If you’re new to fitness, it may feel like there are so many barriers to working out, developing a fitness plan, or hitting a weight loss goal: I don’t have time; I don’t know how to get started; I’m unmotivated; I’m afraid of looking ridiculous.
If any of these challenges sound familiar, then it’s helpful to find the path of least resistance to get started. One of the more successful ways to jump-start your fitness journey is by working out at home.
First, the bennies:
- Convenience. If you only have 10 minutes here and there to exercise, it’s no problem; you can work out at home any time of the day or night. There’s no need to pack up your gear and drive to the gym, which takes even more time that you may not have. And you don’t have to wonder whether your favorite workout class is open — you can just load up your guided Sworkout and get to it!
- Comfort. In the privacy of your own home, your “fitness gear” can be anything you want: your favorite ratty T-shirt or even your pajamas. You don’t have to worry about how you look in your gear or who’s going to see you make that “Holy s%^&, this is hard!” face while you’re getting your plank on. And that’s another benefit of working out at home: You won’t feel intimidated by unfamiliar equipment or other gymgoers.
- Cost. Cutting the gym out of the equation may also save you money, especially if you never go. It probably won’t surprise you to learn 44% of Americans say they pay for a gym membership but use it somewhere between never and less than twice a week. With gym memberships averaging $696 per year, spending on unused memberships is estimated at $1.8 billion.
- Commitment. With fewer hurdles to clear, it’s easier to stay motivated and stick to it.
There’s virtually no downside — you save time, save money, and save face. Working out at home offers a win-win alternative to the gym.
Get in the Best Shape of Your Life by Working Out at Home
Obviously, the best way to start working out at home is simply that: to start. But how do you achieve your weight loss, toning, strength, flexibility, or fitness goals with at-home workouts? We’ve got you. Here are some “lose weight, look (and feel) great”fitness tips for beginners at home.
First, before you even ask, yes, it’s totally possible — and effective — to work out at home without equipment. While exercise equipment or tools can be helpful, they’re not required. Bodyweight exercises yield great results and are easy for beginners to do safely. As you may have guessed from the name, these exercises use your body weight to provide resistance while working different muscle groups. As your strength and endurance grow, you can increase the repetitions or change positions to increase the level of difficulty.
To ensure you can maximize your workout efforts and stay motivated to work out at home, designate a space for working out. It doesn’t have to be fancy; you just need enough room to stand, lie down, and move your limbs. If you’re doing the exercises right, you’ll need the freedom to jump around, swing your arms, and extend your legs.
To do a good workout at home — or anywhere for that matter, aim for activities that get your heart rate up to 80% of its max rate and keep it there for at least 12 minutes with only minor rest breaks.
If you’re ready to get to swork, here are nine amazing at-home workouts — from full-body, butt, and abs to strength training and moves to reverse the negative effects of sitting.
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It’s normal to be nervous about tackling something new or something you’ve tried and failed at in the past. But to start a workout routine at home and achieve your weight loss goals, don’t worry about being perfect. Just get going. You can tweak the plan as you learn what works.
Have questions about working out at home or fitness in general? Sworkit’s certified fitness trainers are more than happy to answer them. In your Sworkit app’s main menu, navigate to the Help Center, then click on the “Ask a Trainer” link to get one-on-one advice from a real trainer.
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