With the pandemic ongoing, many people have ditched their gym memberships and decided to stay home. Working out in a mask is challenging, especially for people who aren’t yet fit.
Working out at home gets rid of the mask problem, but it creates new challenges. You no longer have access to expensive gym equipment and it’s far more difficult to stay motivated.
You can get fit without ever leaving your living room as long as you stick with it. We’re here with a few fitness and exercise tips to help get you started. Read on to learn more.
1. Know Your Goals (and Keep Track)
Before you can start getting fit, you need to determine what “fit” means to you. What exactly are you trying to accomplish with your workout routine and fitness regimen?
For many people, “getting fit” means losing weight. This might seem like a good goal at first, but is it exactly what you want? Are you trying to lose weight or trying to lose fat specifically?
Some people may be trying to gain weight to get fit. They want muscular bodies that require more fuel and effort.
Your goals shouldn’t all be aesthetic (though there’s nothing wrong with starting with aesthetic goals). Consider your health and what’s best for your body as a whole. A fit body is a body that’s strong and functional.
Once you know your goals, write them down so you can start tracking your progress.
A tip: If your goal is fat loss, avoid tracking your weight every day. Weight fluctuations are normal, and the number on the scale isn’t always a good representation of your progress.
2. Start Slow
If this is your first time trying to get fit, don’t try to hit the ground running right away. Start slow and scale up from there. If you try to go beyond your capabilities when you first start, you can end up burning out or experiencing injuries that can slow down your progress.
If you want to gain strength, start with bodyweight exercises. You can get strong with only bodyweight exercises, but even if you plan on using weights later on, starting with only your body weight will train and prepare your muscles.
If you’re trying to boost your cardio, start with brief walks or jogs around your neighborhood or a local park. Over time, you’ll be able to increase the intensity of your workouts and go for runs.
3. Use Online Resources
It’s easier than ever to get fit at home with the abundance of online resources and at home workouts that you can access from your phone or computer. Take advantage of them! Plenty of trainers and online “fitness gurus” have uploaded exercise content during the pandemic.
You can follow along with videos or read simple instructions to start your workouts with professional guidance. It’s the next best thing to having a personal trainer or attending a group fitness class.
4. Buy Simple Equipment
After you feel comfortable with your bodyweight workouts, consider buying a few pieces of equipment to upgrade your fitness routine.
Building muscle is easier and more efficient with weights. We recommend getting a set of adjustable dumbells. They can scale with your fitness level and they’re good for a wide variety of exercises.
If you’re interested in cardio machines, consider a classic treadmill or indoor cycling machine. You can splurge on more expensive models, but you’ll likely have luck finding older models on your local buy and sell pages (or even in thrift stores).
If you’re looking for simpler items, even a few ankle weights and fitness bands will upgrade your workouts in a big way!
5. Modify Workouts for Your Needs
While you’re watching your workout videos, you might discover that some exercises are either above your skill level or too easy for you. When you’re working out at home, this isn’t a problem. It’s easy to make modifications.
For example, if an exercise requires jumping, but you have joint issues or downstairs neighbors, trade the jumps for calf raises or squats.
If the workout routine is bodyweight-only and you don’t feel like it’s enough of a challenge, there’s nothing stopping you from adding a dumbbell to make it more difficult.
6. Diversify Your Workout Routine
Don’t get caught in a workout rut. If you want to get fit, diversify your exercise routine and try a variety of things. Not only will this give you better results, but it will also reduce burnout and help you find something that you really enjoy.
You want to make sure that you’re spending time doing cardio, strength training, and stretching if you want a healthy body. Too many people choose one category and neglect the others because they have a specific aesthetic goal. Trust us: you’ll reach your goals faster if your routine is well-rounded.
We recommend finding time every day to stretch. This can mean an early morning yoga session or a post-workout deep stretch. Try to do strength training and some form of cardio a minimum of three times per week.
7. Remember: Abs Are Made in the Kitchen
Even the best fitness tips for working out at home won’t compete with a bad diet. You don’t have to restrict yourself or stick with a fad diet, but make sure that you’re getting proper nutrition while you’re working out.
Your ideal nutrition will depend on your personal fitness goals and your current body type. If you’re building muscle, you’re going to want to eat more calories than someone who is trying to exclusively lose weight, for example.
A clean and balanced diet is the key to a healthy and fit lifestyle.
You Can Get Fit Without the Gym
While getting fit is never as easy as it looks, you can now do it from the comfort of your own home and make it fit into your schedule.
Use online resources and apps to get started. You don’t need anything else aside from your own body and some clothes that you can work out in. If you’re diligent, you’ll get fit and healthy before you know it.
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