I made the mistake of aiming for hour-long workouts, but I could only find time for it about once every 2 weeks. Needless to say, this approach didn’t get me anywhere. Therefore, it’s essential to first determine the minimum amount of time you are willing to commit daily and then consider what effective activities you can do within this time frame. In my case, I realized that committing to 30 minutes a day was the maximum I could handle consistently. Once I sorted out this question, choosing specific workouts became much easier.
2. Set clear fitness goals
Once you have established the amount of time you can dedicate, it’s time to clarify your objectives. Are you looking to lose weight, gain muscle, increase endurance, or improve flexibility? Setting specific goals within your designated timeframes will allow you to track your progress more effectively and manage your expectations realistically. Clear fitness goals will also help you customize your workout plan and keep you motivated. For example, I focused on reducing my waistline, strengthening my core, and toning my glutes. I chose exercises that target these areas, such as plank workouts, quick cardio sessions, and specific glute exercises.
3. Create a dedicated workout space
Having a designated workout area helps improving your focus and maintain a consistent exercise routine. This space could be a spare room, a corner in your living room, or even a section of your garage. Ensure that it’s tidy, free of clutter, and stocked with the necessary workout equipment. The key is to have enough space for your needs, depending on the equipment you plan to use. In my case, I needed enough room to lay out my yoga mat and move my arms and legs freely without the risk of injury. If you’re interested in trying wall yoga or exercises that require open wall space, make sure you have the space available before signing up for a class. This may seem obvious, but I once purchased a yoga class only to find out that I didn’t have enough wall space to do the exercises.
4. Invest in essential equipment, outfits & accessories
You can do many workouts with just your body weight, especially at the beginner level. As you progress, you can incorporate basic equipment such as dumbbells, resistance bands, and a stability ball to enhance your routine. However, it’s important to invest in a few items early on from a functional and motivational standpoint. The most important one is a good quality fitness mat. Pick a thick, nice one to make your workouts and exercises go smoothly and comfortably. Going for the color and design you like adds aesthetic pleasure to your home workouts.
Personally, I also bought a killer-looking outfit that made me look more fit and stylish – changing into it always helps me get in the mood. Comfort is paramount, so make sure you’ve got a good sports bra with the right level of support and a pair of good sneakers, especially if you are doing cardio moves. Investing in specialized gear makes it easier to perform various active moves and also helps prevent disomfort and injuries.
5. Start slowly and progress gradually
Avoid jumping straight into intense workouts. Be as raw as possible with estimating your current fitness level. If you are a beginner – start with easy beginner-friendly exercises, but make sure you gradually increase the intensity and duration. Don’t forget to incorporate rest days to allow your muscles to recover. This approach can help prevent injuries and allow your body to adjust to the new routine. You can create a fintess plan on your own or join a program designed to gradually increase intensity over time. For example, I’ve chosen the Plank Workout app for my plank exercises. It offers 30-day programs for different levels, starting with easier workouts and gradually increasing complexity while also including rest days. This way, I can trust the process and be confident that I’m doing enough.
6. Stay consistent and embrace rest days
Consistency is key to see results from your workouts. Creating a workout schedule that fits your lifestyle and sticking to it is crucial. Consistency helps build a habit, which is essential for long-term success. It’s important to pick realistic time slots that you can consistently allocate on most days and choose the right level of intensity to avoid fatigue and exhaustion. Rest days are also important for maintaining consistency. It’s okay to take purposeful breaks, as life can be unpredictable. Getting back into your routine after a break is also a useful habit on its own. Personally, I used to only exercise for a few days and then stop completely after a sudden break. Intentional rest days helped me cultivate a habit of consistent exercise.
7. Take a wholistic approach
Your diet and hydration are crucial for your fitness journey. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after workouts. Also eat a balanced diet rich in protein, and healthy fats to fuel your workouts and aid recovery. In addition to developing healthy eating habits, I also take various supplements like L-Lysine and engage in daily walking and stair climbing to support my overall level of activity outside my home workouts. It’s not just the 30 minutes of dedicated fitness that matter; your daily routines and habits overall also contribute to your progress.
Make sure to incorporate various healthy habits into your day to support your progress. One of the activities I enjoy the most is jumping and dancing to my favorite EDM tunes. I do it in the morning or whenever I need an energy boost. It boosts my dopamine and mood and sets the tone for the rest of the day. Find at least one such activity you enjoy and add it to your daily routine.
Conclusion
Starting working out at home is a great way to take control of your fitness journey. By considering these 7 factors, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your fitness goals safely and effectively. Remember to stay consistent, listen to your body, and enjoy the process. Personally, I noticed that home workouts are a great option for incorporating physical activity into your busy day-to-day life with a much lower entry barrier compared to starting gym workouts. Another useful observation for me was that this process has a snowball effect, and once you start sticking to at least 1 or 2 easy routines but take them seriously, you will gradually want to add more to your day!
Using fitness apps, particularly task and habit trackers, may also be helpful to track your progress and acknowledge your achievements to help sustain your motivation over time. Whichever path you choose, being raw and honest with your starting point, taking holistic approach and cultivating uninterrupted consistency will take you a long way. Try it and you’ll see amazing results before you even know it!
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