A home workout is a great way to reap the benefits of exercise with all the comforts of staying indoors. Many people don’t want to hit the gym due to high membership fees, inconvenience or discomfort around other people. Or, if the weather outside is less than ideal, a home workout allows you to stay on-track without moving past your doorstep.
What Can I Use for a Home Workout?
Despite their convenience, home workouts pose one very big concern: what do you need to be successful? It’s a common misconception that you will only lose weight with gym-like equipment such as a treadmill, elliptical or stationary bike.
As a matter of fact, effective workouts can be done with just about anything – including nothing! If you’re looking for some low-cost, easy equipment or props to get you started in your own home “gym,” see these tips below and modify them to fit your routine:
Dumbbells
A good quality set of dumbbells can do you a world of good. Find a set that fits your personal workout goals and will help you build/tone your muscles the way you want (i.e. what weight do you want to try?). It’s a good idea to invest in a variety of weights because your goals will likely change. Use your dumbbells in an isolated workout or even while you’re watching TV!
Don’t want to spend the money on a set of dumbbells? That’s okay too. Try water jugs, milk jugs, different sized canned goods or other moderately heave items in your household. Just make sure you keep the weight within your lifting range.
Resistance Bands/Tubes
These will make an excellent addition to your strength-training workouts. They’re also small and light enough to store almost anywhere! Resistance bands are versatile pieces of equipment that can work out your entire body.
Exercise Mat
An exercise mat will cost you almost nothing, but it’s a great asset to have. Use it while you’re stretching, warming up or cooling down. If you’re doing an exercise such as Yoga or Pilates, this will help support and protect your body while keeping sweat off your floor. Just like resistance bands, an exercise mat is easy to store and put away.
Exercise Ball
Though it’s not the best at covering up when not in use, exercise balls are a staple household item! They’re not only inexpensive but fun to keep around. Looking for ways to stretch effectively? They can help. Looking to strengthen and tone core muscles like those in your abdomen? An exercise ball can help with that too.
Jump Rope
It’s not just for children’s play! Jump ropes are an excellent cardio exercise because they’re fun, they burn a lot of calories and they work out your heart. Use one while you’re watching television or listening to music! Just make sure you have enough space around you to jump rope effectively. Some retailers even sell weighted jump ropes to increase resistance.
Your Environment
For this bullet point, we essentially mean… nothing! You don’t need a piece of equipment to help you get a good workout. Try using what’s around you as an aide such as the walls, chair or even a family member. So many core/balance workouts are perfected using props that are just “laying around.” If you have a friend or family member who is willing to help, they can help you exercise by acting as a machine or piece of equipment would have.
More Ways Your Home Can Help You Lose Weight
Your home is a sacred space and it’s probably where you feel the most comfortable. Looking for more ways that your home can help you on your weight management journey? CLICK HERE for a quick list of tips.
