At home workout tips to help you while your gym is closed.
I never thought I’d say this: but I desperately miss the gym.
The flexibility to take all sorts of classes. The access to lots of hefty gym equipment. The ability to get a workout in without any care or concern about the weather or time of day. The hot tub (I admittedly rarely use) and the sauna. The conversation between the ladies during my Saturday morning Pilates class.
All of the above are luxuries I took for granted and I definitely can’t wait to be able to return to my usual gym once things start to reopen. In the mean time? I’m doing what I can from home.
At Home Workout Tips
Last week, you may have caught a post where discussing how to stay positive during these negative times. One suggestion? To exercise regularly. Of course, with gym and recreation centers currently closed — that means we have to explore ways to workout at home.
Today, I’m sharing at home workout tips that can help you safely exercise in isolation. I’m admittedly not a fitness expert, but these are ways I’ve been managing to workout from home and hopefully they’ll be some use to you as well on your fitness journey.
Are you a beginner? That’s okay!! I’m definitely not a super amped-up person who is going to ask you to do 100 push-ups a day. Not at all, actually. All the at home workout tips you’ll find below are suited to everyone – no matter what fitness level you’re at.
Setup a Workout Space
First off. You’re going to need to clear a space that gives your body adequate room to move and stretch. This could be an open area in your living room, your bedroom, the basement – wherever.
Once you’ve found a workout space, put any at-home equipment you have there such as free weights, resistance bands, yoga mats, etc. Don’t have any at home workout equipment? Get creative! Use a rug as a mat, pull cans and jars from your pantry as make-shift weights and use a belt as a yoga strap.
Create a Motivating Workout Playlist
Music can be quite the motivator! And yes, while everyone’s tastes varies, I think we can all agree that an upbeat tune or power anthem can keep you going in your workout when you’d otherwise feel like giving up.
Current suggestions to include are The Weeknd‘s Blinding Lights or Dua Lipa‘s new album (particularly Physical)! I’ve also loved listening to classic Madonna hits like Express Yourself and Vogue as well as rock anthems from MUSE and Linkin Park. Sia and Pink also have some great power anthems to move to!
Hop on Spotify, Apple Music or Amazon Music and compile your favorite songs into the ultimate workout playlist.
Take Advantage of Great Weather
Getting outside is one of the best at home workout tips because it could truly be your big “outing” for the day. Being cooped up indoors can be quite taxing, so when the sun is shining – take your workout outdoors to get some fresh air.
Have a balcony or a deck? Set up your typical indoor workout there.
Or get outside and get on the move. Enjoy a walk or run while taking in all the sights around you. Challenge yourself to appreciate every sign of spring you come across! Checking out the tulips and all the spring blooms around you can really lift your spirits.
Wear an SPF Outdoors
For outdoor exercise, wearing an SPF is one of those at home workout tips that seems like a bit of a no brainer. But, you’d be surprised how many people will pop outdoors without thinking of applying some sun protection first.
When it comes to protecting my skin, I fit an SPF of 30 or more in by:
- Applying a daytime moisturizer with SPF (I like this one from CeraVe)
- Applying a tinted moisturizer or BB cream with an SPF
- Applying straight sunscreen
Do Free Workouts On YouTube
One of the best at home workout tips out there is to explore YouTube! Yes, there are any online classes you can join with a fee but there’s also a large library of FREE workouts available on YouTube. Save yourself the money and take advantage of all the free content that’s available for you.
Some great at home workout channels to watch on YouTube are:
- Blogilates: Wide variety of targeted exercises to get toned
- Caro Daur: Fun mix of HIIT workouts that fly by
- Yoga with Adrienne: Workout your mind and body with a library of yoga routines
- MadFit: Large selection of at home workouts with minimal or no equipment
- Popsugar Fitness: Intense workouts geared to maximize calories burned
Do a 20-Minute HIIT Workout
When I’m feeling particularly anxious or cooped up, I set the timer on my phone for 20 minutes and do a HIIT workout. It’s a great way to get exercise in while maximizing your time.
In a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workout, you alternate exercises with a short rest period between each one. Personally, I do 45 seconds of intense work – then 15 seconds of rest before the next exercise. This keeps my mind occupied while also preventing me from getting bored. Another bonus? If one exercise is particularly miserable, I take comfort in knowing I literally have just a few seconds left of it.
Exercise Suggestions for HIIT Workouts: Jumping jacks, mountain climbers, burpees, push-ups, planks, high knees, kicks, squats with a jump in between, crunches, etc.
Mix Up Your Workouts
Switching up your routine isn’t just one of my favorite at home workout tips – it’s one of my top tips in general. Even with my standard gym membership, I mix things up by attending different classes and following different routines on the machines.
Mixing up your workout routine is great for a few reasons:
- Keeps you from getting bored (hallelujah!)
- Challenges your body by engaging different muscle groups
- Prevents injury from overuse in the same routine
- Keeps your mind sharp and helps combat memory loss
Always End with a Stretch
One thing I notice about a lot of online workout videos? They often are quite skimpy when it comes to stretching at the end of the session!
I suggest tacking a good 7-10 minutes onto the end of your workout to thoroughly stretch all the muscle groups you used. This is a super effective way of preventing any soreness the next day! It’s also a really great way to unwind and let your body recharge and rest after your workout.
Need ideas on how to properly stretch? I really like this full-body stretch routine on YouTube!
What Are Your Top At Home Workout Tips?
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XOXO
Kelly
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