Think of Your Home as a Personal Trainer
No home gym? No problem. With these small tweaks, your pad is still the ideal place to get inspired, get active and get fit
The hardest part about getting up and moving is actually finding the motivation to do so. Staying in bed away from the cold or cuddling up on the sofa in front of the TV can all seem much more pleasant than facing the prospect of going for a run on a Sunday morning.
While having a home gym might seem like the obvious solution, not everyone has the space or means for that luxury. However, some small changes can be more than enough to transform your home into a proper workout motivator. So take a look at these suggestions, and don’t be surprised when you suddenly find yourself looking forward to that core workout session.
While having a home gym might seem like the obvious solution, not everyone has the space or means for that luxury. However, some small changes can be more than enough to transform your home into a proper workout motivator. So take a look at these suggestions, and don’t be surprised when you suddenly find yourself looking forward to that core workout session.
Invest in an exercise ball
An exercise ball is a great addition for a more fitness-conscious lifestyle, particularly if you work from home or spend a good amount of time in front of your laptop. Sitting on an exercise ball instead of a chair can improve your posture and strengthen your core.
An exercise ball is a great addition for a more fitness-conscious lifestyle, particularly if you work from home or spend a good amount of time in front of your laptop. Sitting on an exercise ball instead of a chair can improve your posture and strengthen your core.
Get a standing desk
If you tend to work from home quite a lot and are physically able, a standing desk may be your best choice. The health hazards of excessive sitting – they can contribute to an expanding waistline, poor heart health and decreased energy – are well documented.
Installing a standing desk can be as easy as using a raised shelf or board as a desk. If you want to keep the option of sitting open, and you work on a laptop, install a second, lower shelf and use an exercise ball instead of a desk chair.
If you tend to work from home quite a lot and are physically able, a standing desk may be your best choice. The health hazards of excessive sitting – they can contribute to an expanding waistline, poor heart health and decreased energy – are well documented.
Installing a standing desk can be as easy as using a raised shelf or board as a desk. If you want to keep the option of sitting open, and you work on a laptop, install a second, lower shelf and use an exercise ball instead of a desk chair.
Find cute and functional storage
Crates and baskets are functional and stylish solutions for storing your yoga mat, weights and any other sundry exercise equipment. By putting them in baskets, the equipment is out of the way, but still visible enough to remind you it’s there for a reason.
Crates and baskets are functional and stylish solutions for storing your yoga mat, weights and any other sundry exercise equipment. By putting them in baskets, the equipment is out of the way, but still visible enough to remind you it’s there for a reason.
Start cleaning
It turns out that giving your home that overdue spring clean is actually a great workout as well! You can burn more than 180 calories by mopping the floor for 30 minutes, and scrubbing your bath for 15 minutes burns some 90 calories. Throw on some music, and you have a whole cardio routine right at your feet.
It turns out that giving your home that overdue spring clean is actually a great workout as well! You can burn more than 180 calories by mopping the floor for 30 minutes, and scrubbing your bath for 15 minutes burns some 90 calories. Throw on some music, and you have a whole cardio routine right at your feet.
Keep small weights where you can see them
By having small weights sitting around in areas where you’re mostly likely to loaf about (such as in front of the TV or computer), you’ll be more motivated to do at least a couple of arm curls while re-watching old episodes of Friends.
By having small weights sitting around in areas where you’re mostly likely to loaf about (such as in front of the TV or computer), you’ll be more motivated to do at least a couple of arm curls while re-watching old episodes of Friends.
Put up some motivation
Motivational posters and prints can help give you the extra push you need, whether you’re struggling through your third set of squats at home or are trying to hype yourself up to go to the gym.
A blackboard can also be a great source of motivation, since you can put up your favourite inspirational quotes, draw pictures and switch things up whenever you need something new to get you going.
Why don’t you say how you really feel?
Motivational posters and prints can help give you the extra push you need, whether you’re struggling through your third set of squats at home or are trying to hype yourself up to go to the gym.
A blackboard can also be a great source of motivation, since you can put up your favourite inspirational quotes, draw pictures and switch things up whenever you need something new to get you going.
Why don’t you say how you really feel?
Set a schedule
A workout routine should be a routine in every sense of the word, which means sticking to set times and days. Stay on top of your schedule by putting up a colourful calendar and marking out the days and times you plan to work out. Colourful markers and post-its will help to make you feel pretty guilty if you do decide to skip a session.
8 small fixes to make your life more organised
A workout routine should be a routine in every sense of the word, which means sticking to set times and days. Stay on top of your schedule by putting up a colourful calendar and marking out the days and times you plan to work out. Colourful markers and post-its will help to make you feel pretty guilty if you do decide to skip a session.
8 small fixes to make your life more organised
Put workout clothes on display
Imagine how you’d feel if this clothes rail were full of a careful edit of your workout gear instead of coats? Most of us need visual reminders and encouragement to keep us from becoming totally sedentary. Invest in a small clothing rack from which to hang your favourite exercise clothes, so they’re always visible and easily accessible.
By putting sporty attire on display, you’ll also be more likely to consider upgrading that ragged T-shirt into something more stylish, which in turn will make you more happy to work out. Win-win!
Imagine how you’d feel if this clothes rail were full of a careful edit of your workout gear instead of coats? Most of us need visual reminders and encouragement to keep us from becoming totally sedentary. Invest in a small clothing rack from which to hang your favourite exercise clothes, so they’re always visible and easily accessible.
By putting sporty attire on display, you’ll also be more likely to consider upgrading that ragged T-shirt into something more stylish, which in turn will make you more happy to work out. Win-win!
Don’t forget the music
Music is an integral part of any good workout, which is why it’s important to have a strategically placed sound system to accompany your routine. Yes, you could just play Spotify on your laptop, but an elegant sound system with high-quality speakers will set the mood much better.
Whether you’re listening to relaxing acoustics during your yoga session, some hip-hop for your core cardio exercises, or just getting yourself pumped up before heading out to your Zumba class, a good pair of speakers will ensure your heart rate gets going and you’re looking forward to getting active.
TELL US…
Do you work out at home? What are some ways you get yourself motivated to be more active? Share your tips in the Comments below.
MORE
Step Up Your Workout Zone With 10 Simple Additions
Work It Out: Plan a Home Gym No Matter the Space
Dream Spaces: Sink Into a Yoga Room
Music is an integral part of any good workout, which is why it’s important to have a strategically placed sound system to accompany your routine. Yes, you could just play Spotify on your laptop, but an elegant sound system with high-quality speakers will set the mood much better.
Whether you’re listening to relaxing acoustics during your yoga session, some hip-hop for your core cardio exercises, or just getting yourself pumped up before heading out to your Zumba class, a good pair of speakers will ensure your heart rate gets going and you’re looking forward to getting active.
TELL US…
Do you work out at home? What are some ways you get yourself motivated to be more active? Share your tips in the Comments below.
MORE
Step Up Your Workout Zone With 10 Simple Additions
Work It Out: Plan a Home Gym No Matter the Space
Dream Spaces: Sink Into a Yoga Room
You don’t need to have a separate gym room to be able to work out successfully in your home. Just make sure you designate a certain area – which can be as small as a corner – as your workout space, and make it as appealing as possible.
If you’ve always wanted to get into yoga, find a quiet corner with calm lighting and enough space for a mat. Add some incense and flowers to enhance the experience. If you’re short on space, all of these items can easily be set up and then put away again once you’re done with the workout.