Working out at home has endless benefits, but it comes with several disadvantages. We all have a little space in our homes for a couple of dumbbells, a mat, and perhaps some more equipment. After the pandemic made us stay home, many people continued their fitness journey with home workouts.

With so many of us having jam-packed schedules, going to the gym may not always be possible. Parents might not get the time to juggle gym workouts with their professional and personal lives. Young professionals or entrepreneurs are too busy working during the daytime. Of course, some folks prefer to save on the traveling costs and expenses of a gym membership.

The Ease of Home Workouts

Working out at home is feasible. You don’t have to invest in a Jane Fonda workout tape or buy a DVD. There are many YouTube videos, demonstration videos by fitness instructors, and other sources to guide you. Whether someone is looking for Zumba, yoga, or Pilates classes, everything is available online.

What if you have no equipment at all? Search workouts requiring no equipment.

Want to target your belly fat? Look up some specific exercises for this purpose.

Likewise, if you’re creating a home gym, you can put up motivating pictures from stock photos, either depicting muscular physiques or meditation and yoga.

However, taking time out for home workouts during your daily routine can be challenging. You may find the days slipping by, the workout videos neglected, and your waistline slowly expanding. A lack of motivation can make you put off your home workouts, so now’s the time for a little boost. Here are some helpful tips that might help you commit to working out at home:

Set Up a Dedicated Space

Even if you live in a small apartment, try setting up a specific space for your exercise routines. Spread out that exercise mat and set up your equipment (if any) next to it. This practice will hopefully help you get into the workout zone every day.

Designate a proper place if you don’t have space for a mat. Clear a space of any wall decor or hanging plants. You can use the space for other tasks during the day, but keep it empty for workouts when it’s time.

Here are some spaces to look into for your home workouts:

• The spare or guest room
• The garage
• A corner in the basement
• A less-used portion of the living room
• An outdoor space if you have a backyard, porch, patio, or balcony
• Any empty spot in your bedroom

Remember, a dedicated space for your workouts means there should be nothing else: no dirty laundry piles, books, or knick-knacks. You don’t want to lose motivation by having a cluttered exercise space.

Make a Schedule and Stick to It

Theoretically speaking, a home workout should easily fit into your current schedule. After all, you spent a decent amount of time scrolling on your phone in between regular chores.

Unfortunately, a home workout needs more attention if you want it to be part of your routine. Starting a workout while waiting for a meal to cook isn’t the best idea; you’ll probably be taking frequent breaks to check on the stove/oven.

Now that you’ve decided to work out at home don’t just put it off until it seems you have time. Life won’t stop for anyone, so avoid procrastination and follow these steps:

• Plan your workout time like a daily meeting and take it as seriously as a work meeting.
• Plan the workouts–leg day, arm day, or some specific exercise to try out each day.
• Research and download some of the best fitness appsto track workouts, get reminders, and other advice.

It may take some time, effort, and willpower to start. However, home workouts are effective, so don’t give up.

Ensure Achievable Goals

If you’re planning to lose twenty pounds a week, do some research first. There’s probably no healthy way to achieve such goals, so tweak them a little. By setting unrealistic goals, you’d lose all motivation when they inevitably don’t pan out.

When planning your exercise regimen, consider all the factors influencing the results. Working out twice daily won’t be possible if you only have Sundays off, a demanding job, and small kids at home. The following tips should help you construct more attainable goals:

• Calculate and set some hours or minutes for one workout session
• Determine the most convenient days of the week to work out
• Consider how fit you are right now, and see how much you can take on without the risk of injury
• Keep trying something new; there are all kinds of exercises to try out, so you don’t need to get bored
• Strive to find exercises that you enjoy and incorporate them into your regular workouts

Remember that it’s an ongoing process when you’re trying to boost motivation for working out. Motivation levels can go up and down, but discipline will keep you on track. If you get stuck, read some expert tips for setting realistic fitness goals.

Of course, there’s no bigger motivator than seeing the results of exercising. Once you start to see your waistline shrink and feel some firmness in your body, the struggle will be worth it.

Invite Some Friends

Do you have friends or like-minded individuals who also want to try at-home workouts? Why not set up a couple of sessions at your place? Show them your progress so far and discuss future workout plans. You might get an accountability circle or partner to keep you on track.

Try online meetings if you don’t want anyone in your personal workout space. Set up a Zoom call with friends with similar fitness goals and see if you can all exercise together. This way, you won’t feel isolated while trying to maintain a home workout routine.

Conclusion

When you put your mind to it, these home workouts can be crucial to your fitness journey. Whether you want to lose weight, tone your body, or build muscle strength, there’s probably a workout video for these goals. You can connect with personal trainers and fellow fitness enthusiasts without leaving the comfort of your home: no more rushed, expensive gym sessions, no waitlists, and no cancellation fees. Your home responsibilities will always be there, but now is the time to consider yourself. Follow the tips above, and you’ll soon enjoy a regular workout routine.