The thought of working out from the comforts of home and never having to fight for a treadmill or deal with locker room stench again sounds like a dream to most. It can also be cheaper (no crazy gym fees) and easier (no gym commute), which is great when you’re on the go. For those not so athletically inclined, it can be a great way to ease into a fitness routine. For the sporty types, it’s a great way to stay in shape when you’re in a crunch.
Working out in your own space can also be a more relaxing experience than the stress of the gym. You don’t have to worry about how smelly you get on the treadmill or what face you make when doing push-ups. No one is there to see you! It can also be a great way to try out something that you might feel silly doing in public, like meditation or yoga. This makes working out an experience that’s truly just about you, your health and your happiness.
When it comes down to actually getting your sweat on at home, however, it's harder than it seems. Here are some tips as to how you can make getting off the couch and working out a breeze:
Get into a routine
We know it takes 21 days to make a habit. Well, if you really want to make fitness an easy part of your life, come up with a plan to make fitness a habit that fits seamlessly into your everyday schedule. If you work a regular 9-to-5 job, make it the first thing you do every time you come home. If you wash your hair twice a week, challenge yourself to do a workout right before you wash your hair. It’s going to take some commitment at first, but it’ll make working out at home so much easier as time goes on.
Have a plan
Making fitness at home a habit means you don't have to go out of your way to think about it every day. Take it one step further by creating a plan for yourself so you really take the thinking out of working out. You don’t need to be a personal trainer to come up with a plan. There are so many fitness plans already out there, such as the “Couch to 5K” running plans or the numerous 30-day squat challenges. These can help you keep track of your small successes on the road to that big goal. They’ll also give you more purpose every time you break out the yoga mat in front of the TV.
Do what you like
It’s already hard enough to work out at home when there are so many other easy, fun things to do. Don’t make it even harder by forcing yourself into something you don’t like. Use the thousands of free YouTube videos or workout podcasts to explore yoga, pilates, circuits and more to figure out what really gets you going. There’s a fitness routine out there for everyone. Don’t force yourself to become someone you’re not on your path to improving your health and self-confidence.
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Find a friend
It can be hard to balance work, fitness, relationships and your 500 other responsibilities. Instead of sacrificing one for the other, why not combine them? Skip happy hour and invite someone over for a night of yoga, wine and cheese. Maybe even find a friend who also loves Insanity or P90X and go over to each other’s places every Tuesday to do a workout together. It’s a cheap, fun way to spend quality time with a friend you will never regret. It also makes it a little less intimidating to try out new types of workouts. You can even help each other stay on the #workoutgrind.
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Use social media
Speaking of #workoutgrind, use your phone to help you achieve your fitness goals at home! You don’t have to be posting videos of your workouts to use Instagram or Facebook to keep you on track. Follow a fitness blogger on Snapchat or save some workouts you like to Pinterest. Maybe even use one of those apps meant just for fitness, such as Fitocracy or PumpUp. That way you can get inspired every day by others through new workout moves, inspirational messages and the online fitness community!
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Stay motivated
What gets you up in the morning? Is it the work you do at your job every day? Is it the community of people you’ve built around you? Try to tie your fitness into the things that already get you going. If you love your work, think about all the ways a healthier you will translate to a more productive person. If you love your friends and family, think about how a fitter you means a happier sister, partner, friend or daughter. After all, exercise not only helps with your physical health, but also mental health. Remember that staying fit isn’t just about achieving a bikini body, but rather helping unleash your full potential.